Embracing Risky Play at School

Getting Kids Outdoors to Explore, Learn, and Grow

AvMegan Zeni,Mariana Brussoni

Inbunden, Engelska, 2026

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Beskrivning

This book provides K–8 educators with practical, research-based guidance for implementing—and advocating for!—risky play at school.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. Zeni and Brussoni, two experts in the field with decades of experience, share research evidence alongside accessible strategies for overcoming common barriers to implementing risky play at school.The Canadian Pediatric Society recommends risky play as a preventative measure for childhood obesity, anxiety, and behavioral issues, and schools have an important role to play in providing access to the unique benefits of risky outdoor play. This book addresses the collective responsibility of adults to support risky play when designing learning environments.Book Features: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 (www.outsideplay.org/).

Produktinformation

Utgivningsdatum:2026-01-23
Mått:156 x 229 x 15 mm
Vikt:363 g
Format:Inbunden
Språk:Engelska
Antal sidor:160
Förlag:Teachers' College Press
ISBN:9780807783634

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Mer om författaren

Megan Zeni is a researcher and consultant who works with school districts and teacher education faculties to build capacity for outdoor play and learning in the elementary school years.Mariana Brussoni is a professor and developmental psychologist, head of the Outside Play Lab, and director of the Human Early Learning Partnership at the University of British Columbia.

Innehållsförteckning

ContentsPreface ixComments From Megan Zeni ixComments From Mariana Brussoni xiHow This Book Is Organized xiiiPart I: What Is Risky Play?1. Why Is Outdoor Play Important for Children? 3What Happened to Play? 4What About Recess? From Theory to Practice 6What Is Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL)? 7Systems Change Recommendation 7Chapter Summary 82. Why Is Risky Play Important for Children? 9Risks Are Different From Hazards: From Theory to Practice 12Guidelines for All Staff 13Chapter Summary 163. Why Are Outdoor Learning and Risky Play in Schools Important for Children? 17Engagement With Learning 18Five Pathways to Mental Health and Well-Being 19Executive Function 21Academic Achievement 22Why Outdoor Risky Play at Home Is Not Enough 23Risky Play in Schools: From Theory to Practice 24Introducing Core Instructional Routines 25Chapter Summary 294. Should Schools Worry About Injuries During Risky Play? 30It’s Safer Than You Think: From Research to Practice 31Create Yes Spaces for Children’s Risky Play 33Chapter Summary 36Part II: Planning for and Implementing Outdoor Risky Play5. Risky Play and Academic Learning 39Pedagogical Choices That Support Risky Play 40Emergent Learning 46Pedagogies of Place 47Chapter Summary 486. Access to Risky Play in Schools 49Planning for OPAL 49Benefit–Risk Assessments 53When Risks Become Hazards 54Chapter Summary 557. Planning for Risky Play 56Planning With Core Instructional Routines 56Gathering Spaces: The Campfire 57Spaces for Social Learning: The Watering Hole 62Spaces for Quiet Reflection and Alone Time: The Cave 66Growing Spaces: Life Spaces 71Chapter Summary 768. School Gardens 77Risky Play in School Gardens 78Mud Kitchens 82Chapter Summary 869. Risky Play and Loose Parts 87Improving Affordances 88Introducing Yes Spaces and Navigating Consent 93Navigating Shared Resources 94The Importance of Time 96Chapter Summary 97Part III: Risky Play Issues, Challenges, and Recommendations10. Perceived and Real Barriers for Risky Play in Schools 101Safety Is a Feeling 101What the Research Says About OPAL Barriers 103Perceived Barriers to Risky Play in Schools 105Real Concerns to Navigate 110Chapter Summary 11211. The Importance of Mentorship 114Guidelines to Get You Started 115Chapter Summary 11612. Risky Play FAQs 117How Do I Make Time for OPAL? My Day Is Already So Full 117How Do I Keep the Children on Task? They Think Being Outdoors Is Extra Recess! 118How Can I Justify to Colleagues That Learning Is Happening When It Looks Like We Play All Day? 119My Class Is Really Challenging This Year. How Can I Take Them Outdoors? 119Final Thoughts 120References 123Index 137About the Authors 143