WORKSHOP TITLE: Introduction to Play Based Learning
FACILITATOR: Dr. Minda Elfise-Blackman
DURATION: 2 days (5 hours per day)
WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION:
This two-day interactive workshop introduces participants to the principles and practices of play-based learning in early childhood education settings. The workshop explores how purposeful play supports children’s cognitive, social, emotional and physical development while strengthening foundational academic skills. Participants will examine the role of the teacher in facilitating meaningful play experiences, design play-based learning activities, and learn strategies for integrating play into the curriculum and classroom routines. Through hands-on activities, collaborative discussions and real classroom examples, educators will gain practical tools to implement play-based learning in their educational contexts.
LEARNING OUTCOME:
- At the end of the workshop, participants should be able to:
- Define play-based learning and explain its importance in child development.
- Explain theories of play
- Identify different types of play and their contribution to learning.
- Highlight the impact of play on the various domains of a child’s development
- Integrate play into lesson planning and curriculum delivery.
- Critique the experience of engaging in play-based learning in comparison to current learning strategies used.
- Create classroom environments that support exploration, creativity and collaboration.
- Evaluate play based learning as it relates to academic learning outcomes and its inclusion of STREAM (science, technology, reading/literacy, engineering, art, math)
TARGET PARTICIPANTS:
Teachers, early childhood educators and administrators
REQUIRED MATERIALS:
Playdough, construction paper, glue, cover stock, costumes (doctor, fireman), alphabet and number cards, blocks, permanent makers.