Play is crucial to development and contributes to the cognitive, social and emotional wellbeing of children and youth. If you work in education, this course is ideal professional development for you.
Certificate of Education (Development & Play) is an online professional development course that shows you how to support, plan and implement holistic play-based learning for children.
In this play-based learning course, you will explore holistic learning and development methods, including supporting emerging physical skills and fine and gross motor skills, encouraging play and social experiences and supporting children with difficulties.
You’ll also learn about curriculum planning, childhood development, play-based pedagogies and features of play-based pedagogy. You will also discover how to support children to connect with nature by bringing the natural environment indoors, creating outdoor play opportunities and discussing sustainability.
On completion of this course, you will have a comprehensive understanding of how to support child development and education through play.
Course Structure
Unit 1 - Support the holistic learning and development of children
- Supporting emerging physical skills
- Encouraging physical development
- Daily routines and benefits of routines
- Developing and practising new skills
- Arranging equipment to develop movement skills
- Fine and gross motor skills
- Encourage challenge, choice and spontaneity
- Health and wellbeing
- Safety – making a child feel safe and secure
- Encouraging play and social experiences
- Accepting responsibility for actions
- Support and consequences
- One-to-one and small-group interactions
- Care, empathy and respect
- Support children with difficulties understanding or communicating
- Modelling language
- Developing collaborative relationships
- Respecting and valuing individual differences
- Making informed choices about behaviour
- Positive reinforcement and behaviour modelling
- Experiencing pride and confidence in achievements
- Supporting frustrated children
- Psychological responses
- Expressing and regulating feelings
- Developing and modelling empathy
- Perseverance and developing resilience
- Sharing children’s successes
- Exploration and problem-solving
- Materials, resources technologies and experiences
- Exploring concepts and ideas
- Conversation and critical thinking
- Linguistic heritage
- Home languages
- Reading and storytelling
- Stimulating children’s enjoyment with props
- Developing pre-writing skills
- Communicating listening and questioning
- Symbols and patterns
- Group discussions
- Modelling language
- Developing skills across five domains
- Brian development
- Development milestones
- Variations in development
- Scaffolding children’s learning
- Challenge, curiosity and discovery
- Accommodating privacy, solitude or quiet
- Spontaneous teaching moments
- Sharing information with colleagues
- Childhood development – links to the learning framework
- Development theories
- The curriculum planning cycle and child development
- National Quality Framework (NQF)
- National Quality Standard (NQS)
Unit 2 - Provide experiences to support children’s play and learning
- Setting up areas for specific activities
- Curriculum plan
- Safety protocols
- Safe and stimulating play areas
- Indoor and outdoor play
- Resources and materials
- Using natural, real and repurposed materials
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Observations and reflection
- Unstructured and free play
- How children learn
- Participation
- Engaging children in discussions
- The benefits of routine
- Intentional teaching
- Spontaneous teaching and learning
- Extensions of play
- Flexible use of experiences, resources and materials
- Encourage creativity and confidence
- Encouraging participation in new activities
- Group activities
- Praise
- Holistically evaluate the implementation of play
- Reflection on learning and development outcomes
- Identify improvements
- Pedagogical practices
- History of play and childhood across cultures
- Features of play-based pedagogy
Unit 3 - Support children to connect with the natural environment
- Discussions with children regarding the natural environment life and land
- Role models
- Respect care and appreciation for the environment
- Provide children with information and resources
- First Nations peoples’ connection to the natural environment
- Spirituality and culture
- The use of the environment – what we can learn
- Natural and recycled materials in learning environments
- Bringing the natural environment indoors
- Recycled and repurposed materials
- Natural materials
- Creative experiences
- Outdoor play areas and resources
- Providing children with opportunities to explore
- Discussions on sustainability
- Reducing impact on the natural environment
- Reducing negative impact on the natural environment
- Approved learning frameworks
- Experience growth and care of living things
Study Hours
Estimated duration 45 hours
Course Delivery and Start
Start anytime, self-paced and 100% online
Assessment
Assessment will be comprised of written exercises, including short-answer questions, reflective tasks, short reports and/or projects. There are no examinations or due dates for assessment. As a result, you can complete training in your own time and at your own pace with the assistance of unlimited tutor support.
Testimonials
Graduation
A Certificate of Attainment and Statement of Results will be issued upon successful completion of this course.
How to Enrol
Enrol Online: Enrol Now
Enrol via Live Chat (Business Hours)
Enrol via Telephone 1300 76 2221 (Business Hours)
Enrol via Purchase Order/Tax Invoice
Enrolling Multiple Staff?
To enrol multiple staff, please complete the Employer Enrolment Form. We’ll be in touch within 60 minutes during business hours!
Payment Options
Visa, Mastercard, BPAY and Direct Deposit.
Course FAQs
Why Choose Australian Online Courses?
- Professional development that is widely recognised and respected;
- Improve your employment opportunities;
- Study online, anywhere via our elearning system;
- High-quality professional development programs written by industry experts;
- All course materials provided online – no textbooks to buy;
- Unlimited tutor support via email;
- We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply);
- Course may be tax deductible; see your tax advisor.
Are there any entry requirements or pre-requisites?
There are no course or subject pre-requisites for entry into our programs. However, our professional development programs are generally intended for people over the age of 18. In some circumstances, enrolments from younger people may be considered. Please complete the AOC Parent Guardian Consent Form prior to enrolling and submit here.
Are there any computer requirements?
To study online with Australian Online Courses you will need a computer (desktop PC/laptop) running a current/updated operating system with reliable high-speed internet access. You will need to use the Google Chrome browser to access your course.
When can I start this course?
You can start within 60 minutes during business hours when you enrol and pay in full with a credit card!
Credit card: Within 60 mins during business hours.
BPAY: Within 1-2 working days.
Internet Banking: Within 1-2 working days.
Cheque/Money Order: Upon receipt of mailed cheque.
How is this course delivered?
This course is delivered online via our easy-to-navigate Learning Management System (LMS), where you will discover interactive online learning/written content, resources and assessment.
Do I need to attend classes or undertake any work placements?
No. All courses are delivered online via our LMS and there are no work placement requirements in this course.
What support can I expect from Australian Online Courses?
Unlimited tutor support is available throughout your studies via email only during business hours Monday to Friday. Our Administrative team are available Monday to Friday via email, live chat and telephone.
I am an international student. Can I enrol into this course?
Yes! We accept enrolments from individuals both within Australia and internationally; location is no barrier to entry into our programs.
Career Pathways
Future growth
Strong
Unemployment
Low
Professional Development for:-
- Childcare
- Child carer
- Educator
- Early childhood
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