Dr. Megan Zeni

Outdoor play & learning (OPAL) researcher 🌱 K-7 Teacher Consultant 🌱School Gardens 🌱 Outdoor Classrooms 🌱 Risky Play 🌱 Author

[🔥Teachers On Fire @TeachersOnFire]

Could it be that our schools are TOO SAFE?

Join me for a fascinating conversation with @MBrussoni and @RoomToPlay about child development, affordable risks, and outdoor play in our schools.

0:00:00 - Welcoming Dr. Mariana Brussoni and Dr. Megan Zeni

2:00 - Distinguishing between RISKS and HAZARDS in the school environment

5:24 - As safe as necessary but not as safe as possible

7:14 - Surplus safety as a barrier to development

10:06 - The 17-second pause before intervening

12:42 - Links between the decline of risky play and the rise in student anxiety

18:35 - Creating 'Yes spaces' in our schools

27:02 - Healthy rough-and-tumble play vs actual aggression

30:19 - Items to add to a playground

35:22 - Going outdoors consistently beats occasional trips

38:16 - How and where to connect with the authors online

[Richmond School District Early Learning @sd38ELCC]

🎶👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 What a wonderful Early Learning Family Event! Families enjoyed playful explorations, a lively concert, connected w/ community partners, & built relationships w/other families & SD38 Early Learning staff. Thank you for being part of such a joyful afternoon 💛 @SD38elcc

[Dr. Megan Zeni @Roomtoplay]

Happening tomorrow afternoon! 👇 #sd38learn

[Richmond School District Early Learning @sd38ELCC]

Join us for our third Early Learning Family event at Thompson Elementary featuring Will‘s Jams @willsjamsmusic No registration required.

[Dr. Megan Zeni @Roomtoplay]

How lucky am I? SEED is one of the many projects I get to support in my day to day work as an early learning teacher consultant in #sd38 🫶 #sd38learn

[Richmond School District Early Learning @sd38ELCC]

Our S.E.E.D Family Learning series is planting seeds for lifelong learning! This four-part series reviewed the importance of outdoor play for strengthening social & emotional learning, numeracy & literacy skills in the early years for children aged 0-5 @sd38ELCC

[Dr. Megan Zeni @Roomtoplay]

Looking for an on-demand opportunity to hear @mbrussoni & I talk about the research supporting #riskyplay plus our top tips for creating conditions that support risky play in schools? We’ve recorded a session for this year’s @IPAUSA_PLAY virtual conference! 🎉

[Dr. Megan Zeni @Roomtoplay]

So proud to be a part of this phenomenal early learning team! What a wonderful morning we had👇#sd38learn

[Richmond School District Early Learning @sd38ELCC]

What an incredible Early Learning Family Event! Families came together for hands-on activities, meaningful connections, and unforgettable moments. @WillsJams brought the energy with a performance that had everyone singing and dancing! Thank you to @whitesidewolves for hosting us!

[Dr. Megan Zeni @Roomtoplay]

This *new* funding initiative offers an exciting opportunity for school districts in eligible regions! 👇 https://t.co/BrN4p7ibAK

[Richmond School District Early Learning @sd38ELCC]

Do you have a 0-5 year old child? We welcome your family to our Early Learning for Family event on Tuesday, Jan 20 @whitesidewolves. Join us for fun and engaging learning experiences and @willsjamsmusic - JUNO nominated bilingual children's musician, former CBC Kids star! FREE!

[Richmond School District Early Learning @sd38ELCC]

Book your family’s spot here: https://t.co/23dXITxQOs

[C2C-BC @C2C_BC]

🌌🌟 Calling all BC educators!
Join us for the C2C 2025 Winter Solstice Celebration
Dec 17 · 4–5:30 PM PT
📍 Online
Register for FREE: https://t.co/K2Aif2ZZUD
#2025WinterSolstice #PlaceBasedEducation #LandBasedLearning

[Richmond School District Early Learning @sd38ELCC]

Our first Early Learning Family Event of the year is NEXT WEEK at Mitchell Elementary! This event features activity stations, opportunities to connect with other families, participation from community partners and a live performance by Ira Pettle! @IraPettle @sd38ELCC

[C2C-BC @C2C_BC]

✨ The magic of collaboration continues to shine!

This Friday, educators across BC will gather in their districts for an afternoon of in-person sharing thanks to amazing @EEPSA Local Chapters! 🌿

Some field experiences are still open! 💚
➡️ https://t.co/XAqp83GRau

#PSADay2025

[C2C-BC @C2C_BC]

🚨 This Year’s Program in 30 Seconds! The C2C 2025 Virtual Conference is just around the corner. Don’t miss out! Register by October 23rd.
👉 https://t.co/hOP2B8WVY0

#C2CConference #PSADay2025 #PlaceBasedEducation #OutdoorLearning #LandBasedLearning #IndigenousEducation

[C2C-BC @C2C_BC]

🌟 C2C Practitioner Success Stories
Hear how education practitioners are bridging classrooms and communities!
Discover their stories and join the conversation ➡️ https://t.co/soyThibqn9
#C2CConference #ProfessionalDevelopment #TurtleIslandEducators

[Dr. Megan Zeni @Roomtoplay]

Now available! 🎉 This publication supports our understanding of how teachers select OPAL instructional routines (play-as-practice & play-as-learning) & loose parts while meeting curricular & assessment responsibilities in the elementary school context @LeytonSchnell @mbrussoni

[Dr. Megan Zeni @Roomtoplay]

That’s a wrap on this year’s #SEY2K project 🤗 What a wonderful evening welcoming families into the school to play, eat together, connect with community partners, meet school staff & build relationships with neighbours! #sd38learn

[Richmond School District Early Learning @sd38ELCC]

Families connect w/ school, community and each other @mcneelyelem SEY2KT Kinder Community Night🫶🏼Connecting w/ a child's school before kindergarten is crucial! It helps families build relationships, gain a sense of belonging and ease the transition for all involved🩷@sd38elcc

[Dr. Megan Zeni @Roomtoplay]

Check out the work @teacherkelseyy is doing in Prince George! She’s a powerful advocate who deeply understands the impact outdoor play & learning has on children’s experiences of school 🤗 #OLConference2025

[Gillian Judson, PhD @perfinker]

Day Two was amazing. Banff and the #OLconference25 do not disappoint

[Dr. Megan Zeni @Roomtoplay]

Absolutely my favourite conference 🤩!!

[Gillian Judson, PhD @perfinker]

And it begins! #OLConference25 Banff, you never disappoint. Excited about next few days of learning
(Miss you @montessorimice)
@Roomtoplay @TheOLStore @takemeoutside @CBEENetwork

[Dr. Megan Zeni @Roomtoplay]

So impressed with how many families joined us in the rain! 💦 #sd38learn

[Richmond School District Early Learning @sd38ELCC]

Our @sd38elcc outdoor Early Learning Family event had new experiences for many - including rubber chickens!!