CHILDREN'S RISKY ACTIVITIES AND PARENTS' IDEAS ON CHILDREN'S RISK-TAKING BEHAVIOUR

A cross-sectional study with children's and parents' self-completed questionnaires was carried out to evaluate parents' ideas on children's risk-takjng behaviours and children's risky activities after school hours by age (7 and 9 years) and sex. Nine elementary schools were randomly selected and 476 pupHs aged seven and nine years and 471 parents were studied. Most parents (90.1 %) believed that their children take risks when they play outside after school anyway. The top three risky activities were climbing walls (25.0%), climbing trees (14.8%) and riding carelessly (14.1 %). Overall, boys were more likely to take risks than girls (47.4% vs. 33.6%, p<O.O I). Although more needs to be learned about children's after-school risk-taking behaviours, it is clear that the pattern of risk-taking behaviour for younger children is different from that of older ones. Boys were more likely to take risks and are at greater risk of being involved in an accidental injury when they play outside after school than girls. Because many children do take risks after school, a broad and balanced approach combining educational and environmental componen ts is essential to prevent after-school childhood accidents.