Promoting children's wellbeing and values learning in risky learning spaces

Abstract

In this chapter, the author disrupts taken-for-granted definitions of learning spaces as she considers spaces that might support children'swellbeing and values learning. She discusses learning spaces as thinking spaces, planning spaces, physical spaces and spaces for children's active citizenship and values learning. Such spaces, whether highly designed or not, offer opportunities for supporting children's wellbeing through risk-taking. Much has been written about the value of learning spaces that support physical risk-taking. In this chapter, the author proposes 'emotional obstacle courses' that support children's social and emotional risk-taking. Risky social and emotional learning spaces offer children opportunities to explore issues such as social justice and sustainability.While such spaces might be risky for educators and children, they may support children's learning to become change agents in a complex world. If educators aim to support the wellbeing of children and societies, then such risks are worth taking.