Embracing Risky Play at School: Getting Kids Outdoors to Explore, Learn, and Grow

Children are naturally drawn to risky play—taking physical chances, seeking excitement, and satisfying curiosity—and are more physically active when playing outdoors.

Embracing Risky Play at School introduces readers to outdoor play and learning (OPAL) in the kindergarten to middle school years, explains the difference between risks and hazards, presents the concept of “Yes” spaces, and describes how and why risky play supports academic development and student well-being.

Written by two experts in the field with decades of experience, Drs. Megan Zeni and Mariana Brussoni share research evidence alongside accessible strategies for overcoming common barriers for implementing risky play at school.

Features of this Resource:

• A clear understanding of what risky play is, and is not, particularly when supervising other people’s children as a professional educator in group learning environments
• Guidance for creating conditions and building capacity for risky play in schools, which serves to support the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive growth of children
• Links to learning modules that extend chapter content through the authors’ Outside Play website

Join the authors for a 4 x 1 hour course in April!