The focus of this workshop is to enhance understanding about the importance of play as the essential mode of learning for young children. Through play, children gain life-long skills that maximize individual learning potentials.

Through discussions, hands-on and reflective activities, participants will gain a deeper understanding about the underpinnings of play – brain, cognitive, and social development, and how to organize the learning environment in order to maximize children’s learning potentials.

Objectives
Participants will:

• Identify and discuss the importance of play as the primary method of caring and educating young children.
• Identify and discuss the role of the adult in facilitating active play.
• Identify and discuss core social and cognitive play activities.
• Apply knowledge of learning principles toward organizing social and cognitive learning environments for active play

Outline 
Day 1: Overview of Play

• Recognizing the developmental levels of play
• Effects of play on the brain development
• Role of the facilitator in promoting play
• Powerful strategy of play in maximizing children’s learning

Day 2: Creating Effective Learning Spaces to Encourage Cognitive Play

• The process of learning
• Using the learning process to organize children’s learning spaces
• Core cognitive learning activities to encourage cognitive play

Day 3: Creating Effective Learning Spaces to Encourage Social Play

• Connection between social play and cognitive play
• Core cognitive learning activities to encourage social play
• Relationship between play and readiness to learn
• Summary – Integrating learning, play and the organization of the environment

Trainer’s Profile
Dr. Crowther’s background includes teaching in early childhood, elementary school, university and college programs. She has presented at numerous childcare conferences both nationally and internationally.  She has published articles in a variety of journals and has completed ten textbooks in the early years, and a number of children’s books that include photographs of children in a variety of international settings at play.

Today Dr. Crowther is working in various jurisdictions to help to develop developmentally appropriate learning environments and curricula for children and to facilitate adult learning in early years settings.

Methodology
This workshop includes active participation using discussion, reflective and hands-on exercises, and analysis of photographs, scenarios, and floor plans to foster a deeper understanding of the importance of active play.  Participants will use play-based principles to apply to personal learning and application.

Target Audience
This workshop is of special interest to any individuals involved in caring and educating young children in the early year settings including home and centre-based programs and school settings.

Investment
SGD690.00/pax
SGD590.00/pax if register by 1 Jun 2012

Other Details
Duration: 3 days, 18 hours
Closing Date: 1 Sep 12 15 Oct 12