Courses for Practitioners
We currently offer a range of tailor-made courses from half to a full day long. In addition we can provide in-house or bespoke training sessions for an inset day, twilight session, in-house and day release training. If you would like to book early years researcher and author Sue Gascoyne for a training session or workshop then please contact us to discuss your requirements.
See below for course details. For further information and to book a training session please contact us
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Bringing the Curriculum Alive with Sensory-rich Play – 1 day course
This lively and practical course shows how practitioners can use low or no-cost sensory-rich resources to support the three prime areas and four specific areas of the Statutory Framework for the EYFS. Drawing itself upon the three characteristics of effective learning the course offers a good mix of contemporary research findings, fun activities, illuminating play observations, and opportunities for practitioner reflection to help bring learning to life. This highly sensory session will show inspiring techniques for delivering the curriculum in a fun and inclusive way to achieve a balance between adult-initiated and child-led learning and play.
Audience:
Early years practitioners and leaders in settings and schools, local authority advisers, children’s centre staff and childminders
Delegates will have the opportunity to:
- Understand the importance of the senses for development, learning and memory
- Explore the prime and specific areas and characteristics of effective learning of the Statutory Framework for the EYFS
- Experience and observe sensory-rich approaches and resources for bringing the curriculum to life
Cost: £135 plus VAT (Includes lunch, refreshments, training handouts and training certificate)
Spotlight on the Senses – 1 day course
Our senses are the gateway to all learning yet how often do we really consider sensory provision as part of our planning and practice? This practical and enlightening course focuses on each of the senses, including the lesser known but vitally important inner senses responsible for many key physical development milestones. Discover how and when each sense develops in children and the implications for effective practice. Be prepared to embark on a sensory adventure of smelly fun, visual delights and lots of touchy feely activities. Equipped with the tools for carrying out your own sensory audit consider what makes an enabling sensory environment, how to recognise the symptoms of sensory processing difficulties and strategies for supporting children. This lively course helps practitioners see the environment through the eyes of a child and so expect to have lots of sensory-rich fun in the process! Include opportunities to reflect upon existing sensory practice, preferences and environments.
Audience:
Early years practitioners and leaders in settings and schools, local authority advisers, children’s centre staff and childminders.
Delegates will have the opportunity to:
- Explore each of the senses and gain an understanding of their importance for development, learning and memory.
- Learn how to carry out your own ‘sensory audit’ in order to create an enabling environment.
Cost: £135 plus VAT (Includes lunch, refreshments, training handouts and training certificate)
The A to Z of Treasure Baskets - Babies & Toddlers
This session introduces the theory and practice behind what makes a treasure basket so special for two to five year olds. Practitioners will discover everything they need to know about Treasure Baskets, from its sensory roots and numerous benefits to how to start your own gorgeous collection. Drawing upon contemporary research and numerous play observations this session helps build practitioners confidence to observe and support play and in doing so to discover children’s preferences, developmental levels, interests and repeated patterns of behaviour. It will help practitioners see this resource through the eyes of a child, better understanding the importance of exploration and discovery and adults role in supporting play. The Sensory Play Continuum will be introduced as a tool for supporting, extending and understanding Treasure Basket play. Participants will be invited to bring with them some treasures to discuss.
Audience:
Early years practitioners and leaders in settings and schools, local authority advisers, children’s centre staff and childminders
Delegates will have the opportunity to:
- Explore the theory behind Treasure Baskets, through research findings and play observations
- Focus on key child development milestones
- Gain confidence in observing and supporting children’s play, in order to discover more about their preferences, developmental levels, interests and repeated patterns of behaviour
- Learn how to start your own gorgeous Treasure Basket collection
- Understand the ‘Sensory Play Continuum’ and how it can be used as a tool for supporting, extending and understanding Treasure Basket play
- Bring along their own ‘treasures’ to discuss and reflect upon
Cost: £135 plus VAT (Includes lunch, refreshments, training handouts and training certificate)
O is for Open-ended, Opportunities and Object Play – Half day course
Find out why simple objects offer so much play potential and appeal for children across the ages in this lively and thought-provoking course. Discover the importance of simple objects for supporting brain development and leave confident in your role in supporting children’s exploration and play and inspired to look at objects through the eyes of a child. This hands-on session helps practitioners understand the value and appeal of object play to children ensuring that they get the most from open-ended objects such as the sensory-rich objects found in a Treasure Basket to the natural and man-made treasures all around that children delight in. The course offers a good mix of contemporary research findings, fun activities, illuminating play observations, and opportunities for practitioner reflection to help bring learning to life.
Audience:
Early years practitioners and leaders in settings and schools, local authority advisers, children’s centre staff and childminders
Delegates will have the opportunity to:
- Discover the importance of simple objects for supporting brain development and why they are so appealing to children
- Consider contemporary research findings and link these to observations of children at play
- Gain practical knowledge of how to use object play in your setting through a range of fun activities
- Build confidence in supporting children’s exploration and play so they get the most from open-ended and sensory rich resources
Cost: £85 (Includes lunch, refreshments, training handouts and training certificate)
Course Tutor
Sue Gascoyne is a nationally renowned published author, Early Year’s researcher, educational consultant and trainer. In 2006 she launched multi-award winning children’s play resource company Play to Z and maintains an active role as creative director. In addition to numerous articles published in the national press she has authored three books: Sensory Play, published in September 2011 (Practical Pre-School), Chapter 1 of International Perspectives on Early Childhood (Sage) January 2012 and Treasure Baskets and Beyond – Realising the benefits of sensory rich play (Open University), due to be published in August 2012. These publications and her award-winning training draw heavily upon original and contemporary research. Sue has funded and instigated numerous research projects to further our understanding of the benefits of sensory-rich play with objects. She has also forged links with the world of neuroscience and Special Educational Needs in cutting-edge pilot research. For six months in 2011 Sue ran weekly sessions for children and parents at a UK Activity Centre with a focus on maximising children’s access to sensory-rich play and supporting adults in understanding the benefits.
In 2009, Sue Gascoyne was named Nursery World 'Trainer of the Year' for her contribution to the Early Year’s sector. Since then she has presented to numerous national and international events including The Education Show, 21st and 22nd Early Education Childhood Conference, BECERA, International Autism and Aspergers Conference, GESS (Dubai) and GCC conference in Saudi Arabia. As a Primary School Governor and mother of two young children, much of Sue’s work is inspired by observations of children at play.
Venue
All courses will take place either in The Bridge Centre, Islington or an outstanding nursery setting in Colchester. Ring Play to Z for dates and details and to register your place.
Course Duration
Full day courses typically run from 10-4pm, lasting for 6 hours. Half day courses are 3 hours long plus lunch.
Details & Bookings
To find out more or make a booking contact the Play to Z team:
01206 796722
info@playtoz.co.uk
www.playtoz.co.uk
Download printable version (right click, save link as)
For more information and to book a training session please contact us
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