Early Years Professional Development Centre

Perspectives on Play

Author: Dominion Learning Institute

1 ECE Hour

Learning Continuum: Foundation

Play is a very large part of our children’s lives. While there are many people talking about play and its value for children, how do we know we share the same understanding of the components of play? What is the relationship between play and learning? How can adults participate in and support play as a meaningful activity for children? This module is the first in a series of modules about play and attempts to define play and opens the discussion about play and its crucial nature for learning, socializing and well-being.

Play is Risky Business: A Dilemma for Parents and Educators

Author: Tina Bonnett, M.A., RECE, IMH Cert.

1 ECE Hour

Learning Continuum: Foundation

Evidence is building that current parenting and educational practices may be doing more harm than good, in terms of children’s well-being. This module will be covered in two parts. This module discusses research that creates a picture of the current situation for the majority of Canadian children in terms of physical activity. Excerpts from recent annual report cards completed by Active Healthy Kids Canada form the framework for the discussion.

Play in a Multi-Cultural Context

Author: Maya Goldstein, MA

1 ECE Hour

Learning Continuum: Enhanced

While children’s play occurs universally, there are patterns and characteristics that vary among and within cultures. Professionals who work with multi-cultural families need to be aware of and able to engage in discussions that serve to increase mutual understanding.The objective of this learning module is to present different perceptions regarding play and development that are relevant to professionals who work in multicultural settings and create a dialogue about play as a universal and culturally-based activity. 

Kids NEED Rough and Tumble Play - Webinar

Author : Dominion Learning Institute of Canada

1 ECE Hour.

Learning Continuum: Foundation

Are you troubled by the rough and sometimes aggressive way children play and interact? Do you worry about injuries and bullying when children are fighting? Is it challenging to try and restrict physical play?  You may be surprised to learn that experts believe that educator attempts to limit big body and rough and tumble play may be jeopardizing children’s development and well-being in many ways. Children don’t just want to play rough and tumble, they NEED to play fight to learn very important skills to read social cues and self-regulate in order to become socially competent. How can educators support this important play while also assuring fairness and safety? Learn the difference between play and real fighting and the skills children need to learn to participate successfully in big body play.Add Description here

Active Play in School-Aged Children

Author: Dominion Learning Institute

1 ECE Hour

Learning Continuum: Foundation

The Active Healthy Kids Canada (AHKC) report card has been reporting annually on the state of physical activity of Canadian children. The story is not a good news story. It should be of concern to all because physical activity is crucial for individual and societal health.

Rough and Tumble Play: How Important Is It?

Author: Jan Blaxall, MASc, RECE, AECEO.C

1 ECE Hour

Learning Curriculuum: Enhanced

As early years education has moved in a more academic direction, play has taken second place in the focus of educators. This module looks at how the neglect or discouraging of rough-and-tumble play may be jeopardizing children’s development in a number of areas.

Why Children Need to Play

Author: Neufeld Institute

2 ECE Hours

Learning Curriculuum: Foundation

Play - at least the kind that builds brains and forwards development - is becoming an endangered activity among those who need to engage in it most. This course is a must for all parents, day-care providers, and early childhood educators. Participants will learn why children need to play and what they need for true play to result. This session begins by getting to the essence of what play is and by differentiating it from other activities - even those that often are called ‘play’. Included in this session is an overview of the role of play in development, including its effect on brain growth and functioning. The implications for how we interact, teach, and discipline young children are explored. Suggestions are provided for when to introduce the idea of consequences and outcomes as well as the construct of ‘work’.