Early Childhood Education - risky play

Through VU Play (pop up play in public places), loose parts play, and post humanist understandings of place, VU is building strength in examining and understanding the role of risky play. Our research focuses on play, the ethics of play, and play in urban places. This project on risk and safety identifies and analyses how risk is perceived and understood in different contexts. It explores how these understandings of risk, hazard and safety in Early Childhood contexts shape the way we think about children and communities, and consequently influence policy. As a society, our ideas of risk are often uncritically accepted, yet influence the development of playgrounds and public spaces and children's and families' opportunities to access experiences. This project provides a close analysis of what shapes our views of risk, and a deep analysis of what risk is and how it impacts children's growth and wellbeing.