Internationally acclaimed play worker Morgan Leichter-Saxby presents: Play Worker Training 102 – Thursday, Oct. 12, 2017 at Bernheim
In the world of play work in the United States, Morgan Leichter-Saxby is a leading expert. Trained in the United Kingdom, Morgan works with Pop-Up Adventure Play to help spread the play movement in the United States and Canada. In addition to helping train people about the complexities of working with children in free play environments, Morgan also advises organizations in the development of adventure playgrounds.
Play Worker Training 102 is a two-hour play worker training program targeted to educators, play workers, playground design professionals, parents and anyone with an interest in bettering their skills for working directly with children in free play environments. Participation doesn’t require existing knowledge of the free play movement, but this workshop reaches a bit beyond the basics. For early childcare professionals in Kentucky, two hours of professional development credit through the ECE-TRIS system will be available.
Time: 6-8 p.m.
Location: Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest – Visitor Center
Cost: $20/person upon registration (contact us if this prohibits your participation)
Registration in advance required. Contact Bernheim at 502-955-8512
Play Worker Training 102 – Workshop Details
This workshop delves into the history of Adventure Playgrounds and the UK-based field of Playwork, providing context and new vocabulary for play support practitioners and advocates in any setting. While playing, children learn how to negotiate conflict, build resiliency, and construct the worlds they need to thrive. Case studies will illustrate the processes of both play and play support, and facilitate discussion of key issues such as incremental risk, team reflective practice and engaging parents from the start. The format blends presentation with discussion, and hands-on activities with loose parts.
Training objectives:
- Understand the adventure playground movement historically and today
- Build context for the play lives of children in their care
- Employ key phrases such as play deprivation, play frame, and compound flexibility
- Learn the limitations of conventional play spaces
- Examine preconceptions related to children’s play and adult intervention
- Redefine ‘play value’ in the context of site improvements
- Share and grow skills of reflective practice both as individuals and members of a team
- Discuss ‘trigger’ moments in play support, and the role of observation in providing context for adult fears
- Learn mathematical approaches to balancing risk and benefit in play provision
- Advocate for children’s play within and beyond the school community
How does this training relate to early childhood education?
Educators aware of the benefits of play for children often feel frustrated by difficulties in implementing environmental changes or isolated in their advocacy work. This workshop focuses on providing inspiration and next step support for educators and play practitioners, as well as new vocabulary to discuss difficult topics such as risk and intervention.