Risky Play: Going Beyond Climbing Trees and Jumping Off Boulders Deb Norris September 5, 2023

The session will begin with a short review of the scholarly definition of risky play, including Sandseter’s categories. The session will then move to a presentation of original research showing that teachers can influence the safety of risky play and the development of risk management skills through conversation and relationship building. The research participants’ experiences will be used as examples of how the session participants can build relationships with their own students. Before a time for participant questions, there will be a time to examine real life risky play scenarios to practice what kind of conversations might be started with students. Session Learning Objectives: The participants will be able to: Implement relationship building skills with students in risky play situations Formulate plans to enhance risky play through relationship building.