Please note - All staff must wear GCC ID badge on the day

Together we will discuss the role of play in supporting Glasgow’s young learners and what we can practically do to nurture and embed playfulness across our establishments.

Agenda

The agenda for the day is attached to the email you received and we will be looking at play and play pedagogy in all of its aspects, as well as covering some practical supports such as sharing with you Education Scotland’s recently launched Play Pedagogy Toolkit.

Workshops

Part of the afternoon session will include the opportunity to attend a workshop breakout session. You will only be able to attend one of the sessions due to time constraints and places will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

A. Developing Successful Approaches to Outdoor Learning – Jackie Fulton, Rowena Nursery

The outdoor environment at Rowena Nursery offers children aged two to five in the mainstream nursery playrooms and those in the GME nursery playroom, exciting opportunities every day to be creative, curious and confident learners. Rowena’s outdoor learning journey reflects both the impact of the sustained professional learning programme engaged in since 2019 and the key messages contained within Education Scotland’s recent thematic report, ‘Successful approaches to learning outdoors’.

B. Play & Our Youngest Children (Under 3’s) – Sharon Constable, Area ELC Manager

How a rich sensory environment supports young children’s learning and development through play. The importance of establishing positive, loving and nurturing relationships which encourage very young children to explore, discover and experiment through play.

C. Unlocking the Potential of Block Play Across the Early Level Curriculum – Catriona Gill, Education Scotland

Block play enables children to be autonomous and construct their own learning. It allows them to explore concepts and ideas in creative ways. It supports problem solving and socio dramatic play. Building on the resources in the Being me through block play - Wakelet, this session will explore the potential of block play to support learning and progression across the Early Level of Curriculum for Excellence and the role of the adult in unlocking it.

D. Curriculum Innovation: the unhurried child, time and space for play – Lynn Taylor, Education Scotland

Exploring the benefits of a different approach to early childhood practice which focuses on the time, pace and rhythm of practice which celebrates play.

E. Play and Wellbeing – Maggie Banks, Senior Educational Psychologist (Early Years)

Taking a look at how play promotes positive mental health and wellbeing in the early years. This workshop will define what we mean by play and by positive mental health in the early years, and show how young children can develop wellbeing through their play experiences.

F. Digital Approaches to Enhancing Play – XMA / Kelly Sloan, Digital Strategy Group

Considering the ways in which digital technology can enhance the play and learning of young children.

Pre-Conference Activity

In preparation for the day, you will find a guidance note on a pre-conference activity attached to the email you received along with some background reading. We would very much like you to engage with this activity along with children from your establishment as the voices of your children will inform discussions throughout the day.

Play Sufficiency Assessment Tool

The final document you will find attached to the email you received is the Council’s Play Sufficiency Assessment tool. Each local authority area is required to complete a Play Sufficiency Assessment and as our children are the most deeply involved in playing and play spaces, we are keen to gather their thoughts and comments. You will hear more about the tool and how you might use it with children in your establishment on the day.

We look forward to welcoming you to our day all about play!