Learning Through Play | 8:45am-12pm

Overview of the importance of play in the healthy development of children

An engaging presentation on play and learning through play, including evidence from research and practice. Topics include: the benefits of self-directed play, exploring risk, nature play, resilience and the adult’s role in supporting play.

Loose parts play

Participants will play and create with a multitude of materials (loose parts) and tools. They will plunge into the joy of self-directed, spontaneous play and thus feel firsthand what children experience during free play.

Debrief

A discussion of what participants discovered during free play, focus on the play/learning environment, and a Q&A session.

Learning Through Play | 1:00pm-4:00pm

Physical Literacy

This section focuses on physical literacy development through child-directed play. Participants will have access to materials and tools to create various elements which provide different learning opportunities related to movement.

Indoor/outdoor play space

Participants will have access to a variety of materials to create a model of an indoor/outdoor space that they would like to have at their site. We will then discuss the possibilities and the challenges.

Outdoor play

This section looks at outdoor play with a focus on natural elements and transforming space to place. We will take a look at what is being done in different parts of the world with a focus on the forest kindergarten. Weather and time permitting, we will go outside.

Attention: Supervisors/Managers
“Do not miss this amazing opportunity for your staff to play, learn and think with Pierre Harrison!  I highly recommend this session for Early Years, Child Care, Recreation Leaders and all those working with children and families. It was one of the most impacting PL sessions we have been involved in.
Pierre’s presentation is informative, energizing and helped our staff to challenge their thinking.
We are seeing so many positive changes in our programming with more opportunities for children to show they are competent and capable along with more outdoor play.  I am so excited that Pierre is returning to the area to inspire others.” Colleen Kjellman, E.D., Brass Bell Family Resource Centre

Register here: https://learnthroughplay.eventbrite.ca