Play and Learning – in early years and primary stages

In these workshops we explore the importance of both learning through play and learning to play. We emphasise the importance of exploration and imaginative play in aiding the development of empathy and resilience and the understanding of roles, rules and social functioning as well as learning.

Our workshops draw on the experience of schools in countries like Finland where children do not start formal education until they are seven. We also highlight the work of Lev Vygotsky and his thinking on play and education and creative activity in learning and emotional development. We emphasise the importance of helping children find their own way of doing things and using their imaginations in problem solving and finding meaning in their “internal and external” lives.

A great deal of recent research has shown that make-believe play can significantly improve self-regulation especially in highly impulsive children. And as Vygotsky suggested imaginative play can help in the development of abstract thought, language and communicative skills and empathetic attunement to the feelings of others.

Our Range of Workshops Include:

Play in the early years – how play is vital to emotional and cognitive development and the progression   from mimicry to exploration to learning to play.

Play in the development of emotional intelligence, social competence and empathetic understanding.

The therapeutic use of play, drama, music and story telling.

For more information about individual or bespoke workshops please use our contact page.