PLAY MATTERS - THE IMPORTANCE OF PLAY (Online Event)
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Description
Join us from the comfort of your home or work environment for our NEW online delivery of Play Matters – The Importance of Play. 
This dynamic webinar by Dr Dee O’Connor and our Walker Learning Consultant examines through presentation slides, video, expert panel discussions and audience Q&A the importance of child-initiated and self-directed play experiences, and how educators can optimise young children’s learning through a play-based pedagogy.
This PD is split into two manageable 2.5 hour sessions over 2 consecutive days. On the first day Dr Dee O’Connor, Associate Professor of Education at the University of Notre Dame, Australia – specialising in Early Childhood Education will be presenting. Dee holds over 25 years of experience in the field of Early Childhood Education and her research relates to play, learning environments, creativity and child development through education. In this session Dr. O’Connor will:
- Explore the theory of play and why play is fundamental for education in the early primary years
- Discuss the latest breakthroughs in neuroscience and how this impacts our understanding of young children’s development
- Discover innovative ways to add value to the teaching of literacy, numeracy, STEM and life skills
- Provide strategies for children to explore learning through Investigations which link to intentional teaching of all curricular areas
At the end of her session, Dee will be joined by our Walker Learning consultant for an expert panel discussion and audience Q&A.
The final hour of the first day will be devoted to the research and philosophy of Walker Learning.
On the second day our Walker Learning consultant will continue to unpack the key elements of Walker Learning in the early years of school (P/K/R/F -2) including:
- The core elements of Walker Learning
- Creating inspiring learning environments
- The Investigation session
- How literacy and numeracy can be linked into Investigations
- Implementation strategies for teams and schools
- Introduction to Walker Learning documentation which links to the existing curriculum framework
A “must-do” PD for educators and leadership who are interested in implementing play-based and inquiry learning.
Australian Professional Teaching Standards: APTS – 1.2, 3.4, 3.6, 3.7, 4.1,4.2, 5.4, 6.2
The Walker Learning Pathway
The Walker Learning Approach is a journey and is best implemented through a pathway of PD modules which can be attended online or delivered as customised sessions to your school. Play Matters - The Importance of Play is considered to be a Stage 1 module because it includes The Walker Learning Overview.
