June 2013 Outdoor Play in Early Childhood Services

Promoting the value of play – Play Australia invites you to attend a seminar about outdoor play environments in children’s services and schools.

Outdoor play is considered to be a vital part of childhood experience. The outdoor environment and the programs that are planned in them, provide unique opportunities to develop and extend children’s skills and concepts as well as fostering, a sense of excitement about learning. Outdoor play supports social development as well as providing opportunities for the development of self-esteem and confidence in their own abilities. The outdoor program is not an optional add‑on to a ‘main’ indoor program, but an essential key component of every service for young children. (Kerry Rogers, 2003)

These seminars will help participants to understand how to get quality play and learning outdoors, and how to develop dynamic environments with natural settings. These seminars will give people working with children in Early Years services information, practical ideas and support that can be taken away and implemented immediately.

Presentations will include

- Outdoor play in dynamic settings

- Natural Enviroments and behaviours

- The importance of nature in children's development

- Sustainability Practices

- Secret Places

- Plants for Playspaces

- Safety, Risk and Danger

- Shade and Sunsmart Update

Who should attend?
Staff, parents, and owners and operators of licensed children’s services and schools. Spaces are limited to 40.