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"When two do the same thing, it is not the same thing after all." - Publilius Syrus in Moral Sayings

Safety vs Risk in Play

In an article, "Safety Issues: How to keep children safe yet allow some risks necessary for learning," in the September 2002 issue of Exchange, Amelia Gambetti from Reggio Emilia, discusses the issue of safety vs risk:

"When we manipulate different kinds of materials and tools, is there the risk of getting hurt? Certainly there is, but is it by avoiding them that we will never get hurt? Talking about life in general, is it by avoiding risks that we avoid problems? Can educators control children so that they do not get hurt? Can they exercise such control and still help children to become more aware of their own actions so that children learn to control themselves and their friends? Can adults and children, collaborating together, become partners in learning about problems, solutions, maybe lessons of life? Are the adults the ones who have to allow children to take risks necessary for learning, by continuing to keep in their hands the guidance of the situation or can this be changed?

"No matter what we do, risks will be always in front of us. We, as educators, can learn along with the children, that risks are part of our life and that together we can face them and not be scared of them. Maybe by doing so, we can reinforce the construction of our identities and of our personalities. Risks, difficulties, problems and their solutions, challenges, our reactions to negative and positive situations are part of ourselves from the beginning of our lives - no matter if we recognize it or not.

"I believe in the importance to give credit to children; to give credit to human beings. We all are capable of seeing the weakest and the strongest part of ourselves. We are capable of expressing our opinions, recognizing our mistakes, and using both as a resource rather than a frustration to solve problems, to overcome difficulties, and to welcome risks. The more we become aware of this complexity, the more we learn about the difficult job of living a life."

This article along with another 19 articles on play are available on the Exchange Articles on CD collection on Play. This week, all Articles on CD collections are on sale. Check this out at: http://mail.ccie.com/go/eed/0460

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