Browsing by Subject "forest school"

Faculty: Educational Sciences Degree programme: Master’s program in Educational Sciences Study track: Early Childhood Education Author: Satu Soininen Title: Children’s perspectives and perceptions about risky play in forest school setting Level: Master’s Thesis Month and year: May 2023 Number of pages: 67 pp + 3 appendices Keywords: adventure education, early childhood education, forest school, outdoor learning, risky play, Supervisor or supervisors: Lasse Lipponen Where deposited: Helsingin yliopiston kirjasto – Helda / E-thesis (opinnäytteet) Additional information: Abstract: Objectives. Children regularly seek risks when playing and enjoy physical challenges such as climbing and jumping from high places. However, safety rules limit children’s risk-taking experiences in preschools and daycare centers. The purpose of this study was to examine through the narratives of 4–5-year-old children how they experience risky play and preferred activities in forest school settings, as well as which activities they understand to be forbidden and what are the rules when playing in forest. Methods. This study was a qualitative study that used narrative research approach to children’s perceptions of risky play. The research material consisted of narrative interviews with 19 4-5-years old children (10 boys and 9 girls). The interviews were conducted in a forest school setting during the fall of 2022. The material was analyzed by applying thematic analysis and utilizing the concept of small stories. Conclusions. In this study, climbing on trees and rocks were children’s most liked risky play activities, which they also partly perceived as dangerous type of play. The children had a clear understanding of the danger of climbing and fast -paced play. They were able to recognize the possibility of harm, injury and pain when playing risky type of play. Imagination play and role-playing were also popular among children. Forest elements such as trees, rocks, and natural materials turned into surfboards, trains, and home play areas. Children liked to build forts and dens and one of the popular types of play was to play animal families in those dens. In their stories about common rules in the forest, children talked about rules related to stick games, climbing, and running and tag games. I interpreted that the children understand the pursuit of safety in rules as well as the protection of the forest and nature. Psychological and social environmental rules also emerged in the children’s stories as rules for including all friends to play.