Using PACE to Promote Social Emotional Development is an experiential workshop that supports educators in making connections between various theatre/improvisation games and early childhood standard:

1. Self-Concept
2. Self-Control
3. Cooperation
4. Social Relationships

In Daniel Hughes’ book, Attachment-Focused Parenting: Effective Strategies to Care for Children, he uses the term PACE to illustrate the need for playfulness, acceptance, curiosity and empathy when caring for children. Tapping into the world of theatre games, we will explore various games and their relationship to each element in PACE to promote healthy social emotional development in children.

Objectives
At the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:

• Increase their tool kit of activities to include when designing lesson plans to support PLAYFULNESS
• Stretch ability to ACCEPT and create greater self-awareness when teaching
• Expand CURIOSITY and learn strategies to use with students
• Broaden social EMPATHY and learn techniques to support students in doing the same
• Participate in co-planning sessions to integrate immediately what is being taught.

Outline
Day 1:

• Overview of PACE and early childhood standards
• Compelling reasons for including game based activities to support social emotional development
• Define social emotional development and identify what it looks like in the classroom
• Engage in game based activities to support social emotion development and bring us together as a learning community
• Integrate game based activities into our curriculum
• Engage in exercises that support playfulness and acceptance

Day 2:

• Exploration of PACE game based activities to support students in building healthy relationships to self and others
• Game based activities that support curiosity and empathy
• Consider important elements when creating a classroom environment that supports social and emotional security and growth
• Design lesson plans from the game based exercises and integrate into our classrooms
• Sharing a unit that incorporates game based activities to support social emotional development

Throughout the two days, we will debrief the exercises to more accurately connect to:

• Specific age level appropriateness
• Incorporate into lesson plans
• Understand ourselves and others
• Have fun while learning

Trainer’s Profile

Lisa S., is an engaging and dynamic educator and facilitator with many years of teaching experience in  United States and Thailand. She earned a Masters in Teaching from John F. Kennedy University with a focus on differentiated instruction and supporting a multiple intelligence approach to teaching and learning. Lisa has also mentored and supervised new teachers earning their credentials as well as co-facilitating the weekly seminar for teaching candidates at Mills College.

Lisa published her first book, Reading and Writing Come Alive: Using Improvisation to Build Literacy: a guide designed for primary and secondary teachers, literacy specialists, professional development providers, and parents to engage and challenge students by helping them develop literacy skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) using improvisational theatre activities. In addition to literacy, many of the games build cooperation skills and improve student engagement.

Methodology

This workshop will invite educators to explore, ask questions, and play. Just as every student is different, so is each classroom and the teacher leading it. We will identify ways to personalize and incorporate the games and activities so that they enhance and energize what you are already doing. The workshop is highly experiential. What this means is that we will not talk about the exercise or game, but play it and then debrief it in order to connect what the experience was like with how it felt, and how it would best serve your students.

Target Audience

This workshop is designed for people involved in instruction of children ages 4-10.

This workshop will be of interest to pre-service teachers, classroom teachers, resource teachers, librarians, administrators, curriculum consultants, special education teachers, and teaching coaches.

Investment
AUD800.00/pax
AUD700.00/pax if register by 1 Jan 18
  
Other Details
Duration: 2 days, 12 hours
Closing Date:  1 Mar 18