Outdoor play helps children build confidence, empathy, and resilience. Learn about outdoor exploration and risk with Arianne Condrick Bettazzi.

When we give children space to dig, build, test, and imagine outdoors, we're not just letting them play. 

We're building thinkers, risk-takers and confident learners.

In this episode, Arianne Condrick-Bettazzi shares how creating thoughtful outdoor spaces gives children opportunities to test their abilities and grow. 

[00:28:45] “When children are bored, that's when they're rascally. You want to get rid of the rascalliness? Then create engaging [spaces] and places that create age-appropriate risk.” 

This conversation offers encouragement and practical insight for parents and educators who want to support confident, courageous learners.



Resources


  
Carmel Mountain Preschool Play Practice Purpose Conference



  
Buy Your Tickets to the Play Practice Purpose Conference



  
Outdoor Classroom Project



  
Conscious Discipline



  
The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt



  
The Comfort Crisis by Michael Easter



  
The Whole Brain Child by Dr. Dan Siegel and Dr. Tina Payne Bryson



  
The Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv



  
Good Inside by Dr. Becky Kennedy



  
The Way of Play by Dr. Tina Payne Bryson



  
Simplicity Parenting by Kim John Payne and Lisa M. Ross



  
The Self-Driven Child by Ned Johnson and Dr. William Stixrud 



  
Adventures in Risky Play by Rusty Keeler



  
Nature Explore Classroom Program



  
Community Playthings



  
Bienenstock Natural Playgrounds

The Power of Outdoor Play: Building Confidence Through Courageous Risk

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