Game On! Unlocking Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Growth Through Play
DESCRIPTION
Play is often underestimated as a mere recreational activity, but it is a vital educational tool that nurtures emotional, social, and cognitive development in children. Through play, children are able to explore their identities, express themselves, and build meaningful connections with others. Play encourages communication, cooperation, and respect for shared rules, while also fostering self-regulation, concentration, and emotional growth.
This course will guide educators in using play as a dynamic teaching method to enhance personal development in students. By incorporating various game types—uninhibited, expressive, and relaxing—teachers will create a more cohesive, engaging, and emotionally supportive classroom environment. The course focuses on building trust, creativity, and communication through play, promoting social and emotional intelligence, and helping students better understand themselves and their peers.
By playing the games themselves, participants will engage in hands-on learning, exploring various techniques that can foster social development and create an inclusive learning environment. The course will equip educators with the tools to use play effectively to foster personal and social growth in their classrooms.
COMPETENCES
Gain a deeper understanding of the role of play in fostering emotional and social development.
Develop strategies to nurture creativity, self-expression, and emotional growth in students through play.
Enhance your ability to effectively manage group dynamics in various settings.
Learn techniques to promote cooperation and build trust among students by using play as a collaborative tool.
Design and facilitate engaging games that support cognitive, emotional, and social development.
Align gameplay with specific learning goals and the unique needs of your students.
Utilise play as a powerful method to mediate conflicts and guide resolution.
Encourage positive interactions and teach emotional regulation through thoughtfully designed games.
METHODOLOGY
Interactive and Practical Activities: Participants will actively engage in playing various games to experience their impact firsthand.
Observation and Analysis: Teachers will observe how games influence group dynamics and individual student behaviour.
Discussions and Reflections: The course includes discussions on integrating these games into classrooms to promote trust, communication, and emotional regulation.
Game Design: Participants will design their own games tailored to their students’ needs and educational goals.
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9:00–9:30 Introduction to the Course Objectives and Expectations
9:30–10:00 Understanding the Role of Play in Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Development
10:00–10:15 Coffee Break
10:15–11:00 The Educational Power of Play: Theories and Frameworks
11:00–12:00 Exploring Different Types of Play: Uninhibited, Expressive, and Relaxing
12:00–13:00 Group Dynamics and the Importance of Trust-Building Through Play
13:00–14:00 Strategies for Incorporating Play into Educational Settings
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9:00–9:30 The Psychology of Warm-up Games: Breaking Barriers
9:30–10:00 Engaging Students: Key Features of Effective Warm-up Games
10:00–10:15 Coffee Break
10:15–11:00 Enhancing Emotional Regulation Through Group Play
11:00–12:00 Building Cooperation and Trust Among Students
12:00–13:00 Aligning Warm-up Games with Learning Objectives
13:00–14:00 Reflective Discussions: Practical Applications
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9:00–9:30 Imitation as a Tool for Social and Emotional Learning
9:30–10:00 Fostering Empathy Through Imitation Activities
10:00–10:15 Coffee Break
10:15–11:00 Enhancing Self-Awareness Through Mimicry
11:00–12:00 Strengthening Group Bonds Through Imitation Games
12:00–13:00 Adapting Imitation Games for Different Age Groups
13:00–14:00 Reflective Discussions: Challenges and Solutions
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9:00–9:30 The Role of Storytelling in Cognitive and Emotional Growth
9:30–10:00 Encouraging Creativity and Self-Expression Through Stories
10:00–10:15 Coffee Break
10:15–11:00 Using Storytelling Games to Foster Collaboration and Communication
11:00–12:00 Designing Narrative-Driven Activities for Classroom Settings
12:00–13:00 Practical Tips for Facilitating Storytelling Games
13:00–14:00 Reflective Discussions: Using Stories for Conflict Resolution
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9:00–9:30 Frameworks for Designing Educational Games
9:30–10:00 Aligning Game Design with Learning Outcomes
10:00–10:15 Coffee Break
10:15–11:00 Collaborative Game Design: Team-Based Activity
11:00–12:00 Testing and Refining Game Ideas
12:00–13:00 Creating Inclusive and Accessible Games for Diverse Groups
13:00–14:00 Reflective Discussions: Lessons Learned from Game Design
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9:00–9:30 Summary of Key Takeaways from the Course
9:30–10:00 Creating an Action Plan for Implementing Play in the Classroom
10:00–10:15 Coffee Break
10:15–11:00 Sharing Experiences: Participant Presentations of Game Designs
11:00–12:00 Collaborative Discussions on Future Applications
12:00–13:00 Cultural Activities: Exploring Local Play Traditions
13:00–14:00 Closing Ceremony and Feedback Collection
RESULTS
Design and facilitate a range of games tailored to different learning goals and group dynamics.
Use games as tools for self-expression, creative development, and emotional regulation.
Foster collaboration, trust, and communication within their classrooms.
Encourage social and emotional intelligence in students, reducing conflicts and promoting cooperation.
Integrate play into their teaching to create a more supportive and inclusive learning environment.
Competences:
Personal Competence: Understanding the importance of play for emotional and social development; using play to enhance students’ self-expression and emotional growth.
Social Competence: Managing group dynamics, fostering cooperation, and building trust among students through games.
Pedagogical Competence: Designing and facilitating games that contribute to cognitive, emotional, and social development.
Conflict Resolution: Utilizing play to mediate and resolve conflicts, encouraging positive interactions and emotional regulation.
Course Format
One-week length: two weeks or other formats are available on request.
4-5 hours per day: from Monday to Friday, with excursions planned during the training.
Fully fundable: Meeting the Erasmus+ KA1 budget criteria.
Flexible: change courses, locations, or dates without fees.
Audience and requirements
Courses are structured around the collective sharing of participants’ experiences, therefore all courses are in English. For participants with a very low English level, we advised to come with a translator in the team.
We provide tailored courses for school roles like teachers, principals, and staff, as well as for different levels of IT skills. Our programs are designed to meet the unique needs of professionals such as adult educators, language teachers, youth workers, and social workers, ensuring they have a meaningful impact in education and social work.
€80/ day
Our services include:
✔ Infopack about the location
✔ Pre-arrival information.
✔ Tuition & training materials.
✔ Coffee break.
✔ Training Certificate.
✔Europass Certificate.
✔ Admin & organisational costs.
Additional Services:
✔ Accommodation options, including hotels and self-catering apartments
✔ Half-day and full-day trips
✔ Cultural experiences and local activities
✔ Airport transfer services
✔ Local transportation arrangements
Our Pricing:
100% funded by the Erasmus Plus Program
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