(PS5): Planning and Hosting Free Play Events (2 hours ECE-TRIS credit)
Training Description
This workshop provides a basic understanding of the value of free play
along with how to plan and host free play events at your school or child care center. The workshop includes media presentations along with small group breakout activities and full group conversations. During the workshop participants will begin the process of planning a free play event that your organization might host as one way to better acquaint your school community with how free play supports healthy child development
Training Topics
- What is “free play” and how does it differ from “directed play” in child development
- How children benefit from free play experiences
- Play forensics: How observing children engaged in free play supports your understanding of play
- Using free play events to reach out to staff, parents and community stakeholders
- Identifying and gathering appropriate loose parts for your play environment
- Planning, promoting and hosting a Free Play Day
- How to turn a free play day into a regular part of your program
Training Objectives
Participants will:
- Be able to describe free play and how it differs from directed play
- Identify three benefits of free play in child development that are supported by research
- Create a list of 10-15 loose part materials appropriate for a free play event at their school
- Outline five steps in preparing for a first free play event
- Craft a simple free play event budget
- Name three online resources that can provide additional free play information
- Describe how to use a free play event to engage the entire school community
- Plan how to document a free play event in order to support play-based learning
How does this training relate to early childhood education?
Free play opportunities provide proven benefits to child development that differ from directed play opportunities. Understanding how to plan, promote and provide free play days is a great way for early childhood educators to provide age appropriate free play while simultaneously creating opportunities to communicate with parents and community stakeholders about the value of free play.
For more information on costs and scheduling click here.
