Risky play at home

“For parents at home, it’s best to start small,” says Carol Duffy. “Watch what your child can do and what they are striving to do, and help them in a way that suits their disposition.”

1. “You wouldn’t put a toddler into a tree, but tree-climbing skills can be developed from earlier interventions. Afford babies lots of play and movement that supports their balance, upper-body strength, and their understanding of their capabilities. This helps build a strong and capable body and mind for when the time comes that he/she wants to climb a tree,” says Carol.

2. “With appropriate supervision and discussion, playing with both small and large amounts of water helps children to recognise both the wonder and the dangers of water as an engaging play material.”

3. Younger children can also learn from exploring and messy play, such as digging in the garden and finding creepy crawlies.

4. Limit screen time — this will get them off their bums and seek out adventure. “A parent can encourage their child to try new and challenging activities by breaking the tasks down into bite-sized pieces, praising their efforts and instilling self-belief,” says parent coach Trevor Higgins.