| Type | Price |
|---|---|
For Members Standard Price Subsidy/Grant Applied Reduced Member Price |
$270.00 -$270.00 $0.00 |
Description
Join us for a dynamic professional learning series designed for early childhood educators passionate about the power of play. The Playful Pedagogies Series explores how thoughtful environments, nature pedagogy, and meaningful transitions can elevate children’s experiences and amplify their voices in early learning settings.
In this first session we will be joined by Cath Fitzhardinge an Occupational Therapist and Post-graduate Researcher. Cath’s research examines the outdoor play environment as a central element in offering children with diverse needs the opportunity to engage in freely chosen play that is also deeply beneficial to their development, wellbeing, and learning. Cath will present aspects of her multidisciplinary exploration of outdoor play spaces, and share practical applications, including the use of the Tool for Observing Play Outdoors (Loebach & Cox, 2020), and additional ways of consulting the experts (the children!!) to support the creation and provision of thoughtfully designed and utilised play spaces.
Outcomes
- Apply playful pedagogy principles to create enriching, play-based learning experiences that foster curiosity and connection to the natural world.
- Implement strategies to authentically involve children’s voices in planning, decision-making, and daily routines.
- Design and evaluate play environments that support exploration, creativity, and wellbeing across indoor and outdoor settings.
- Facilitate smooth and respectful transitions that honour children’s rhythms, relationships, and sense of agency.
- Reflect on current practices and identify opportunities to enhance play-based learning through intentional environments and interactions.
- Collaborate with peers to share insights, challenges, and innovations in early childhood pedagogy.
Presenters
Melissa Kennedy (AISWA Staff)
Consultant | Early Childhood
Melissa Kennedy’s primary role is supporting Early Childhood programs at Aboriginal Independent Community Schools. Melissa is passionate and dedicated to the education profession with almost 20 years’ experience in both Independent Schools and Indigenous education. She has gained extensive experience filling many diverse roles including Early Childhood Classroom Teacher, Early Childhood Coordinator, Deputy of Teaching and Learning and Principal. Melissa brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in addition to an inherent understanding of community school education and Inquiry pedagogy.
Cath Fitzhardinge
Cath, an Occupational Therapist with over 20 years’ experience, collaborates with Landscape Architects, Architects, Schools, Early Learning Centres, and Local Councils in the creation and activation of outdoor play spaces. Cath advocates for children (and adults) to have access to nature, and to embed nature into their everyday lives. Cath is a member of Learning Environments Australasia (WA) postgraduate research community, and is set to complete a Masters of Philosophy at the University of Notre Dame Australia in late 2025. Cath’s research project “The changing nature of outdoor play spaces in West Australian primary schools: An exploratory case study.” explores the play opportunities, design and utilisation of an intentionally designed nature play space to provide opportunities for child development, wellbeing and learning.
Terms & Conditions
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Segments
Playful Pedagogies: How Outdoor Play-spaces Support Child-development, Wellbeing and Learning with Cath Fitzhardinge
Date / Time
19 Mar 2026 Starts: 15:30 Finishes: 17:30Delivery Format : In Person
Kerry Street Community School
Address20 Forrest Road
Hamilton Hill WA 6163
Australia