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Mess Makes Meaning
Caring for young children's spirituality is a delicate balance and can often be made more difficult when we grown-ups don't care for ourselves. Struggling through religious or church related trauma or even feelings of inadequacy when it comes to answering our children's big questions. At Mess Makes Meaning we are here to equip the parents/caregivers to remind them and their children they are deeply loved by interviewing some guests who are professionals in this vital work. With relatable humor from hosts and guests alike, this podcast is for you and created by Godly Play®
Mess Makes Meaning
Risky Play - Don't say "be careful"!
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In this episode of Mess Makes Meaning, Joy Studer is joined by Rachel Ramsden, an advocate for risky play and part of the Play Outside Lab in Vancouver, BC. Together, they explore what it means to support children as they engage in healthy, developmentally important risk-taking through play.
Rachel invites parents, caregivers, and educators to rethink how we respond when children explore challenge, uncertainty, and physical limits in their play. Rather than defaulting to “be careful,” she offers alternative language and perspectives that help children build confidence, resilience, and good judgment while staying safe and supported.
We also discuss the role of risky play in child development and how environments can be shaped to allow for exploration without removing all challenge or discomfort. This conversation encourages adults to trust children’s capabilities while still providing thoughtful guidance and presence.
Whether you’re parenting, teaching, or walking alongside children in any capacity, this episode offers practical tools and a fresh perspective on how to support growth through play, courage, and connection.