SLECEVWSE - Our Youngest Learners: Play, Learn, and Grow Through Sensory Experiences

Sensory play has long been a standard of early childhood education, but it has never been more important than now. Why? Sensory play not only provides young children with opportunities to engage in scientific exploration and dramatic play, it also promotes socio-emotional well-being as children explore soothing materials or work through emotions as they tell stories using simple props. So, whether you are teaching online and looking for activities to share with parents, considering what might be possible in shoebox sensory bins, or even a parent yourself, we invite you to join our team of experienced presenters as you imagine new educational possibilities with easily found materials. Suggestions for great children’s books to supplement these activities will also be included.

Audience: Teachers and parents of two year olds to kindergarten

Course Outline

Six hours of asynchronous research-into-practice content includes:

• Links to three professional readings
• Access to four pre-recorded presentations of approximately one hour each
  • Beyond the Beach: Playing in the Sand with our Youngest Learners
  • Dirt…So Much More than DIRTY!
  • Water…Wondrous and Wet!
  • “This Little Light of Mine. I’m Gonna Let It Shine!” Sensory Play with Light
• A brief theory-into-practice reflection project to be completed by the student and uploaded prior to completion of the course

A certificate of completion for 6 clock hours of professional development credit will be e-mailed upon successful completion of the reflection assignment.