ABSTRACT
This chapter argues that risky exchanges provide a window to better understand the ways that children act in relation to others during play. It outlines a cultural–historical understanding of the child’s perspective, and risky exchanges in play by outlining what is known about risky play. For young children, new possibilities for individual and collective imaginative and creative actions are provided during play. The importance of understanding and promoting outdoor risky play for young children has been emphasised by various studies in early childhood education. The children raced down the stepladder and collected the basket and worked together to manoeuvre the basket back onto the top bunk, clutching the ladder with one hand and using the other to drag the bag of toys up the ladder. There are many reasons documented regarding why rejection between children occurs, including a lack of affective connection, verbal/physical aggression, toys being taken or disruption of classroom routines, including disobeying rules.
