Learn to Play Program

Program details

Program description

The Learn to Play Program is now preferred to be referred to as the Learn to Play Approach.

Self-initiated play is regarded as a way for children to explore the world and learn about themselves. The assumption is that pretend play will help to improve multiple areas of child development, including language, self-regulation, social interactions and problem-solving. Two workshops are available:

The Learn to Play Approach for Kindergarten Teachers Workshop (two day online workshop, plus three x 1.5 hour Q&A follow-up sessions)

The two day online workshop is designed to give educators a deeper understanding of pretend play, how it develops, and why pretend play is important for literacy, narrative understanding, social competence and self-regulation.

This practical workshop will take educators through the Pretend Play Checklist for Teachers with case studies for practice. The Pretend Play Checklist for Teachers is a new assessment to assist educators to observe and report on the pretend play ability of children in their care.

It provides a framework to assist educators identify targeted activities at kindergarten, information to pass onto parents, and specific observations of a child's play to inform report writing and transition reports.

The three Q&A follow-up sessions (1.5hrs per session) are scheduled approximately three weeks from the date of the two day workshop. These sessions are designed to consolidate the information covered in the workshop, allowing for educators who have begun implementing the Learn to Play Approach in their service to ask questions.

The Pretend Play Checklist for Teachers (PPC-T) Manual and Pack of Assessment Scoring Forms as well as the recently released book, Learning Through Play in the Primary School: The Why and the How for Teachers and School Leaders, by Louise Paatsch, Siobhan Casey Amity Green, Karen Stagnitti, are all included.

These resources will be posted to registered participants prior to the workshop. These will be used during the workshop.

Detailed cost

The Learn To Play Approach for Early Educators Workshop: $1,070 per person (including GST).

Price includes:

• two-day online workshop
• three 1.5 hours Q&A follow-up sessions
• the Pretend Play Checklist for Teachers (PPC-T) Manual
• pack of Assessment Scoring Forms; and
• the book 'Learning Through play in the Primary School'.

Discounts available

Organisations sending 4 or more staff members to The Learn To Play Approach for Early Educators workshop will receive a discount off the total price.

• 4-6 registrations : 10% off
• 7-9 registrations : 20% off
• 10+ registrations : 30% off

The Learn To Play Approach for Early Educators Workshop can also be delivered directly to organisations onsite face-to-face or online.

Online/onsite face-to-face delivery of The Learn to Play Program for Kindergarten Teachers Workshop:

• $3,700 (inc. GST) per full day of training | Monday – Friday (total cost $7,400)
• $4,100 (inc. GST) per full day of training | Saturday – Sunday (total cost $8,200)

Optional ONLINE Q&A follow up sessions (3 sessions are recommended):

• $750 (inc. GST) per session.

Resources costs

Each participant should have a copy of the Pretend Play Checklist for Teachers (PPC-T) Manual and access to a PPC-T Assessment Scoring Form.

We also recommend purchasing a copy of the book Learning Through Play in the Primary School: The Why and the How for Teachers and School Leaders.

• PPC-T Manual $60 each (inc. GST)
• Pack of PPC-T Assessment Scoring Forms (Pack of 25) $50 (inc. GST)
• Learning Through Play in the Primary School: The Why and the How for Teachers and School Leaders $60 (inc. GST)

Onsite face-to-face workshops have additional travel costs including

• fuel and car expenses (at $1.20/km, including GST)
• accommodation (approx. $250/night, including GST) and
• meal allowance ($85/day, including GST).

Parking costs may also apply. There is no minimum number of participants for onsite face-to-face workshops.

The maximum number of participants for onsite face-to-face training is 45. Contact the provider directly for details.

Cancellation Policy

Payment is required prior to the commencement of the training.

Implementation considerations

• Target population: educators.
• Program/practice descriptions and details: the training is a combination of knowledge translation, practical case studies, practical group activities and discussion. It is based on adult learning principles, and updated each year to include new research and practical applications.
• Program adaptability: onsite or online training requested by an organisation is tailored to suit educators' needs.
• Staffing: once training is complete, Learn to Play can be delivered by early childhood educators and other professionals working with children. Services should consider the cost of backfill when determining the cost of accessing this program.
• Tools and systems: for onsite workshops educators are required to provide a venue and access to a data projector and speakers is required.

VEYLDF alignment

Item uses these practice principles

• High expectations for every child

Item responds to these sub-outcomes

• Children interact verbally and non-verbally with others for a range of purposes
• Children express ideas and make meaning using a range of media
• Children begin to understand how symbols and pattern systems work