Worried about your child's risky play?

Dr. Joanna Spotts joins me in this conversation to talk about the benefits of risky play and why it is essential for development. We also discuss ways to safely provide opportunities for risky play.

Joanna Spotts, EdD has been an educator for over 20 years. Dr. Joanna discovered her passion for risky play during her doctoral journey and seeks to use her voice to help others find the joy of risky play. Join her monthly newsletter to stay up to date!

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November 27, 2025

Episode 294

The Power of Risky Play (Why Your Child Needs It) with Dr. Joanna Spotts

About Your Host:

Cara Tyrrell, M.Ed. is a mom or three, early childhood author, parent educator, and founder of Core4Parenting. A former preschool and kindergarten teacher with degrees in ASL, Linguistics, and Education, she created the Collaborative Parenting Methodology™ to help parents, caregivers, and educators understand the power of intentional language in shaping a child’s identity, confidence, and future success.

As host of the top-ranking podcast Transforming the Toddler Years, Cara blends science and soul to show adults how to “talk to kids before they can talk back,” turning tantrums into teachable moments and everyday challenges into opportunities for connection. She is also the author of the forthcoming book Talk to Them Early and Often, a guide for raising emotionally intelligent kids who thrive in school and life.

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