Risky outdoor play in the early years: how are parental and practitioner perceptions of danger and benefits associated with young children's outdoor play experiences? - 2025
Risky outdoor play in the early years: how are parental and practitioner perceptions of danger and benefits associated with young children's outdoor play experiences?
Risky outdoor play in the early years how are parental and practitioner perceptions of danger and benefits associated with young children s outdoor p.pdf
Risky play, parent, practitioner, perceptions, early years, child care
Abstract :
[en] Against a backdrop of generational declines in outdoor play and recent work demonstrating geo-cultural differences in adult perceptions of risk in outdoor play, this paper explores the relationships between gatekeeper (parent/practitioner) perceptions of dangers and benefits in outdoor risky play scenarios and young children’s (aged 2–5 years old) experiences of outdoor play in Scotland, and whether these are moderated by being a parent or practitioner. A contextually relevant picture-based survey asked parents (n = 205) and practitioners (n = 151) to rate six different outdoor risky play scenarios based on their level of danger and benefits. The outcome variable was number of outdoor play scenarios children experienced. Ordinal logistic regression analyses were supported by the variables: respondent age, respondent experiences as a child, child age, perceptions of road traffic, and urbanicity of home/practitioner setting. Results suggested that an increasing number of perceived dangers was generally reflected in lower odds of the children having play experiences. This effect was consistent regardless of being a parent or practitioner. When perceived benefits were included in the model the effects of perceived danger became non-significant. Contributing Scottish evidence to the wider literature supports context specific intervention efforts promoting the benefits of outdoor (risky) play.
Research Center/Unit :
RUCHE - Research Unit for a life-Course perspective on Health & Education - ULiège
Disciplines :
Social & behavioral sciences, psychology: Multidisciplinary, general & others
Author, co-author :
McCrorie, Paul ; School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow
Johnstone, Avril ; School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow
Nicholls, Natalie; School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow
Keime, Marine; School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow
Jidovtseff, Boris ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département des Sciences de l'activité physique et de la réadaptation > Déterminants de la performance et aspects généraux de l'entraînement - Aspects spécifiques de l'entraînement y compris de haut niveau
Martin, Anne ; School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow
Language :
English
Title :
Risky outdoor play in the early years: how are parental and practitioner perceptions of danger and benefits associated with young children's outdoor play experiences?
Alternative titles :
[fr] Jeux risqué dans la petite enfance: comment sont les représentation des dangers et des bénéfices associés avec le jeu extérieur auprès des parents et professionnels de l'enfance
Publication date :
04 July 2025
Journal title :
International Journal of Play
ISSN :
2159-4937
eISSN :
2159-4953
Publisher :
Informa UK Limited
Special issue title :
Play for Health and Wellbeing. Guest editors: John McKendrick, Tassy Thompson and Stacey Marko
Volume :
14
Issue :
2
Pages :
120-138
Peer reviewed :
Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi
Development Goals :
3. Good health and well-being 4. Quality education
MRC - Medical Research Council ULiège - University of Liège
Funding text :
This work was supported by the Medical Research Council grant numbers [MC_UU_00022/1;
AM] and [MC_UU_00022/4; PM, NN, AJ] and Chief Scientist Office grant numbers
[SPHSU16; AM] and [SPHSU19; PM, AJ, NN]. MK was supported by the Glasgow Children’s
Hospital Research Fund and BJ by the University of Leige.
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