Exploring Play: a free online course
How important is play to a child? Does play help us to learn? Can it prepare young people to be successful in the adult world? Are all forms of play good for us?
Exploring Play is a new online course from The School of Education and Future Learn, which delves into the definitions of play, its development across lifespan, cultures and contexts, and issues around play including trauma, disability, emotion and intergenerational play.
This course will be of interest if you wish to work or study in the fields of psychology, playwork, childhood studies, play therapy, hospital play, teaching, childcare, or if you just want to better understand your relationship with the children in your life and your own play.
‘I liked that I could dip in and out of the course during the [nine] weeks. The content was interesting and the use of videos, articles, quizzes and discussions kept me engaged. It helped me to think about the need for play in everyday life, both for children and adults, and wider aspects of play such as online platforms and virtual worlds. I would recommend the course to anyone who works with children or young people or who want to in the future.’
Charlotte Bishop, teacher
Exploring Play is a free course lasting nine weeks. Join The School of Education from the comfort of your own home, learn something new or develop your understanding in a subject you’re passionate about.
Professor Jackie Marsh, Professor of Education at The School of Education said: “Play is essential for children’s — and adults’ — development and learning, and this course offers unique insights into the phenomenon. It traces continuity and change in children’s play over time, and looks at play across the lifecourse. In a time of global challenge, this course also offers timely insights into the value of play for health and well-being.”
Professor Elizabeth Wood (Head of The School of Education) said: “This course provides you with opportunities to think about the complexity of play in its many forms and manifestations across the lifecourse. You will learn about play as complex social and cultural activity, that requires deep attention and emotional engagement and connects humans with the animal, natural and material worlds in unique and imaginative ways.”
Exploring Play is accredited by the CPD Certification Service as conforming to continuing professional development principles.
To join the course, or to find out more visit futurelearn.com/courses/play.
