Description

PLAY MATTERS - THE IMPORTANCE OF PLAY (Preschool to Year 2)

Presented by Dr Dee O’Connor

Dr Dee O’Connor is an Associate Professor of Education at the University of Notre Dame, Australia – specialising in Early Childhood Education. Dee holds over 25 years of experience in the field within a variety of positions across early childhood practice, policy and academia.

Professor O’Connor’s research relates to play, learning environments, creativity and child development through education. Dee is a published author and regularly speaks at national and international conferences.

Dee will discuss the importance of child-initiated and self-directed play experiences, and how educators can optimise young children’s learning through a play-based pedagogy.

In this session we 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

This session also includes an introductory presentation by our education consultant on Play-Based Learning through Walker Learning pedagogy.

Australian Professional Teaching Standards APTS –1.2, 3.4, 3.6, 3.7, 4.1,4.2, 5.4, 6.2

EVENT TIME: 9.30am to 3.30pm

Morning Tea and Lunch are provided

This event will fill quickly, please book early to avoid disappointment

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.