ERIC Number: EJ1467946
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025
Pages: 17
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1350-293X
EISSN: EISSN-1752-1807
Available Date: 0000-00-00
Risk Willingness in Play: Exploring Children's Behaviour in a Virtual Reality Playground
European Early Childhood Education Research Journal, v33 n2 p302-318 2025
Understanding children's willingness to take risks is crucial for sound educational strategies and play environments. This study investigates children's risk willingness using a virtual reality (VR) playground balancing scenario and examines its associations with sensation-seeking personality trait, age, gender, and the likelihood of failing the VR scenario. The sample included 344 children aged 7-10 years. Results showed that risk willingness -- as indicated by behaviours such as average speed, pillar visits, and time spent in risky zones -- was associated with age and gender, with older children and boys showing higher risk willingness. Measured risk willingness was positively associated with the Thrill/Intensity Seeking personality trait. Additionally, visiting pillars was linked to a greater likelihood of failing the VR scenario. These findings highlight how children's risk willingness can lead to different behaviours, emphasising the importance of play environments which account for individual differences, interests, and competencies in risky play.
Descriptors: Play, Children, Child Behavior, Computer Simulation, Playgrounds, Risk, Educational Strategies, Environment, Educational Technology, Sensory Experience, Personality, Gender Differences, Age Differences, Environmental Influences, Visual Aids, Foreign Countries, Grade 2, Grade 3
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Early Childhood Education; Elementary Education; Grade 2; Primary Education; Grade 3
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Norway
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: 1Department of Physical Education and Health, Queen Maud University College of Early Childhood Education, Trondheim, Norway