The Canadian Paediatric Society says a little risk can be good for kids鈥� physical and mental well-being.

The national organization issued new recommendations Thursday that encourage kids to engage in unstructured outdoor play 鈥� and 鈥渞isky play鈥� in particular.

It said that type of play varies by child, but is generally defined as 鈥渢hrilling and exciting free play that involves uncertain outcomes and the possibility of physical injury.鈥�

Examples include play at height or speed, supervised activities involving tools such as hammers, ropes and knives 鈥� such as whittling or building 鈥� and the chance of getting lost.

While it can be scary for parents to allow risk into their kids鈥� lives, the pediatric group said this sort of play is crucial for children鈥檚 mental, social and physical development.

But the organization said that doesn鈥檛 mean ignoring safety regulations. Kids shouldn鈥檛 be left unsupervised in hazardous areas, nor should they be pushed outside their comfort levels.

It鈥檚 up to the grown-ups to be aware of hazards, and intervene if the potential harm is more serious than the child is able to recognize and manage.

Dr. Emilie Beaulieu, who authored the society鈥檚 guidance document, said risky play has been studied for at least 20 years as having multiple benefits including increased physical activity.

鈥淐hildren are more active, there are lower rates of obesity and there are all these other indicators around cardiovascular health,鈥� she said in an interview from Quebec City, where she is a pediatrician.

鈥淲e also see that they are less stressed and have better relationships with their peers,鈥� said Beaulieu, adding research also suggests kids have fewer conflicts and higher self-esteem when they鈥檙e allowed more riskier play during recess.

鈥淚 think where we are now is trying to find the right balance between letting kids play freely and incorporating risk in their play while making sure that they鈥檙e still safe and avoiding hazards.鈥�

Monkey bars have resulted in plenty of injuries, and trampolines may be dangerous if children do not land on their feet so parents should consider potential hazards, Beaulieu said.

But telling kids to 鈥済o play outside鈥� would help reduce screen time as they benefit from being out in nature, said Beaulieu, who has two young children.

鈥淲e deal with risky play every day,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 learned from society and my parents. My first thought is, 鈥淏e careful!鈥�

Instead, it鈥檚 best for parents to manage any risks by guiding children and asking them questions, including whether a structure is safe enough to support their weight, she said.

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