Opinions and Perceptions of Preschool Teachers towards Risky Play

The concept of risky play is discussed under the name of play, which seeks excitement and involves a risk of physical injury. In this study, it was aimed to examine the pre-school teachers’ opinions and perceptions toward risky play. This study was conducted as a basic and exploratory research according to the qualitative approach Totally 25 pre-school teachers working at six different schools at 2015-2016 term dates in Ankara participated in this study. Data were collected by using a questionnaire form, which was developed by researchers and participants were interviewed individually. Document analysis was conducted on the documents obtained by these interviews. As a result of the study, it was indicated that teachers’ approaches to risky play was cautious. The importance given to children’s physical health was seemed to an obstacle for taking risk. As a reason for this foundings, it was observed that risk was perceived as a dangerous and damaging. Also, it was observed that attitudes of parents and school managers toward teachers and physical infrastructure issues could be other factors that prevent risky play.