Risky play is an important part of developing resilience, risk assessing skills and physical skills, along with team work and happens naturally in the copse (under supervision of course!) Today the children had an invitation to learn how to use a flint and steel to light their own fires:

Some children were far too engaged in their play in the copse, devising their own playground with swings, slides and balance beams. Again risky play taking place but children were supported to risk assess - was it safe? Were the beams balanced and secure? What would happen if they weren't? How could they keep each other safe? 

Others decided to make their own bridge across the ditch - using logs and planks - they worked to decide how high, how many planks and what level of risk could be added:

And finally... tree climbing! Being in charge of their own play, fun and risks also leads to children challenging themselves and succeeding! So many children in class are now tree climbing - their confidence as high as they are in the trees! (Again, the children are supervised and safe! They go as high as they feel safe and of course I am on hand to verbally guide children up and down and to risk assess with them as needed!)