Playful Learning in Kindergarten 

A two-day professional development workshop at
Antioch University New England
July 29-30, 2019

This course will provide teachers with a framework for facilitating play-based learning in the kindergarten classroom. We will begin with a brief introduction, pairing kindergarten history and traditions with recent research on learning and play. Participants will learn strategies for supporting purposeful-play by establishing clear expectations, providing play prompts, observing children, and designing curriculum that responds to student interests. Classroom design, provisioning of materials, and pacing of the day will also be considered as important components of play-based programs. When teachers leave this course, they will have practiced identifying the learning that occurs during play, and will have seen many samples of ways that they might share these learning journeys with colleagues and families. They will also have a toolbox for using curriculum standards and published programs to inform and guid play based learning experiences. There will be time for all participants to plan for their own classrooms or for theoretical classrooms, and receive feedback from the group about next steps.

Workshop Topics:

An introduction to play-based learning

• Kindergarten history and traditions
• Recent research on learning and play

Cultivating Learning and Play

• Making space for play-based learning through classroom design, schedule, provisioning with materials, stations, and choice
• Creating a culture of productive play through play prompts, establishing expectations, listening to children, and supportive facilitation

• Identifying the learning that occurs during play
• Using observation to inform curriculum development
• Sharing learning journeys with colleagues and families

• Using curriculum standards and published programs to inform and guide play-based learning experiences in areas such as math, literacy, and science.

More Event Details

Young children are  natural learners, when given time to notice, question, experiment, and explore. As an educator, I cultivate a culture of inquiry in the cla  ssroom and outside by developing curriculum that responds to and extends upon the questions that arise in play. I completed my teacher training at the Shady Hill School in Cambridge and earned my MEd and Nature-Based Early-Childhood Education Certificate from Antioch University New England. Through AUNE, I have been an annual presenter at In-Bloom Conferences, a guest speaker for the Working with Parents and Community Course, and facilitator of the PLC to Support Initiating Play and Learning Outdoors. I have also worked within my own schools in leadership capacities, helping to facilitate professional development related to multicultural and nature-based education.

Fees

 2-day professional develeopment workshop is $300.
 2-day workshop fee plus 1-credit of graduate education is $650.

Additional work and verification of learning maybe required for academic credit.

Cancellation and Refunds

Non-matriculated students – requests for cancellations and requests to withdraw from the course that are received in writing 2-days or more before the course starts will be eligible for a full refund. Requests made less than 2-days before the course starts are not eligible for any refund.  Requests should be made to in writing to Shelley Viles, Director of Centers, Institutes, and Projects, Antioch University New England, 40 Avon St. Keene, NH 03431 or sviles@antioch.edu.

Current matriculated students will follow the usual withdraw and refund policies for AUNE. Please withdraw via an email to the Antioch University Registrar’s Office and also copy sviles@antioch.edu.