Facilitating play in the playground for SEND students

“Play supports the lifelong development of children. Students with SEND face significantly more barriers than neurotypical children when developing key learning skills, and this includes play. Learn about the benefits of play for SEND students and how best to facilitate and support play as a practitioner (with a focus on playgrounds).

Learning outcomes

• You will understand the importance of play and the main types of play
• You will feel confident when facilitating play in the playground
• You will know some tools, ideas, and strategies for supporting play with SEND students

Advantages of this course

• Play should be freely chosen and students with SEND should be given the freedom to decide what they would like to play, and how to go about it. For practitioners, it can be challenging when supporting students to access play without intervening too much. This course will suggest ways to support SEND students through play.
• Teaching staff should always be finding ways to increase play and physical activity during the school day, and increase child participation. This course contains ideas for activities and games to try at school.
• Additional activities encourage you to reflect on your learning
• There is also suggested extended reading that gives both practical information and links to websites to expand knowledge”