Outdoor Play in Early Childhood Services 0-8 years AUGUST

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)
The National and Victorian Early Years Frameworks indicate the importance of the natural environment in the learning process for young children.  These seminars aim to give people working with children in Early Years services information, practical information and support that can be taken away and implemented in their services immediately.

Presentations will include

- Working with the frameworks and play opportunities    

- Environments and behaviours

- The importance of nature in children’s development

- Sustainability practices

- Secret places

- How to program for learning outside

- Outdoor play for toddlers

- 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.