Unlocking STEM through risky play in early learning

In this STEM Hour recording, our expert guests unpack their inspiring research exploring the role of risky play in early childhood education and how it can enhance early STEM learning. Some of the areas explored include: the different forms of risky play; how it can be safely implemented and encouraged; and how risky play can intersect effectively with early STEM learning environments. We’re thrilled to have had two risky play expert speakers for this STEM Hour:

Dr Shirley Wyver is a senior lecturer in child development at Macquarie University’s School of Education. She is the chief investigator in a multidisciplinary team known as the Sydney Playground Project. Her research and teaching focuses on how outdoor play interventions can impact a range of physical and social outcomes for young children.

Kelly West is the Service Director of Adamstown Community Early Learning and Preschool, which was involved in a nine-month research project in which 60 children — aged six months to five years — were exposed to risky play. Children were taught to play with fire, power tools, and knives as part of building their confidence, resilience, and risk awareness. Kelly West has fascinating insights into how risky play continued at Adamstown after the research period concluded, as well as from her perspective as an educator and behavioural development specialist.

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