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in si de ha lto n. co m O ak vi lle B ea ve r | T hu rs da y, A pr il 25 ,2 01 9 | 32 Cut out paying more Your only destination for more coupons, more flyers, more savings. #SavingWithSave Save $1.00! Get your coupon at save.ca/coupons expert advice? breaking news? today's top stories? where you live? crime? events? what to read? cooking? SIGN UPNOW We've got a newsletter for that. Care about /newsletters Remember when youRemember when youR were little, always exploring? We splashed in puddles andWe splashed in puddles andW rolled down hills and the liv- ing room furniture was a mountain range to be climbed. That kind of unstructured play - letting kids be kids - is a critical part of a child's emo- tional, psychological and physical development. Learning how to solve problems and bounce back after a setback are skills chil- dren need to meet challenges in all aspects of their lives and can be gained through simple, less restrictive play! While some activities may be risky, risk isn't the same as danger. Minor injuries can happen, but major injuries are uncommon. Of course we value safety - we must alsovalue safety - we must alsov value having fun and beingvalue having fun and beingv healthy. Child development ex- perts around the world agree that the long-term, positive health benefits of risky play outweigh the benefits of avoiding it. Children teachavoiding it. Children teacha themselves emotional resil- ience when they play in ways that create feelings, such as anticipation, fear, joy, and freedom.freedom.f With this thinking inWith this thinking inW mind, and as part of last year's Connect Play & Learnyear's Connect Play & Learny Every Day! activities, we hosted a family play day, with the theme, Loose Parts and Risky Play. Parents and chil- dren played together with boxes and wood scraps and children as young as two used real tools like hammers and nails. The imagination and problem-solving were amazing to see. Ask yourself, 'am I giving my child the freedom to de- cide how high to climb, how dirty to get, and when to do somersaults?' Doo I let my child practise hand-eye coor- dination by using scissors or a hammer?' You will be sur- prised at how capable your child is, and how quickly they develop confidence and phys- ical skills like balance and strength. When you support them to take risks, they will build independence. Children who play freely are learning! Next time: Play doesn't have to cost a lot! Alison Hilborn is the OKN Early Years Initiative Chairperson and Acton Hub Coordinator. Reach her at CPLE@haltoniparent.ca. Learn more at haltonipa- rent.ca/CPLE. Discover more about family relation- ships at ourkidsnetwork.ca/ First6Years. This column is based on information pro- vided by Halton early years professionals. Halton has many helpful resources. OPINION RISKY PLAY IS MORE THAN OK CRITICAL FOR DEVELOPMENT, WRITES ALISON HILBORN ALISON HILBORN Column