Active Play, Every Day

Ever have one of those playground moments where you pause between “be careful” and letting your child figure it out?

That risky play matters more than you think! The climbing. The jumping. The speed.

In this episode of Active Play, Every Day, Dr. Emily Greenwald talks with Dr. Mariana Brussoni, a global leader in risky play research, about why these moments are not reckless play–it is essential play.

In this episode, we cover:

• What risky play actually is
• How it supports confidence, resilience, and emotional regulation
• The difference between risk and hazard
• Why “be careful” often backfires
• Dr. Emily's Active Play prescription for families learning how to step out of their comfort zone

Full episode notes

Thanks for listening! If this episode helped your family, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. It's the best way to help other parents find the show.

Active Play, Every Day is sponsored by Nex Playground. The controller-free console and Play Pass subscription offer 60+ active games for kids and adults, including Bluey: Bust a Move, Barbie Dance Party, NFL FLAG Heroes, and Sonic Forces Rival Rush, with new games and updates every month. Learn more at Nex Playground.

Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice.

The latest Active Play, Every Day episode, challenges the traditional sedentary school model and explores how embedding movement throughout the school day through action-based learning can transform focus, behavior, academic performance, and student well-being.

Imagine a school where academic performance soars, behavior issues dwindle, and mental health concerns diminish. This is not just a dream but a reality for many schools implementing active play strategies. In this blog post, we explore insights from the Active Play Everyday podcast, hosted by Dr. Emily, in which she discusses the transformative impact of action-based learning on children's education with Principal Paul Travers.

Resources, Supply List & Shownotes

Thanks for listening! If this episode helped your family, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. It's the best way to help other parents find the show.

Active Play, Every Day is sponsored by Nex Playground. The controller-free console and Play Pass subscription offer 60+ active games for kids and adults, including Bluey: Bust a Move, Barbie Dance Party, NFL FLAG Heroes, and Sonic Forces Rival Rush, with new games and updates every month. Learn more at Nex Playground.

Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice.

Our kids are moving less than ever before. That matters. It matters for their bodies, their brains, their mental health, and their confidence.

If you believe movement matters, but daily life, packed schedules, screen negotiations, weather, homework, and tired evenings often make it feel complicated, the Active Play, Every Day podcast is for you.

Active Play, Every Day is more than a podcast. It is a movement to reclaim active, joyful play in childhood. Play isn’t extra. It is essential.

Hosted by Dr. Emily Greenwald, a double-boarded pediatrician, mom of three, and childhood wellness advocate, this bi-weekly podcast explores how daily movement shapes kids’ physical health, brain development, emotional regulation, confidence, and resilience. Most importantly, it offers families a realistic path to 60 minutes of active play every day, without guilt, pressure, or impossible standards.

For show notes and resources, visit ActivePlayEveryDay.com 

Thanks for listening! If this episode helped your family, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. It's the best way to help other parents find the show.

Active Play, Every Day is sponsored by Nex Playground. The controller-free console and Play Pass subscription offer 60+ active games for kids and adults, including Bluey: Bust a Move, Barbie Dance Party, NFL FLAG Heroes, and Sonic Forces Rival Rush, with new games and updates every month. Learn more at Nex Playground.

Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice.