Risk is a word that often gets misunderstood in early childhood and outdoor education. It is sometimes treated as something to eliminate, and other times as something to celebrate without structure. At Saplings, we take a different approach. We understand risk as something that lives on a spectrum, and our role as educators is not to avoid it or ignore it, but to hold it well. Understanding the Risk Spectrum Most educators sit somewhere on a spectrum when it comes to risk. Th

At Saplings, we often talk about the value of risky play; the kind of play that might make grown-ups hold their breath: climbing trees, balancing on logs, jumping from rocks, or using sticks in imaginative ways. But what might feel risky to us is often exactly what children need. This post is here to help you understand what risky play is, why we support it, and how it’s safely encouraged in outdoor learning environments like ours. What Is Risky Play? Risky play refers to exc