Orestes, Laura Anne2015-08-262015-08-2620152015-08-26http://hdl.handle.net/1828/6559This project examines the many benefits of risky play for children’s development and also looks at how adults’ beliefs and values influence children’s opportunity to take risks in their play. This project will answer two questions: "How is risky play beneficial to children's development?" and "How do adults' attitudes affect children's opportunities for risky play?" In our society, risk is generally seen as something that is negative and should be avoided, but in this project a literature review is conducted and a series of professional development workshops is developed to help staff working in early learning centres reframe their beliefs about risk. The review of the literature examines what risky play is, the types of risky play, the benefits of risky play, the drawbacks of not engaging in risky play, what makes some children more likely to take risks in their play, what types of environments provide for risky play, and the characteristics of appropriate outdoor play spaces for children. Several studies discussing how important individual and cultural attitudes and beliefs about risky play are in allowing children to take risks in their play will also be discussed. The influence of values and beliefs on teaching practice, how to go about making changes in teaching practices, and what elements make professional development more effective will also be examined. If child care centre staff see risk as something that contributes to children’s development in a positive way, they will be more likely to encourage and support children to take risks and challenges in their play.enAvailable to the World Wide Webrisky playearly childhoodvaluesprofessional developmentproject