Creating a place for play

Date: Saturday 15th June 2024    Time: 9.30am - 3.30pm

In play children can express their natural inclination to be curious, explore and learn (EYLFv2.0, P.8). However, in the quest to demonstrate a cycle of observing and planning and children’s progress towards learning outcomes we sometimes forget children’s right to play. During this day of professional learning, we will explore:

• How to create environments that value play.
• The importance of aesthetics, resources, and materials.
• How to involve children in decision-making and caring for the play environment.
• Being a play partner with children.

This event is suitable for all early childhood practitioners.

Australian Professional Standards for Teachers

Standard 2: Know the content and how to teach

National Quality Standard – QA 1: Educational program and practice

QA 3: Physical environments

Presenters

Keran Elgie

Keran brings skills and knowledge from a career spanning 30 years in Early Childhood Education. Keran has worked in a range of settings as a teacher, director, Education Support Manager and Professional Learning Manager. Keran enjoys engaging with educators to support and extend their learning while offering opportunities for critical thinking and implications for practice.

Fiona Harris

Fiona is an experienced early childhood teacher and has taught in several preschool settings over the past 30 years. Her interest is in sustainability and place-based nature pedagogy, helping children connect in the community. She is also interested in children’s art making and literature and views pedagogy as an ethical discipline/

Fran Bastion

Fran’s engagement in the early childhood education sector spans over 30 years. Fran’s work is currently anchored in the exploration of the role of teacher as researcher, inquiry-based teaching and learning, pedagogical documentation, and the language of the learning environment.

Laure Hislop

Laure has over 35 years’ experience in early childhood education. In 2016, she was awarded the NSW Premier’s Early Childhood Education Scholarship and completed a study tour around the USA, exploring technology use in early childhood. Laure is passionate about technology as a curriculum tool and promoting innovative programs.