Download the PDF of this article
Rough and tumble play provides a myriad of benefits for young children. In his book A Playworker’sTaxonomy of Play Types, Bob Hughes defines rough and tumble as ‘close encounter play which is less to do with fighting and more to do with touching, tickling, gauging relative strength’. He adds that it allows children to participate in physical contact that does not result in anyone being hurt, and should use up a significant amount of energy.
Rough and tumble activities can include combinations of full-body movements such as chasing, wrestling, climbing, rolling, spinning and falling, and often involve contact with other objects or people.
Register now to continue reading
Thank you for visiting Nursery World and making use of our archive of more than 35,000 expert features, subject guides, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:
What's included
-
Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month
-
Unlimited access to news and opinion
-
Email newsletter providing activity ideas, best practice and breaking news
Already have an account? Sign in here