Why We Don't Do Risk Assessments
Photograph by Alix Clarke Photography
Yes, you read that right. We don’t focus on the risks associated with children learning from the natural world.
But let me assure you, we are not reckless cowgirls set on harming children.
Anyone who works with children knows that a risk assessment matrix is seen as the be-all and end-all when it comes to proving your duty of care to children, parents, and insurers.
NO-ONE wants to be the person who signed off on something that ended in a lawsuit.
But that’s just it, isn’t it?
The wave of lawsuits that happened in the mid-90s from playground injuries have had that roll-on effect in society with:
a) no-one wanting to be ‘the person’ deemed responsible and
b) a generation of cotton wool children
Overprotected in childhood and growing adults with no confidence, no problem-solving skills, and poor coping skills when they’re faced with failure.
Because they were never given an opportunity to explore these skills in childhood.
So how do we get around this?
How do we cover our bases, lose our own fears of the ‘risk assessment’ paperwork and still give children REAL life learning opportunities?
We MUST focus on the Risk Benefits.
And by adding this important part to our process we can differentiate the difference between real risks and perceived risks.
For example, many learning facilities remove sticks because of the risks associated with ‘pointy ends’.
But we have to ask ourselves how is a sharp pencil different to a stick?
Both can poke your eye out!
But we don’t take pencils away from children in the classroom….
So why do we take away sticks when children are at play?
Instead of taking away this ✅ Cheap ✅ Free ✅ Natural ✅ Sustainable ✅ Open-ended ✅ Imaginative play resource
We can put in control measures and teach children safety guidelines to minimise the hazards.
And if we can guide them on how to navigate the untamed natural world and their social-emotional skills while they play as children.
Then they will grow into adults with skills that will help them problem solve and bounce back after life’s ups and downs.
And who doesn’t want that?
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