Play Australia is delighted to have received funding from Warrawong Professional Learning Grants, to develop and deliver an online series specifically for early childhood educators.
This specialised online training series will provide professional development to early years educators that highlights the need to increase opportunities for outdoor programing and planning for nature-based play and environmental sustainability awareness.
The series will bring specialist presenters right to your desk, to share their expertise and passion for early childhood education! The sessions will focus on the connection between outdoor play and the healthy physical and mental development of young children today. Developed for educators who work with children every day, each session will provide practical strategies to support their daily work.
But really, it is for everyone who has an interest in supporting the best outdoor play environments and programming for children!
The series comprises five sessions each school term. Sessions are scheduled every fortnight on alternating Mondays and Thursdays, at 4pm. This is to provide access for as many educators as possible.
During times of crisis, play has an important and extremely valuable role in supporting children's mental and physical wellbeing. But how do parents and carers support play in such difficult circumstances?
Robyn Monro Miller will provide information for those working with families, parents and children, offering guidance on how best to support children's play during challenging times.
Robyn Monro Miller is currently a Board member for Play Australia and Children’s Week and since 2017, she has held the position of President of the International Play Association (IPA) (the first Aussie in their 60year history).
Recommended for: Contractors, staff, parents, Early Years Management and owners / operators of licensed children’s services.
Children, Play and Crisis
Thursday 19 May 2022
4:00pm-5:00pm CBR, BNE, HBA, MEL, SYD (AEST)
*Attendees from times zones other than AEST will need to join the session per their respective time zone as follows:
3:30pm-4:30pm ADL, DRW (ACST)
2:00pm-3:00pm PER (AWST)
Click here to become a Play Australia Member
This session has now closed.
Risky Play is necessary to build confidence, self-esteem and resilience in very young children, but how do we define this risk benefit? Educators will have the opportunity to see examples of risky play in action outdoors and how this is shared with families and reflected upon within the educating team.
Presented by Barb Champion (Executive Director, Play Australia) and Bron Joslyn (Early Childhood Teacher, Diamond Creek Memorial Kindergarten).
Recommended for: Contractors, staff, parents, Early Years Management and owners / operators of licensed children’s services.
Outdoor and "Risky" Play for Child Development
Monday 30 May 2022
4:00pm-5:00pm CBR, BNE, HBA, MEL, SYD (AEST)
*Attendees from times zones other than AEST will need to join the session per their respective time zone as follows:
3:30pm-4:30pm ADL, DRW (ACST)
2:00pm-3:00pm PER (AWST)
Click here to become a Play Australia Member
Click here to register for Outdoor and "Risky" Play for Child Development
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. It is a requirement as detailed in the National Quality Standards and regular playspace maintenance is essential for every early years’ service.
This one-day program will focus on the risk management requirements and Australian Standards for the management and maintenance of outdoor play spaces in supervised early learning services in Australia.
Your presenters are highly qualified and experienced practitioners in playspace and equipment design and risk management.
Read more about Alison Curtis and Barb Champion
Recommended for: Contractors, staff, parents, Early Years Management and owners / operators of licensed children’s services.
Maintenance Requirements for Early Years Outdoor Play Areas
Wednesday 1 June 2022
10:00am-1:30pm
Where:
Westerfolds Park, Fitzsimons Lane, Templestowe, VIC
Cost:
$165.00 (inc gst) per Play Australia Member
$250.00 (inc gst) per non-member
Morning tea provided, spaces limited
Click here to become a Play Australia Member
This session is now full. See below for additional dates.
We focus so much on the indoors and often documentation is heavily focused on children’s indoor learning. Join us to explore the world of documenting outdoors and discover the intersect between indoors and out.
Bron Joslyn is a Play Australia Board Member, Service Director and Early Childhood Teacher at Diamond Creek Memorial Kindergarten, Early Childhood Consultant and Committee Member of Environmental Education in Early Childhood ‘EEEC’.
Recommended for: Contractors, staff, parents, Early Years Management and owners / operators of licensed children’s services.
National Quality Standards: Enjoy Documenting Outdoor Play and Learning
Thursday 9 June 2022
4:00pm-5:00pm CBR, BNE, HBA, MEL, SYD (AEST)
*Attendees from times zones other than AEST will need to join the session per their respective time zone as follows:
3:30pm-4:30pm ADL, DRW (ACST)
2:00pm-3:00pm PER (AWST)
Click here to become a Play Australia Member
Click here to register for Documenting Outdoor Play and Learning
This presentation will define what a natural environment includes in a play based setting and highlight potential curriculum links for supporting children’s learning and development in these spaces. Anne Houghton will provide practical suggestions to increase children’s exposure to a natural environment through direct and indirect experiences.
Anne Houghton is a highly experienced and qualified early childhood educator with a range of diverse roles and experiences. She worked as a kindergarten teacher for 30 years, Gowrie Victoria undertaking roles as Kindergarten Cluster Management Coordinator, Early Childhood Consultant in Resources and Trainer and Assessor of Diploma and Certificate 3 in Children’s Services.
Recommended for: Contractors, staff, parents, Early Years Management and owners / operators of licensed children’s services.
Intentional Teaching in Natural Environments
Thursday 16 June 2022
4:00pm-5:00pm CBR, BNE, HBA, MEL, SYD (AEST)
*Attendees from times zones other than AEST will need to join the session per their respective time zone as follows:
3:30pm-4:30pm ADL, DRW (ACST)
2:00pm-3:00pm PER (AWST)
Click here to become a Play Australia Member
Click here to register for Intentional Teaching in Natural Environments
Join us for a conversation with a leading advocate for inclusive play, Dr Ann Kennedy-Behr, a highly experienced clinician, who is passionate about supporting parents and caregivers of children with disabilities.
Dr Ann Kennedy-Behr has recently returned to clinical practice after her role as Senior Lecturer in Occupational Therapy, University South Australia. She has taught in occupational therapy programs in Germany, Austria and Australia.
When playspaces are designed to be inclusive, it means everyone, no matter their ability, age, cultural or social background, can play together side-by-side. (Inclusive SA)
Recommended for: Contractors, staff, parents, Early Years Management and owners / operators of licensed children’s services.
Not Every Child "Just Knows" How to Play
Monday 20 June 2022
4:00pm-5:00pm CBR, BNE, HBA, MEL, SYD (AEST)
*Attendees from times zones other than AEST will need to join the session per their respective time zone as follows:
3:30pm-4:30pm ADL, DRW (ACST)
2:00pm-3:00pm PER (AWST)
Click here to become a Play Australia Member
Click here to register for Not Every Child "Just Knows" How to Play
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. It is a requirement as detailed in the National Quality Standards and regular playspace maintenance is essential for every early years’ service.
This one-day program will focus on the risk management requirements and Australian Standards for the management and maintenance of outdoor play spaces in supervised early learning services in Australia.
Your presenters are highly qualified and experienced practitioners in playspace and equipment design and risk management.
Read more about Alison Curtis and Barb Champion
Recommended for: Contractors, staff, parents, Early Years Management and owners / operators of licensed children’s services.
Maintenance Requirements for Early Years Outdoor Play Areas
Wednesday 22 June 2022
10:00am-1:30pm
Where:
Westerfolds Park, Fitzsimons Lane, Templestowe, VIC
Cost:
$165.00 (inc gst) per Play Australia Member
$250.00 (inc gst) per non-member
Morning tea provided, spaces limited
Click here to become a Play Australia Member
Click here to register for Maintenance Requirements for Early Years Outdoor Play Areas