Risky Play: A Foundation for Strong, Confident Children

Risky play: what is it and why do we embrace it at Magic Garden?

At Magic Garden Early Education, we firmly believe that “risky play”—the adventurous,

thrill sparking kind of play—is a powerful engine for learning. It aligns seamlessly with New Zealand’s early childhood curriculum - Te Whāriki, and incorporates both our national values and the global Reggio inspired approach.

1. Aotearoa Perspectives: Play Is Essential

Sport NZ explicitly champions children's access to “uncertainty, unpredictability and

potential risks” through play—echoing New Zealand’s “physical literacy” framework that supports wellbeing, leadership, resilience, and decision making.

Te Whāriki (2017) highlights risky play seven times, empowering teachers/kaiako to balance hazard-awareness with & healthy risk-taking play with heights, speed… and real tools. Play Aotearoa, our national play advocacy organisation, reminds us that children have a right to play freely, and that environments nurturing that play are central to their manaakitanga and kaitiakitanga – their wellbeing and guardianship.

2. Magic Garden’s Environment: Safety Meets Adventure

We carefully design play spaces rich in loose parts—e.g. logs, stones, ropes—with the intent that the environment is a teacher, inviting exploration and engagement. Our teaching team applies a risk–benefit lens, ensuring we:

• Remove serious hazards (e.g. broken equipment), while keeping the fun, challenging elements of play

• Maintain high adult to child ratios, ensuring every challenge is observed and guided

• Invite children to reflect: “How will I get across? What if I slip?”—helping them make decisions, while following instructions and guidance.

3. Magic Garden Empowers the Integrity of Play: Nurturing Co-Learners

We hold deep respect for children as creative, curious thinkers, equipped with “a hundred languages” to express themselves—through climbing, building, storytelling, drawing, and more.

Teachers act as co-learners and responsive partners, observing, documenting, and

extending the children’s ideas—stepping in only when needed, but always present to

facilitate deeper play and learning. Through guided reflection (“What worked? What next?”), teachers help children see themselves as capable problem solvers, reinforcing the exploration and contribution strands of Te Whāriki.

4. Guiding Through Risk: Our Code in Action

From The Education Hub and Hanrahan & Duncan research, we take these principles to heart:

• Hold high expectations but back children up with guidance

• Build a shared language around risk—explaining it, rather than avoiding it

• Support children to take responsibility for their safety, step by step

• Teach real tool use, e.g. gardening trowels, woodwork tools, and scissors under

  supervision

5. Healthy “Oops”: Illness, Accidents & Learning

Our Illness & Accident Policy reflects Magic Garden’s commitment:

• Immediate response: staff respond promptly, support the child, document the event, and contact parents as appropriate

• Reflective practice: educators and families review the incident together—what was learned, adapt environments as appropriate

We understand that safe; doesn’t mean without scrapes; Minor injuries are a normal,

even valuable, part of play—as long as safe conditions and prompt care are in place.

6. Preparing for School – Building Life Skills

Our approach equips children for school environments where adult attention is more limited and challenges less tailored. They enter primary school with:

• Physical competence—strength, balance, skills to handle terrain and playground

  structures

• Emotional resilience—confidence in themselves, readiness to persist

• Social dexterity—cooperation, negotiation, empathy

• Risk literacy—the ability to assess situations, ask questions, self-

  regulate

7. In Parents’ Words

“Watching her think through how to cross the logs showed me how capable she really is.”

“The two scratches didn’t worry me—they’re learning badges.”

8. Your Trust, Our Promise

We invite your questions and reflections:

• Want to know how we support tool use?

• Curious how documentation informs our practice?

• Interested in how kindergarten ratios compare?

Magic Garden is a community. We grow children’s courage here—and parents' confidence too.

In Summary:

Magic Garden is a place where safe risk equals powerful growth. By weaving together:

• New Zealand evidence and recommendations (Sport NZ, Te Whāriki, Play Aotearoa)

• Relationships of respect (collaboration, environment as a teacher)

• Risk–benefit practice (Education Hub, National Standards).

• We create an environment where children learn from small oopses, reflect on choices, and build capability—setting them up to thrive in school and life.

Kia kaha, kia māia, kia manawanui—strong, courageous, and resilient, ready for anything.

If you are interested in additional reading on risky play, we recommend:

https://www.playaustralia.org.au/national-risk-position-statement