Murdoch University to host SchemaPlay training short course

Murdoch University’s School of Education will host a short course (SchemaPlay Training) in October 2024 as part of its commitment to prioritising play and helping educators to embrace and empower the natural curiosity and playfulness of the children they teach.

 

SchemaPlay Training aims to empower participants to create highly engaging and individualised learning experiences that will make lasting impacts and is open to parents, community members, teachers and early childhood educators who work with children from the ages of 0-8 years, and will help them to ‘tune into’ young children’s schematic play and unique lines of enquiry.  

Schematic play and what are commonly referred to as ‘play schemas’ have been shown to profoundly impact young children’s learning.  

 

Play schemas are patterns of behaviour that young children apply while they play, and they reflect each child’s innate cognitive and emotional processes.

 

Using a holistic approach, the SchemaPlay Training will not only delve into the cognitive benefits of play, but it will also explore evaluation and documentation methods to accurately track a child’s schematic play progress, thereby guiding the design of inclusive learning environments and program adjustments.  

 

“Understanding schema play encourages deep observation as we discover not only what children are learning but how they are learning,” Early Childhood Education Lecturer Kylie Ridder said. 

 

“This allows those working with children to provide rich learning opportunities.”  

 

For those in the course who are early childhood education and care (ECEC) professionals, building on the robust foundation of observation and fostering curiosity will allow them to develop effective strategies to extend children’s learning from their schematic play anchors. 

 

This will enrich educators’ communication and collaboration skills with other educators, children, parents and colleagues. 

 

As participants conclude the course, they will be encouraged to reflect on their own development journeys – this reflection highlights the significance of continuous learning and collaboration to stay up to date with the latest research and best practices.  

 

All the resources shared throughout the course will help work towards the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal of achieving Quality Education and reaffirm Murdoch University’s commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.  

 

Fostering play, Associate Dean: Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Dr Chad Morrison said, is an essential part of childhood in an “ever-changing and complex” world. 

 

“Play is fundamentally linked to brain development as it provides the framework for future learning and development throughout life,” Dr Morrison said.  

 

SchemaPlay Training at Murdoch University will run on October 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29. All sessions will run from 1.30pm-4.30pm. 

 

Registrations can be made here.