Challenging Play and Learning

Day One – Help me to Learn, Contexts for Learning

Every child is captured by an exciting image, story or situation. Setting up contexts which stimulate children’s thinking and engagement helps children make sense of the learning they are involved in. Contexts often present learning in ways that are meaning and purposeful.

Anyone who has watched children playing in a well-planned and well-resourced learning environment with involved adults will have observed the joy and excitement the children experience as they learn new skills and make fresh discoveries.

The actual process of learning is as important as the learning outcome. The more exciting, active and challenging the process the more each child will engage with this process allowing a greater depth of understanding to be developed.

Day Two – Challenge, Breadth, Depth and Progression in Learning

Research shows that children learn more effectively when there are explicit links and connections in their learning. Children don’t learn in boxes – they learn most effectively when they themselves can make links in their learning. They learn most effectively when their learning is motivating, exciting and connected.

Play offers an invitation to the possibilities inherent in things and events. When children are involved in ‘playfulness’ they are often involved in spontaneity, curiosity, flexibility and creativity.

Loose part play is a wonderful way to challenge children’s thinking and engagement. It offers opportunity for children to think and explore their ideas and opinions deeply. Having “loose parts” available in a play space allows children to use these materials as they choose. Encouraging children to use resources as they choose can provide a wider range of opportunities than one that is purely adult led.

Day Three – Experiential Learning

Some of the skills and techniques that will be shared;

• Characteristics of trainers
• Structuring a session
• Delivery techniques
• Engage and motivate learners
• Communicate, questioning and sharing knowledge
• Effective visual aids

The third day will use various examples, learning prompts, visual aids and PowerPoint messages from the first two days to begin to shape the way delegates will share and train in their own situations.

We will explore many engagement techniques and try out on fellow delegates short ideas and ‘trials’ to ensure each technique is understood.