How about a risky play? Investigation of risk levels desired by children and perceived mother monitoring

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to investigate the risk levels desired by children aged 4–5 years and their perceived status of mother monitoring. One hundred and three children aged 4–5 years were participated in the study. For the purpose of collecting data, a set of 12 drawings based on the interview method set out by the researchers and the questions about these drawings were used. As a result, it was found that children preferred high risk level in high-speed play and preferred low risk level in playing next to dangerous elements. An association between the risk level desired by children and the child’s self-disclosure for great heights and for high-speed categories were observed and, an association between the risk level desired by the child and perceived mother control for the high-speed category was observed.

KEYWORD:

• Early childhood
• risk
• risky play
• mother monitoring

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Özlem Yurt

Özlem Yurt is a Doctor of Education and working at Department of Preschool Education, Trabzon University. She received her Ph.D. and M.Ed. from Gazi University. She is interested in science education and play for preschool children.

Sadiye Keleş

Sadiye Keleş is a Doctor of Education and working at Department of Preschool Education, Zonguldak Bulent Ecevit University. She received her Ph.D. from Gazi University and her M.Ed. from Marmara University. She is interested in self-regulation, socio-dramatic play and Cultural-Historical Theory.