Playwork defines play as “what children and young people do when they follow their own ideas and interests in their own way and for their own reasons”. 

Marc Armitage is coming to Tasmania where he will be running some workshops …

 

Marc’s first workshop is being held in Sandy Bay at The Hutchins School. Here you can take part in the following workshop.

Why is the Playground Square?: what causes problems on our playground and how do we solve them.

Who is this aimed at:

People working in the school system at primary school level, including class teachers, specialist and support staff, and Principals.

What’s it about:

Most school systems around the world have a place (the playground, school yard) and a time (playtime, break, recess) set aside during the school day in which children exercise free-choice over what they do and how they do it. For the most part what they do there and then is play.

However, most school systems around the world also report negative issues in relation to the recess periods citing the effect on discipline, bullying and interference in class-time for example. The reasons for this are generally laid on the children using that space and an apparent lack of the kind of play adults remember from their time at primary school and as a result many schools place significant restrictions on what can be done during recess, reduced the time allocated, and in some cases remove it all together.

This seminar explores this issues identifying what is actually causing the problem on most school playgrounds and presenting very simple, cheap but effective methods for dealing with them.

Specifically the day covers:

• Identifying the role of recess time in the context of the whole school day
• Identifies the three main causes of problems on the school playground
• Makes international comparisons
• Suggests simple, cheap, effective solutions to a number of these issues

How does it do it?

It works best as a series of small ground design exercises that encourages participants to explore their own school in the light of the problems identified above.

This full day workshop will run from

10.00am – 3.30pm and is open to anyone to attend.

You will find all details in this The Hutchins School flyer

 [It's a slow upload so please be patient!]

Numbers will be capped so please book a.s.a.p.

 

Marc’s 2nd workshop will be held at The Glen Dhu Primary School in South Launceston. This workshop will cover …

The ‘Do Approach’ to Playing: play, learning and the reality of children’s play

Who is this aimed at:

People working in ECE with both school and non school sectors including, Parents, Preschool and childcare educators, school teachers and others.

What’s it about:

The day introduces a way of working called ‘The Do Approach’. This is based on a research and observation led exploration of what and how children play naturally and without adult involvement.  This identifies similarities and patterns in children from around the world and suggests eight things that all children should be able to do.

The day then explores how this knowledge can be used to influence the provision we make available.

Specifically, the day covers:

• Defining ‘play-led’ as different to ‘child-led’.
• Unpacking the phrase ‘Learning through Play’
• The Role of the Adult in the play-led setting
• Eight things all children should be able to do
• Things that might get in the way and how to defeat them

How does it do it?

The day is organised as part lecture with many photos and video evidence but the bulk of the day is spent in a series of small group design exercises that explore the ‘eight things’, asking participants to consider in what ways their children can do these things now and what they could do to enhance that further; as well as provide for any of the eight their

This full day workshop will run from

10.00am – 3.30pm and is open to anyone to attend.

You will find all details in this Glen Dhu Primary School flyer. 

 [It's a slow upload so please be patient!]

Numbers will be capped so please book a.s.a.p.

Not only is Marc Armitage an exceptionally well respected expert on play, he is extremely funny (but don’t tell him we said that), highly motivational and very personable.

For more details or to book please email … donna@playbasedlearning.com.au

Payment will be accepted  via paypal or direct bank transfer.