Supporting Growing and Learning through Outdoor Nature Practices and Risky Play

Presented by Cindy Curry | March 4, 2026 7PM EST

1 HOUR | LIVE ONLINE via ZOOM | INTERACTIVE

Camera and Audio REQUIRED
There is no free access option ($19 to join)

It’s time to bust the myth that learning only happens indoors. We need to recognize and value the that naturally occurs when children are outdoors. By doing so, we can confidently advocate for outdoor play and overcome our apprehension of risky play and spending time outside. As we
unpack our concerns and challenges, can we plan our days around spending more time outdoors and connecting with and in nature.

This workshop invites early childhood professionals to reflect on their own beliefs, explore the benefits and realities of outdoor and risky play, and identify practical strategies for supporting children’s learning outside. Through discussion and real-world examples, educators will gain tools to balance safety with meaningful risk, address common barriers, and make children’s outdoor learning visible to families, colleagues, and administrators.

Teachers, therapists, social workers, and other early childhood professionals working with young children will benefit from this webinar.

Objectives

1. Describe the benefits of outdoor play.

2. Analyze the challenges for adults spending time outdoors with children.

3. Explore how risky play supports children’s confidence, problem-solving, and resilience.

4. Identify ways to overcome challenges in doing risky play

5. Identify strategies for documenting and making children’s outdoor learning visible learning visible

How to Obtain Your CE Certificate:

You MUST turn your camera on for the entirety of the workshop (and audio during interactive activities)
-> CAMERA/AUDIO NOT REQUIRED FOR THOSE ATTENDING TO GET A CERTIFICATE OF ATTENDANCE ONLY.

You MUST attend the workshop from start to finish
You MUST submit the evaluation form after the workshop (will be sent via email)

This Workshop Offers The Following CE Certificate/Credits

You will select your Certificate or Credit Type after you pay the registration fee. After that, you'll be redirected to a form where you’ll be prompted to choose the Certificate/Credit Type you wish to receive.

1.0 CTLE CONTACT HOURS

New York State Education Department, Continuing Teacher and Leader Education (CTLE)

Provider Code #23394

Approval Period: 3/29/22 - 3/29/2027

Young Child Learning is recognized by the New York State Education Department's Office of Teaching Initiatives as an approved sponsor of CTLE for Professional Classroom Teachers, School Leaders and Level III Teaching Assistants.

1.0 NYSED SW CONTACT HOURS

New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work (NYSED SW)

Provider Code #0365

Approval Period: 8/31/25 - 8/31/28

Young Child Learning is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers. Young Child Learning maintains responsibility for the program. Social work professionals should contact their regulatory board to confirm course approval for continuing education credits.

1.0 ASWB CE CREDITS (BEGINNER LEVEL)

Association of Social Work Boards
(ASWB)

Provider Code #1366
Approval Period: 3/30/25-3/30/28

Young Child Learning, #1366, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 3/30/22-3/30/25. Social workers completing this course receive 1.0 General continuing education credits.

Cancellation Policy

If you cancel within 30 days before the event, the registration fee is not refundable. However, you will receive a credit for the registration fee which can be applied to another Young Child Learning event within the following 12 months. The processing fee is non-refundable.

Speaker's Biography

Cindy Curry is a passionate leader in Early Childhood Education with over 35 years of experience. She is the director of a rural child care program and a CBA Advisor with ELCC Manitoba. Cindy also facilitates workshops for Children, Naturally EL&CC and has been an instructor at Red River College, Portage Campus, guiding Early Childhood Education students as well as operating Growing Wild Forest & Nature School.
Her extensive career includes operating a licensed family child care program and advocating for children’s connection to nature. Cindy is committed to continuous professional development, with certifications such as the Playworker Development Course and Forest & Nature School Practitioner. She has written for publications such as Play Outdoors Magazine and Bridges, the Manitoba Child Care Association quarterly magazine. Cindy has received multiple accolades, including the Exceptional Family Child Care Provider award in 2022.

Host's Biography

Dr. Scott Mesh is the Director of Young Child Learning and the CEO and Co-Founder of Los Niños Services which serves 2,000 young children with special needs each year through homecare and center services. He is a Clinical Psychologist with over 25 years of experience working with young children and their families and is an expert on assessing young children for developmental disabilities and autism. He has helped thousands of parents over the years make the transition to gaining help for their children through early childhood special education services. He is a leader in early childhood development and working effectively with parents.

System Requirements

You can access this webinar from various devices and platforms, on both PC and Mac desktops/laptops, as well as Android and iOS mobile devices. Our system requirements for these follow below.

Minimum system requirements

Browser: The latest Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, or Opera for desktop/laptop
A broadband connection with a minimum speed of 5 Mbps

PC specific requirements

Platform: Windows 8.1 or higher with the latest updates installed
RAM: 4GB or more
Video: Graphics output capability
Sound: Sound output capability

Mac specific requirement

Platform: Mac OS X 10.12 or higher with the latest updates installed
RAM: 4GB or more
Video: Graphics output capability
Sound: Sound output capability

Mobile specific requirements

iOS 15.0 and above
Android 7.0 and above

Grievance Policy & Procedure

Young Child Learning will comply with all legal and ethical responsibilities to be non-discriminatory in promotional activities, program content and in the treatment of program participants.

The monitoring and assessment of compliance with these standards will be the responsibility of Young Child Learning. All grievances must be submitted in writing (via e-mail or mail) within 7 days after purchase of the webinar. Any supporting documents must be included with the submitted complaint.

For all grievances, contact information (name, phone number, and email) must be provided in the case that the Young Child Learning team may need clarification.

Submit complaints in writing to Young Child Learning, 505 8th Avenue, Floor 12A Room 02, New York, NY 10018 or via email at [email protected].

Special Accommodations or Requests

Individuals in need of special accommodations should contact the Admin, Cari Laroza at (212) 787-9700 ext. 3330 to make a request. Include name, contact info, webinar details, and accommodation needs. Our team will review requests and respond within 7-12 business days. Confidentiality is maintained. Compliance with ADA is assured.

Requests for special accommodations must be made prior to purchasing the webinar.

Individuals will be informed if the request can be accommodated. Once the individual confirms, the special accommodations will be secured. If the individual finds that they no longer need of the accommodations, they must inform the Admin.