an enlivening workshop connecting to the profound importance of play from neuroscience to emotional well-being and even life expectancy.

this workshop looks at the fundamental neuroscience of play and how we can use this knowledge to help children emotionally reset, build resilience and promote positive mental health. the course looks at why children play and exactly what is happening in their brains when they do. it shows how positive play can have the most profound effect on a child’s emotional wellbeing and can help children to overcome emotional obstacles and develop confidence and self-esteem. the course also demonstrates how we can use play to help develop secure attachments with the children in our care especially if those children are struggling. the course is intensely thought provoking, combining up to date neuroscience and biochemistry with therapeutic play techniques to create a unique toolkit for helping not just vulnerable children but all children in our care.

the course addresses the following:

• combatting play deprivation and lifelong health and well-being

• healthy brain growth and development

• positive mental health and lowering anxiety

• EYFS areas of learning and development – personal, social and emotional development, physical development, communication and language, understanding the world, expressive arts and design.

• characteristics of effective learning – playing and exploring, active learning, creating and thinking critically.

• play types – fantasy play, socio-dramatic play, imaginative play, role play, creative play, dramatic play, communication play, locomotor play, deep play, rough and tumble play.

suit and adaptable for the following ages/agencies:

• 0-5 yrs

• reception

• KS1

• KS2

• out of school

• secondary/youth

• parents/adopters/foster carers