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Join us in this immersive 2-day workshop designed for therapists in early childhood services and pediatric wards. Learn to understand, assess, and nurture play abilities in children, gaining vital skills linked to language, narrative, social awareness, cognitive processing, and self-regulation. Backed by evidence from peer-reviewed research, this workshop integrates direct teaching, group activities, videos, and case studies. Practical activities throughout the program ensure hands-on learning.
Take the first step toward becoming a Certified Learn to Play Therapist/Practitioner – this workshop is your gateway to unlocking the full potential of therapeutic play.
2024
March - April
Tentative
WHO IS THE LEARN TO PLAY WORKSHOP FOR?
Tailored for Therapists and Teachers
Designed for Therapists
Immerse yourself in a transformative learning experience crafted for Speech-Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Special Educators, Early Childhood Interventionists, and Mental Health Professionals. Explore therapeutic play strategies to enhance your professional toolkit and elevate your practice.
Ideal for Teachers
Discover a unique space designed for Pre-school Teachers, Shadow Teachers, Learning Support Heads, and Principals. Unlock innovative teaching strategies and gain insights into incorporating therapeutic play in educational settings. Elevate your approach to nurturing the potential of every child in your care.
OUR PRESENTERS
Professor Karen Stagnitti
Emeritus Professor | Developer of Learn to Play Therapy
Presenter for 2019, 2022, 2024
Renowned for over 40 years, Emeritus Professor Karen Stagnitti is the visionary behind Learn to Play Therapy and four groundbreaking play assessments. A trailblazer in child development, Karen's journey began with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy in the 1970s, followed by a transformative doctoral study at LaTrobe University in 2002. With a wealth of experience in community-based early childhood services and a distinguished teaching and research career at Queensland University and Deakin University, Karen's impact is immeasurable. Her pioneering work, highlighted by the development of the Child-Initiated Pretend Play Assessment, has culminated in the evolution of Learn to Play Therapy. With an extensive portfolio of 116 published journal articles, 33 book chapters (with one awaiting publication), and 9 active books, Karen Stagnitti continues to shape the landscape of child therapy and play interventions.
Dr. Siobhan Casey
Pediatric Occupational Therapist & Play Therapist
Presenter for 2024
Meet Dr. Siobhan Casey, an expert paediatric occupational and play therapist with 18 years of dedicated experience. Holding a Master's qualification in play therapy, she earned her Ph.D. in 2018 under the guidance of Emeritus Prof. Karen Stagnitti. Dr. Casey's profound research delves into the intricacies of pretend play and self-regulation, focusing on enhancing resilience in neurodivergent children engaged in Learn To Play. A sought-after speaker at national and international conferences, she brings her wealth of knowledge to diverse audiences. Driven by a passion for positive social and emotional wellbeing, she has made impactful contributions in early intervention, private practice, and mainstream and specialist development schools. Co-author of 'Learning Through Play in the Primary School,' Dr. Casey continues her mission to explore the pivotal role of play in supporting holistic child development and fostering positive relationships.
Belinda Dean
Registered Nurse | Play Therapist | Lecturer in Child Play Therapy
Presenter for 2019, 2021
Belinda Dean is a qualified Registered Nurse, Play Therapist, Lecturer in Child Play Therapy and PhD Candidate at Deakin University. She has over 20 years of experience with a focus on Child and Adolescent Health & Development, Mental Health, and Community and Family Health. She also has focused research and presented nationally on Storying Beyond Social Difficulties with Neuro-Diverse Adolescents.
Belinda is the co-founder of Light Heart Publishing and Play-Based Learning Pte Ltd. Belinda is passionate about play-based models to promote early intervention of biopsychosocial health through play therapy. Belinda's main areas of research are play-based social skill programs to support neuro-diverse adolescents and integrating therapeutic play into nursing and allied health practice.
For Therapists:
Learn to Play Therapy - Workshop
Embark on a transformative 2-day workshop tailored for therapists working in early childhood services or pediatric wards. Designed for professionals handling children aged 12 months to 10 years, this comprehensive program navigates the intricacies of understanding play, utilizing assessment tools like the Pretend Play Enjoyment Developmental Checklist and Animated Movie Test.
Gain invaluable insights into fostering and enhancing
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Children's play abilities,
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Crucial for language,
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Narrative,
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Social awareness,
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Cognitive processing, and
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Self-regulation
Backed by a robust evidence base from peer-reviewed journals, books, and chapters, this workshop blends direct teaching, small group activities, videos, and case studies. Immerse yourself in practical activities throughout the two days and set the foundation for certification as a Learn to Play Therapist/Practitioner. Take the first step toward advancing your skills in assessing and supporting children's play abilities.
Objectives:
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Understand pretend play assessment nuances
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Administer, score, and interpret Pretend Play Enjoyment Developmental Checklist
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Gain insight into engaging children in play with purpose
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Plan play sessions with chosen activities and clear goals
Workshop Highlights:
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Research-backed content from peer-reviewed journals, books, and chapters
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Interactive sessions with direct teaching, small group activities, videos, and case studies
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Practical activities embedded throughout the 2-day workshop
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Step 1 towards becoming a Certified Learn to Play Therapist/Practitioner
WORKSHOP CONTENT OUTLINE:
DAY - 01
Morning - 2 hours
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What is play? What is pretend play? Why is pretend play unique?
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Melting pot of pretend play - Evidence linking to language, narrative, social competence, self-regulation, creativity, cognitive processing.
Mid-morning - 1 hour
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Development of pretend play
Afternoon
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Assessment of pretend play
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Pretend Play Enjoyment Developmental Checklist
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Animated Movie Test
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DAY - 02
Morning - 2 hours
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Principles and processes of Learn to Play Therapy
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Working with children to engage them in joyful play experiences
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Creating safety for the child
Mid-morning - 2 hour
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Techniques to engage children and build play ability
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Working with 7 to 10-year-olds
Ready to elevate your professional expertise in child development?
Express your interest now and take the first step toward transforming your practice. Fill out the form below, and our team will get in touch with you today. Seize this opportunity to enhance your skills and make a lasting impact on children's lives.
Avail 10% Early Bid Offer by Expressing your Interest before December 31, 2023!
Let the Journey Begin!
Afternoon
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10 play skills and explaining play to parents
Learn to Play Therapy - Workshop
For Teachers: Kindergarten/Schools Workshop
Unlock the power of play in education!
The Learn To Play Approach empowers teachers with a profound understanding of pretend play's crucial role in literacy, narrative skills, social competence, and self-regulation.
Join our 2-Day Workshop, immersed in the practical Pretend Play Checklist for Teachers. This assessment tool guides teachers in observing and reporting on children's play abilities, identifying curriculum activities, and enhancing parent communication. The workshop, featuring small group activities and insights from "Learning Through Play in the Primary School," equips educators to craft play-based learning for optimal child development.
Elevate your teaching with the Learn To Play Approach!
Objectives:
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Identify the importance of play within the curriculum
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Understand pretend play assessments
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Administer, score, and interpret Pretend Play Checklist for Teachers (PPCT)
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Gain insight into innovative pedagogical practices
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Plan classroom-based play scenarios supporting learning outcomes
Workshop Highlights:
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Practical workshop with case studies
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Receive 'Learning Through Play in the Primary School' book
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Small group work designing play activities and identifying foundational skills
WORKSHOP CONTENT OUTLINE:
DAY 01: Foundation
9:30 am – 11:30 am
Learn To Play Framework
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Connecting pretend play to literacy, narrative understanding, social competence, and self-regulation
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How Learn To Play supports learning outcomes
DAY 02: Principles and Planning
2:00 pm – 3:30 pm
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Understanding Assessment using the Pretend Play Checklist for Teachers
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Working through case studies via small group work
9:30 am – 11:30 am
What is Learn To Play
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Exploring responding to the child, not directing
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8 key principles and exploring emotional engagement
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Techniques of tracking/empathic reflection
2:00 pm – 3:30 pm
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Approach planning and implementation
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Reviewing case studies, working on goal setting, planning approaches for kinder with curriculum links
11:50 am – 1:20 pm
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Pretend Play and The Brain
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Connecting brain development, emotional regulation, and pretend play
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Identifying the neurobiology of learning
3:45 pm - 5:00 pm
Assessment by video analysis, exploring key features and linking to the science of play
11:50 am – 1:20 pm
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Video analysis of Learn To Play and exploration of play skills
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Activities working in groups to create a narrative
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Understanding the six key play skills of the Learn To Play framework
3:45 pm - 5:00 pm
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Considering links between pretend play development, self-regulation, and social competence
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Group work to identify strategies
WHAT PAST ATTENDEES HAVE SAID
Veronica Limardo
"Karen's Learn to Play programme greatly complements the gap in my work on problem-solving and knowing how object properties can contribute nicely in play."
Siti Juliana
"It was an eye-opening experience to the details of the different levels of play. It will help me to introduce, advocate and integrate play for my clinical work."
Linda Chua
"Play skills is something that my centre looks out for and it is an important part of development for a child. Therefore, it is good that i can learn about play."
Emma-Kate Corby
"Having not undergone training in play, i found both the theoretical components and the practical elements to be very useful to understanding the play level of children."
LEARN TO PLAY CERTIFICATION
Embark on a transformative journey towards becoming a certified Learn to Play Therapist with our Orange Stream certification. The 2-day therapist workshop is a key component of Part 1 training in the certification process. Elevate your therapeutic expertise, contribute to the well-being of children, and progress in your professional journey.
How it Works:
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Participate in the 2-day Learn to Play Therapist Workshop.
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Acquire essential skills aligned with the Orange Stream certification.
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Engage with the Learn to Play Framework and contribute to play-based interventions.
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Register your interest by filling out the form and advance your certification process.
Stay tuned for updates on this exciting certification opportunity in 2024.
Expression of Interest
Express your interest in our exclusive Learn To Play Workshop, and one of our team members will reach out to you!
Register before December 31, 2023, to avail a special 10% Early Bid Discount!