Embracing Risky Play

Community Workshop

Facilitator(s): Dr. Megan Zeni

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Date: May 21, 2026 | Time: 6:30pm - 8:30pm

What if we could create conditions for children’s outdoor play that serve to reduce power struggles and improve wellbeing? This session will review the roles and responsibilities of adults in children’s outdoor play, alongside practical implementation strategies for working with children in our care. Three broad topics will be addressed: 1) what is risky play 2) planning for, and implementation of, risky play in early learning environments; and 3) risky play issues, challenges and recommendations for early learning professionals.

Facilitator(s): Dr. Megan Zeni

Dr. Megan Zeni earned a PhD from the University of British Columbia in curriculum studies. Megan is a whole systems thinker who offers mentorship, leadership, and responsive coaching specific to pedagogical applications of outdoor play and learning. Megan speaks to the benefits of increasing equitable access to outdoor play and learning (OPAL) during the school day as essential work for school systems, and is well-known for how she supports teachers and schools navigate their existing systems to collectively re-think where and how learning happens. 

Megan currently holds two professional portfolios as an employee of a public school district. This work includes supporting education professionals and elementary school teachers as an early learning & outdoor learning teacher consultant. 

Important Details to Note Prior to Registering:

  • This online free training is offered to childcare staff working in Burnaby and Vancouver. 
  • Only registered individuals will be allowed to join the workshop.
  • Professionals attending will receive a professional development certificate if applicable within one week of the workshop.
  • Participation is required. Your video needs to be on, your camera must be enabled and your microphone working to receive your certificate. Participants must stay for the full workshop/course to receive a certificate.
  • You can join the Zoom link 15 minutes prior to the presentation start time. We will not admit anyone 15 minutes after the start time with respect to the presenters and participants.
  • All participants are expected to complete an online survey after the training.
  • If you cannot attend please do your best to provide 48 hours notice. If you do not cancel and do not show up you will be put on a waitlist and removed from future trainings.