I went to Forest school with a group of 3-4 year olds last year and there was loads of dangers there!:flamed:
It was scary as they taught the children to start a fire - although toasting the marshmallows made up for it! - but the leader pointed out that many children have never experienced a real fire and therefore were not respectful of it. They did not worry about how a fire might hurt them as they had not felt its warmth (when sitting a safe distance away, obviously!). After we had made the fire and were sitting around it, the children suggested their own rules to keep safe - don't walk too close in case you trip, use a long stick for the marshmallows so our fingers don't get too hot etc
So I suppose my point is... children need opportunities to do activities which aren't 'completely safe' so that they learn to understand danger
We mustn't wrap our children up in cotton wool - they need to bump their knees (not badly!) as they jump from a climbing frame to appreciate that height needs assessment and that we need to bend our knees on landing etc
Hope you're feeling better
