GET SMART TRAINING COURSES
Our training courses combine theory and practice, and are aimed at professionals working with children and families. They cover a variety of play topics that will help you develop the skills you need to successfully facilitate a wide range of play opportunities for children.
Smart Play Network provides projects, groups and organisations that utilise play, throughout Scotland with the support they need. Whether that be connecting with similar organisations, E-learning, having access to the latest resources or seeking help through our forums. Our Engage Hub is our online resource that is free and accessible to all.
OUR IN-PERSON TRAINING COURSES
GET FREE PLAY
Loose Parts play training in Scotland. This course offers training on free-play and the use of loose parts resources. It includes topics such as play types, risk management in play and links to the Curriculum for Excellence.
The training is suitable for schools and a range of other settings that wish to enrich outdoor play opportunities of children and deepen their understanding of the value of play.
FIRE PLAY TRAINING
Our fire skills training course is perfect to help provide insight into the benefits, how to light a fire, safety and fire play skills. This course will give you the confidence to embrace fire play skills within your own setting.
PLAYGROUND GAMES TRAINING
Playground games are a fun way for children to keep fit and healthy. Playing group games encourages teamwork and fosters friendships. Learn about the benefits of active playground games and discover a variety of new games to add to your repertoire. This training course will help you develop confidence in delivering active play opportunities, and we’ll share tips on how to overcome obstacles to help get your games off to a flying start.
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In addition - we offer support materials such as our famous Playground Games FOBs, ideal for schools. This is located on our SPN Engage Hub here: CLICK ME!!
PLAY IN THE DARK
In the northern hemisphere we have shorter days for around 6 months of the year. Traditionally children are not usually encouraged to play in the dark, it may be considered unsafe or even scary for some. However, the dark can be exciting and magical, our senses are heightened and the dark can provide a greater range of possibilities and opportunities for play.
At this training course experiment with play using light and shadow, and learn how to light a fire and develop activities around it.
LIGHT PLAY TRAINING
The dark can be exciting and magical, our senses are heightened and the dark can provide a greater range of possibilities & opportunities for play. We use light to engage children and spark their imagination
PLAY IN A POD
It is our mission to provide children in Scotland with more opportunities for unstructured, imaginative play using loose parts and scrap materials. Through Play in a Pod, we offer a programme of training and guidance to schools and community groups interested in setting up loose parts play projects. Ideal for schools for school-wide approaches to Loose Parts play training here in Scotland
LITTLE EXPLORERS
This workshop is suitable for practitioners who advocate play with children from birth to three, or for anyone who is interested in children’s early learning & development through play.
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This informal and practical session will explore the importance of play and offer a variety of ideas around different themes which help stimulate and encourage children’s exploration and natural curiosity.
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The workshop resources embrace and celebrate the ethical use of recycled and everyday objects and materials.
ALL WEATHER PLAY
In Scotland we get all of the elements, so how can we use these within play to benefit children? This training will look at the benefits of playing in the rain, wind, snow and sun whilst doing some practical, hands on activities that embrace these elements.
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Prepare to get messy as we explore lots of play ideas that use the elements!
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We also provide an E-Learning option through our SPN ENGAGE Site: CLICK ME!!
INTRODUCTION TO WOODWORK
This woodworking for beginners course will help you to learn basic woodworking skills and safe practices, which will enable you to implement woodworking activities safely with children and young people in your setting.
BESPOKE TRAINING
We offer bespoke play training courses tailored to your setting and the needs of your organisation.
Get in touch to find out what we can offer.