The relationship between parent tolerance of risky play and chilled sensory environment

Abstract

Background: Risky play, characterized by adventurous and uncertain activities, is essential for children’s development, fostering resilience, confidence, and problem-solving skills. However, parental attitudes toward such play vary widely, influenced by cultural norms, personal experiences, and safety concerns. This study aims to measure the levels of parental tolerance for risky play, identify factors that contribute to variations in this tolerance, evaluate children’s sensory environments, and examine the relationship between parental tolerance of risky play and the attributes of sensory environments. Methods: A descriptive correlational study design was used. The current study was conducted in eight primary schools in the Karbalaa city center, Iraq. A total of 480 primary school students of both sexes in the first, second, and third stages were randomly selected. A validated questionnaire consisting of three parts was used. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied to analyze the results using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), version 26. Results: The results reveal that 49.6% of parents have a moderate tolerance for risky play. Both parents are predominantly in the 30–39 age range, with over half of the fathers (54.2%) and nearly half of the mothers (47.3%) falling within this category. Mothers show a higher proportion having completed intermediate school (27.7%), while fathers are most frequently graduates of primary school (26%). Most of the children (65%) fall within the 6–7 age range. Conclusions: Less than half of the parents demonstrated a moderate level of tolerance for risky play. The sensory environment emerged as a crucial factor, having a significant direct positive effect on parental tolerance for risky play. Recommendations: Interventions and educational materials should be designed with varying literacy levels and educational backgrounds in mind. This will ensure that information on risky play and sensory environments is accessible and impactful for all parents. Future research should explore the causal mechanisms between sensory environments and parental tolerance through longitudinal or interventional studies.