Perspectives on Play
Author: Jan Blaxall, MASc.
1 ECE Hour

Play is a very large part of our children’s lives. While there are many people talking about play and its value for children, how do we know we share the same understanding of the components of play? What is the relationship between play and learning? How can adults participate in and support play as a meaningful activity for children? This module is the first in a series of modules about play and attempts to define play and opens the discussion about play and its crucial nature for learning, socializing and well-being.

Play is Risky Business: A Dilemma for Parents and Educators
Contributed by the Canadian Child Care Federation
Author: Tina Bonnett, M.A., RECE, IMH Cert.
1 ECE Hour

Evidence is building that current parenting and educational practices may be doing more harm than good, in terms of children’s well-being. This module will be covered in two parts. This module discusses research that creates a picture of the current situation for the majority of Canadian children in terms of physical activity. Excerpts from recent annual report cards completed by Active Healthy Kids Canada form the framework for the discussion.

Play in a Multi-Cultural Context
Author: Maya Goldstein, MA
1 ECE Hour

While children’s play occurs universally, there are patterns and characteristics that vary among and within cultures. Professionals who work with multi-cultural families need to be aware of and able to engage in discussions that serve to increase mutual understanding. The objective of this learning module is to present different perceptions regarding play and development that are relevant to professionals who work in multicultural settings and create a dialogue about play as a universal and culturally-based activity. 

Rough and Tumble Play: How Important Is It?
Author: Jan Balxall, MASc.
1 ECE Hour

As early years education has moved in a more academic direction, play has taken second place in the focus of educators. This module looks at how the neglect or discouraging of rough-and-tumble play may be jeopardizing children’s development in a number of areas.

Kids NEED Rough and Tumble Play - Webinar
Author: Jan Blaxall, MASc.
1 ECE Hour

Are you troubled by the rough and sometimes aggressive way children play and interact? Do you worry about injuries and bullying when children are fighting? Is it challenging to try and restrict physical play?  You may be surprised to learn that experts believe that educator attempts to limit big body and rough and tumble play may be jeopardizing children’s development and well-being in many ways. Children don’t just want to play rough and tumble, they NEED to play fight to learn very important skills to read social cues and self-regulate in order to become socially competent. How can educators support this important play while also assuring fairness and safety? Learn the difference between play and real fighting and the skills children need to learn to participate successfully in big body play. Add Description here

Active Play in School-Aged Children
Author: Jan Blaxall, MASc.
1 ECE Hour

The Active Healthy Kids Canada (AHKC) report card has been reporting annually on the state of physical activity of Canadian children. The story is not a good news story. It should be of concern to all because physical activity is crucial for individual and societal health.