Copyright
All words written are copyrighted to Hollie Clark.
Illustrated drawings are copyrighted to Hollie Clark.
Some photos are copyrighted to Hollie Clark. Photos not by Hollie Clark are referenced.
Age Group
This picture book is aimed at children ages 3 – 7 years.
Assignment #1
Hollie Clark
Early Childhood Education and Development, Bow Valley College
ELCC2213 : Language, Literacy, and Communication in the Early Years
Karla Eskerod
October 6, 2023
Photo by Yzerg
Create a Children’s Book
Once upon a time in a countryside town, There lived a young girl who took risks all year round.
She would balance on tree trunks across shallow water. She would skate on the ice with only sneakers to support her.
She would climb on the big rock, roll down hills in a tire. But her favourite risky play was climbing trees higher and higher.
She would swing from the branches and shake up the leaves. She would climb to the top and feel the crisp breeze.
From high in the tree tops she could see far and wide. But one day she wondered and one day she sighed.
“I love to take risks. I feel strong, wild, and free. But I want to do something much bigger than this tree.”
“I want to do something so risky and so big!” She said to her friend as she twiddled a twig.
One day a skydiver arrived from the sky. He boasted of sights he could see from up high.
Of
rivers and mountains, and forests and lakes. And the rush that he feels, from the risk that it takes.
The girl asked the next day, “Can I skydive with you?” She wanted to feel the same rush that he knew.
They climbed into the small plane and took to the sky, They climbed higher and higher till the clouds passed them by.
He strapped on the parachute and buckled her in tight. Then he shouted,” Are you ready?” But her bravery turned to fright.
She trembled all over. Her heart hammered fast.
Then she took a deep breath, and they jumped out at last.
She saw rivers and mountains, and forests and lakes, And she now knew the rush from the risk that it takes.
As they soared through the air, she shouted out loud, “I love taking risks! I feel happy and proud!”
I’ve learned some new skills, that will help me to be, A strong capable person that’s still wild and free.”
Taking a risk can be scary and fun, A way to learn something new. Taking a risk can help you to see, All of the things you can do.
The END
Dear Adult,
Do you remember a time in your childhood when you took a risk? Did you climb the trees, ice skate on lakes, or swing around so fast you felt dizzy? Do you remember the feeling you felt when you reached the top, raced as fast as you could, or accomplished something you hadn’t known you could do before? Perhaps you felt excited, exhilarated, proud, capable, and free.
Risky play, also known as adventurous play and challenging play, has many benefits supporting children’s development and well-being. When children engage in risky play, they “learn about their world; test out what is and is not possible; learn about making mistakes; and discover new things about their space, place, and environment” (Dietze et al., 2013, cited by Dietze & Kashin, 2021). Many children and adults learn best by doing, and risky play is one of the areas they can best do this as they make meaning from the world around them. Children can test their limits, push their boundaries of what they are capable and learn to manage risk. Other benefits to risky play include:
• Boosting self-confidence and a sense of pride in their abilities
• Developing skills such as problem-solving, resourcefulness, and understanding
• Developing resilience
• Developing creativity by trying new ideas and strategies
• Self-regulation skills
• Builds confidence, imagination, curiosity, and experience
• Developing language
• Offers a sense of excitement and adventure
• Provides opportunities to explore, discover, experiment and master new challenges
• Developing physical competence such as large and fine motor
Differentiating between Risk and Hazard
”Risk is the possibility of gaining or losing something… whereas hazard is the potential source of harm or danger” (Lawson Foundation, 2017, cited by Dietze & Kashin, 2019).
Further Learning...
It is important to talk to your child about and define risky play without installing fear in them. Let them know that they might get hurt and that if they make a mistake, they can learn from it. Talk about how proud they might feel, or what kinds of skills they might learn.
Here are some examples you can talk about:
• Climbing and swinging in a tree or at great heights
• Climbing up the slide instead of going down
• Climbing on rocks
• Balancing on fallen trees or high objects
• Ice skating on frozen lakes
• Rough and Tumble play
• Swinging really fast and high
• Biking down a hill really fast
• Using real life tools such as knives, axes, hammers
• Making a fire
Questions to ask children after reading the book:
1. Have you done anything risky?
2. What kind of play do you think is risky play?
3. Is there any risky play you want to try?
4. How do you think you will feel when you try the risky play?
5. Do you think you can hurt in risky play?
6. What could happen if you climb in a tree?
7. What might happen if the rocks you are climbing on are wet?
8. What will happen after you spin so fast you are dizzy? Do you think it’s a good idea to swing around in a small busy space, or a big empty space?
Most of all, have fun exploring and engaging in risky play with your child and watching them develop into capable and mighty learners.
References
Dietze, B. & Kashin, D. (2019). Playing and Learning in Early Childhood Education. (2nd Edition.) Pearson Canada.
Dietze, B. & Kashin, D. (2021). Outdoor and Nature Play in Early Childhood Education. (1st Edition.) E-Textbook. Pearson Canada.
Photographs
Alston, K. (n.d.) Skydiver, Parachute, Skydiving Image. Free for use. [Photograph]. Pixabay.
https://pixabay.com/photos/skydiver-parachute-skydiving-376783/
Barringer, D. (2019 June 7). Crow’s Nest: Climbing Tree. [Photograph]. Natural Lands.
https://natlands.org/crows-nest-climbing-trees/
Gaertner. (n.d.) [Photograph]. Alamy Stock Photo.
https://www.architecturaldigest.com/gallery/most-beautiful-small-towns-in-america
Hebbard, C. (n.d.) [Photograph]. Getty Images.
https://www.architecturaldigest.com/gallery/most-beautiful-small-towns-in-america
Pratchya. (n.d.) [Photograph]. iStock.
https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/bush-green-leaves-and-branches-of-treetop-isolated-onwhite-background-for-design-and-gm998207510-270031734?utm_source=unsplash&utm_ medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=srp_photos_top&utm_content=https%3A%2F%2Funspl ash.com%2Fs%2Fphotos%2Ftree-top&utm_term=tree+top%3A%3A%3A
Tourtigerdevel. (2017 November 5). [Photograph]. Skydive Cross Keys.
https://www.skydivecrosskeys.com/5-skydiving-myths-explained/
Skydive Tilstock. (n.d.) rainbow-parachute. [Photograph].
https://skydivetilstock.co.uk/rainbow-parachute/
