Risk and Reward

How gorgeous are these cups and saucers? I don’t think anyone could deny that they would love to drink out of one of these, and how carefully and delicately you’d hold them.

It’s the same for children.

Time and time again I’ve seen children being given plastic as a substitution for real life objects. Have we become too focused on removing risk and obstacles for them? What about the learning that comes from challenge and risk? As a result of this plastic overload children get used to their actions having no consequences; if you drop a plastic plate, it doesn’t break. So when they are given an opportunity, accidents happen and the belief that they’re too young or it is too dangerous is perpetuated.

We also have to give thought to what this does to their self-belief. Over time children become risk-averse, and their confidence and self-esteem is reduced.

I am passionate about giving children responsibility and having high expectations of them and I practice this everyday no matter how small the task. Why? Because each time they have a go they learn something. They are proud of themselves, and become confident to try new things. They are happy little learners. Every task or situation is a learning opportunity and an opportunity to build confidence and resilience.

We often talk about giving children real life experiences and this is one of them. Real life includes materials other than plastic. What’s more, it’s a real life expectation.

Last year I tried this in my classroom. I bought a mini ceramic dining set for my Home Corner. I launched it one Monday as the most exciting thing that had happened in class so far. I explained clearly and simply what the dining set was made from. I explained what could happen if one of the items was dropped. I also explained what they should do in the event something was dropped and broke. Guess what, it lasted the whole year. The first chip? An adult.