Designing Play-Based Learning

Explore the value of play with Federation University

Learning through play is crucial to a child’s early development. But it can be hard to know how to create the conditions for learning experiences that are both enriching and educational.

On this two-week course from Federation University, you’ll learn how to plan and design play-based learning experiences for children in primary education.

Explore different types of play and the importance of play in primary education

You’ll start the course with an overview of play. You’ll explore concepts of learning through play and begin to understand how play can enrich the learning experiences of young children.

You’ll also look at the different types of educational experiences you can facilitate through play.

Examine play spaces and design your own learning experiences

Once you’ve explored the value of play and play-based learning, you’ll begin to design your own learning experiences.

Considering both indoor and outdoor play environments, you’ll take a skills-based approach to devising suitable learning activities. You’ll then have the opportunity to put those learning activities into practice.

By the end of the course, you’ll have an in-depth understanding of play-based learning and the skills you need to facilitate learning experiences in a number of different learning environments.

This course is designed for anyone who interacts with young children in their personal or professional lives.

It will be particularly useful for teachers, parents, carers, school administrators, museum educators and any educator or facilitator working in informal learning environments.

This course is designed for anyone who interacts with young children in their personal or professional lives.

It will be particularly useful for teachers, parents, carers, school administrators, museum educators and any educator or facilitator working in informal learning environments.

• Design play spaces to facilitate safe and active learning for children.
• Develop play-based learning activities to use in the designed play spaces.
• Practice play-based learning activities.