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september Masterclass
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A 60-minute Masterclass for educators specializing in early years and kindergarten environments, or working with children from 3 - 8 years old.
Join Dr Jo Fahey in this interactive Masterclass to learn more about how neuroscience has unequivocally shown us that play is essential for human brain development, and to consolidate practical ways to facilitate and advocate for children's play.
September 17, 2025, 10:00 - 11:00 UTC
with Dr Jo Fahey
Anything Can Be Anything & Anybody Can Be Anybody:
Transformation in Children's Play
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- Experiencing top-down pressure to teach more formally than you would like to
- Working with a crowded curriculum and a perceived lack of time to include play in your timetable?
- Facing challenges in accessing play for culturally and linguistically diverse children?
Children’s innate desire to play may have been stifled or the environment may not be conducive to children feeling that they have the freedom to play, the freedom to be themselves and tap into their inner desires.
Are you:
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With her colleagues at the University of California, Berkeley, Professor Marion Diamond demonstrated the profound effect of rich play environments on brain growth and development – and conversely the detrimental effects of a deprived environment.
According to renowned Neuroscientist, Dr Stuart Brown, in conducive environments children discover their preference for particular types of play such as nature play, rough-and-tumble play and socio-dramatic play.
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Neuroscience has shown that play is essential for human brain development and that the motivation to play is hard-wired.
Join us to DISCOVER:
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Inquiring through play helps children tap into their ‘play nature’ – the preferences they have for particular types of play
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To be able to transform anything into anything and become anybody they imagine, children need the freedom and opportunity to innovate and improvise.
Meet your Presenter,
Dr Jo Fahey
Your Masterclass Presenters
Dr Jo Fahey has the lived experience of teaching and learning with young children for many years in both national and international settings.
For over 30 years, Jo has alternated between teaching in schools and preschools, working in the university sector, and leading professional learning for educators - particularly early years educators - in Europe, the Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East.
Jo has conducted extensive research leading to a doctoral dissertation. This, in turn, led to the publication of her book, ‘Ways to Learn Through Inquiry: Guiding Children to Deeper Understanding’, published in 2012 by the International Baccalaureate.
Jo's thirst for understanding how young children learn keeps her up-to-date with international and national developments in early childhood education.
For over 30 years, Jo has alternated between teaching in schools and preschools, working in the university sector, and leading professional learning for educators - particularly early years educators - in Europe, the Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East.
Jo has conducted extensive research leading to a doctoral dissertation. This, in turn, led to the publication of her book, ‘Ways to Learn Through Inquiry: Guiding Children to Deeper Understanding’, published in 2012 by the International Baccalaureate.
Jo's thirst for understanding how young children learn keeps her up-to-date with international and national developments in early childhood education.
In this Masterclass for early childhood educators, you’ll explore the neuroscience of play—gaining inspiration to enrich children’s opportunities to innovate and improvise, along with evidence to share with stakeholders who may see play as frivolous.
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As screens take over, play is disappearing. It’s up to us to champion play as essential for children’s growth—and to show families the power of rich, varied play environments.
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