This master's thesis explores the importance of children's play—particularly outdoor and risky play—for the holistic growth and development of a child. The theoretical part highlights the benefits of play in fostering cognitive, social, emotional, and motor skills, emphasizing the unique value of natural environments in encouraging creativity, independence, and social competence. Special attention is given to risky play, which allows children to test their limits, face challenges, and develop self-confidence, judgment, and risk management skills. The thesis also addresses contemporary factors contributing to the decline of such play, including excessive adult supervision, a lack of free time, and the influence of modern technology. The empirical part presents a qualitative study involving ten elderly participants (five women and five men) who spent their childhood in the rural area of the Tuhinj Valley. Through eleven research questions, we explored their memories of play, the presence of risk in their childhood experiences, and their perception of how children's play has changed over time. The findings reveal that their childhood was characterized by unsupervised, spontaneous outdoor play, which significantly contributed to the development of independence, responsibility, social skills, and creativity. The interviewees emphasized the importance of allowing children to play freely without excessive oversight, criticized the over-scheduling of children’s daily routines, and expressed concern about the negative effects of excessive screen time. This research provides valuable insight into the past and encourages reflection on the current state of children's play. The findings can serve as a useful resource for parents, educators, and society at large in creating conditions that support a healthy and balanced development for children today.
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