Abstract

"You just can't let them do anything anymore you know..." · Why is risk important in children's play? · How can we protect children's right to play and protect children at the same time? · What is risk-benefit assessment and how can it help - rather than hinder - adults who work where children play? 'The Busker's Guide to Risk' explores why risk shouldn't be a four letter word when it comes to children's play. It starts from the right of children to play in a way that involves not only physical, but also social and emotional risk, and supports adults in developing a practical approach to balancing the need to protect children with the benefits of play.
Shelly Newstead is Managing Director of Common Threads Publications Ltd, a social enterprise which aims to develop playwork practice. She is also Managing Editor of the Journal of Playwork Practice and Vice-President of the International Committee for Children's Play. Shelly is the series editor of 'The Busker's Guides' series. She lives in the UK.
As Training Manager for QCAN (the peak body for school age care in Queensland, Australia), I am always on the lookout for information written in a clear, concise, relevant and easy to read format. Reading this edition of The Busker's Guide to Risk reinforced to me the need for a common sense approach to allowing children to experience risk. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a realist view to approaching risk in children's play.
Joanne Jackson, Training Manager, Queensland Children’s Activities Network
Humorous, clear and concise, this book highlights the importance of maintaining confidence in our own professional judgements to make play safe enough rather than risk free, reminding us that it is the 'close encounters with risk', vital to children's development and learning, which make play fun!
Alison Chown, Play Therapist, trainer and author of Play Therapy in the Outdoors: Taking Play Therapy out of the Playroom and into Natural Environments
Adults need to be able to balance the need to protect children with the benefits of practical risk taking in play. This humorous, clear and concise book helps you to do just that. practitioners will find it and extremely user-friendly pocket-sized guide to dip in and out of as they learn to facilitate children's risk taking and to feel more comfortable about it at the same time.
Martine Horvath
eye (Early Years Educator)
This is a great practical book on risk in children's play for professionals. Playworkers, and all other adults who work with children, will find the illustrative explanations useful. The information in this book will have direct effect on play practice, hopefully influencing a positive attitude towards risky play.
Martin van Rooijen, former coordinator of the adventure playground team, PhD researcher on risky play, Utrecht, the Netherlands