Kindergarten Without Toys: Design strategies and techniques for play-based activities, fostering imagination, and providing a nurturing learning environment that encourages exploration and discovery
Spark Curiosity, Ditch the Toys!
Unleash creativity in your kindergarten! Explore design strategies for toy-free classrooms. Foster imagination, exploration & discovery in a nurturing learning environment. This course equips teachers for play-based learning success!
Unleash creativity in your kindergarten! Explore design strategies for toy-free classrooms. Foster imagination, exploration & discovery in a nurturing learning environment. This course equips teachers for play-based learning success!
The face-to-face teacher training course "Kindergarten Without Toys" is a unique training opportunity for teachers who work with young children in kindergarten settings. The course focuses on creating an engaging learning environment without traditional toys and playthings, encouraging teachers to think creatively about how they can foster curiosity, imagination, and exploration in young children.
During the course, participants will learn how to use everyday objects and materials to stimulate learning and creativity in their students. They will explore different approaches to teaching without relying on traditional toys and games, including sensory experiences, outdoor activities, and art projects.
Participants will also have the opportunity to share their own experiences and ideas, as well as collaborate with other teachers to develop new teaching strategies and techniques. Throughout the course, instructors will provide guidance and feedback, helping teachers to refine their ideas and implement them effectively in their classrooms.
By the end of the course, teachers will have a toolkit of innovative teaching strategies and techniques that they can use to create an engaging and stimulating learning environment for their kindergarten students, even without traditional toys and playthings. They will be equipped to develop creative, age-appropriate activities that foster a love of learning and encourage children to explore and discover the world around them.
“Without any toys, children have the time to develop their own ideas,” said Elisabeth Seifert, the managing director of Aktion Jugendschutz, a Munich-based youth nonprofit that promotes the "Kindergarten without Toys" project. “In toy-free time, they don’t play with finished toys. They develop their own games. They play more together, so they can better develop psychosocial competencies.”
During the course, participants will learn how to use everyday objects and materials to stimulate learning and creativity in their students. They will explore different approaches to teaching without relying on traditional toys and games, including sensory experiences, outdoor activities, and art projects.
Participants will also have the opportunity to share their own experiences and ideas, as well as collaborate with other teachers to develop new teaching strategies and techniques. Throughout the course, instructors will provide guidance and feedback, helping teachers to refine their ideas and implement them effectively in their classrooms.
By the end of the course, teachers will have a toolkit of innovative teaching strategies and techniques that they can use to create an engaging and stimulating learning environment for their kindergarten students, even without traditional toys and playthings. They will be equipped to develop creative, age-appropriate activities that foster a love of learning and encourage children to explore and discover the world around them.
“Without any toys, children have the time to develop their own ideas,” said Elisabeth Seifert, the managing director of Aktion Jugendschutz, a Munich-based youth nonprofit that promotes the "Kindergarten without Toys" project. “In toy-free time, they don’t play with finished toys. They develop their own games. They play more together, so they can better develop psychosocial competencies.”
Reimagine Kindergarten: Unleashing the Power of Play Without Toys
Ready to transform your kindergarten classroom into a vibrant hub of imagination and discovery? This innovative course challenges traditional approaches by exploring the power of play-based learning in a toy-free environment.Embrace the Benefits of Toy-Free Play:
- Spark Creativity & Problem-Solving: Discover how a carefully designed, toy-free space fosters ingenuity, critical thinking, and collaboration skills as children utilize everyday materials in extraordinary ways.
- Nurture Social-Emotional Development: Learn strategies to create a nurturing environment that encourages empathy, communication, and conflict resolution through imaginative play scenarios.
- Empower Exploration & Discovery: Explore design techniques for creating a stimulating space that ignites curiosity and encourages children to become active participants in their own learning journey.
- Master Design Strategies: Delve into practical methods for creating a flexible and engaging toy-free classroom that sparks imaginative play and caters to diverse learning styles.
- Discover Playful Activities: Explore a treasure trove of engaging play activities that utilize everyday materials, fostering collaboration, problem-solving, and a love for learning.
- Foster a Culture of Inquiry: Learn how to guide children's exploration and discovery through open-ended questions, active listening, and responsive teaching strategies.
- Kindergarten teachers seeking to create a more dynamic and play-based learning environment
- Educators passionate about fostering creativity, problem-solving, and social-emotional development in young children
- Anyone interested in exploring alternative approaches to early childhood education
Program of Training Activities
School Visits and Job Swadowing offered whithin the course, |
Kindergarten without Toys
Program
Day by Day program of the training activities under Key Action 1
Day 1: Monday
10:00 - 11:30: Welcome and course introduction and overview
11:30 - 13:30: KIndergarten Without Toys [Lecture and brainstorming activities]
13:30 - 15:00: Sample lessons that can be introduced in Early Education, Nursery and Kindergarten that focus on real-world issues and problems. [Demonstration]
Evening: Free Time
Day 2: Tuesday
10:00 - 12:00: Hands-on exercises on how to implement Inquiry Based Learning, how to design and address the Scientific Method in your lesson planning [workshop]
12:00 - 14:00: Toy-Free Kindergarten doesn’t mean play-free [Lecture and brainstorming activities]
14:00 - 15:00: Lessons involve students in productive teamwork and allow for multiple right answers and re-frame failure as a necessary part of learning [Lecture and brainstorming activities]
Cultural Program (optional):
STE[A]M Athens Old City walk, Plaka, Thisseio, Ancient Agora of Athens, Acropolis Museum and/or Acropolis Hill and/or Anafiotika. Enjoy the sightseeing and discover STE[A]M approaches that can be incorporated during a field trip with students
Day 3: Wednesday*
10:00 - 12:00: Why Fewer Toys Will Benefit Your Kids [Demonstration]
12:00 - 14:00: Toys from Trash [workshop]
14:00 - 15:00: Possible scenarios on using these tools in everyday teaching activities [Brainstorming among participants]
* For groups up to three (3) participants the course will take place at Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center
Day 4: Thursday
Visit at Glyfada's Open Street Market and Food Market
10:00 - 12:00: Ways to Keep Your Students Occupied Without Toys Board Games Transformation
12:00 - 13:30: Quick tools and professional tools. [Demonstration]
13:30 - 15:00: STEM-STEAM learning paths [workshop]
Evening: Free Time
Day 5: Friday
09:30 - 11:30: JOB SHADOWING: visit a private school in Athens area and experience a STEAM implementation by Dr. Petros Georgiakakis
11:30 - 13:00: Project group work
13:00 - 15:00: Presentation of group projects, Evaluation, followed by certification ceremony, Guidelines for follow-up activities.
Closure
Program
Day by Day program of the training activities under Key Action 1
Day 1: Monday
10:00 - 11:30: Welcome and course introduction and overview
11:30 - 13:30: KIndergarten Without Toys [Lecture and brainstorming activities]
13:30 - 15:00: Sample lessons that can be introduced in Early Education, Nursery and Kindergarten that focus on real-world issues and problems. [Demonstration]
Evening: Free Time
Day 2: Tuesday
10:00 - 12:00: Hands-on exercises on how to implement Inquiry Based Learning, how to design and address the Scientific Method in your lesson planning [workshop]
12:00 - 14:00: Toy-Free Kindergarten doesn’t mean play-free [Lecture and brainstorming activities]
14:00 - 15:00: Lessons involve students in productive teamwork and allow for multiple right answers and re-frame failure as a necessary part of learning [Lecture and brainstorming activities]
Cultural Program (optional):
STE[A]M Athens Old City walk, Plaka, Thisseio, Ancient Agora of Athens, Acropolis Museum and/or Acropolis Hill and/or Anafiotika. Enjoy the sightseeing and discover STE[A]M approaches that can be incorporated during a field trip with students
Day 3: Wednesday*
10:00 - 12:00: Why Fewer Toys Will Benefit Your Kids [Demonstration]
12:00 - 14:00: Toys from Trash [workshop]
14:00 - 15:00: Possible scenarios on using these tools in everyday teaching activities [Brainstorming among participants]
* For groups up to three (3) participants the course will take place at Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center
Day 4: Thursday
Visit at Glyfada's Open Street Market and Food Market
10:00 - 12:00: Ways to Keep Your Students Occupied Without Toys Board Games Transformation
12:00 - 13:30: Quick tools and professional tools. [Demonstration]
13:30 - 15:00: STEM-STEAM learning paths [workshop]
Evening: Free Time
Day 5: Friday
09:30 - 11:30: JOB SHADOWING: visit a private school in Athens area and experience a STEAM implementation by Dr. Petros Georgiakakis
11:30 - 13:00: Project group work
13:00 - 15:00: Presentation of group projects, Evaluation, followed by certification ceremony, Guidelines for follow-up activities.
Closure
Learning Objectives
The learning objectives of the face-to-face teacher training course "Kindergarten Without Toys" are:
- To explore and understand the concept of teaching without traditional toys and playthings in a kindergarten setting.
- To develop innovative teaching strategies and techniques that encourage curiosity, imagination, and exploration in young children.
- To discover how everyday objects and materials can be used to create a stimulating and engaging learning environment for kindergarten students.
- To learn about different approaches to teaching without relying on traditional toys and games, including sensory experiences, outdoor activities, and art projects.
- To collaborate with other teachers and share experiences and ideas, in order to develop new teaching strategies and techniques.
- To receive guidance and feedback from instructors, in order to refine teaching ideas and implement them effectively in the classroom.
- To gain a toolkit of innovative teaching strategies and techniques that can be used to create an engaging and stimulating learning environment for kindergarten students.
- To develop creative, age-appropriate activities that foster a love of learning and encourage children to explore and discover the world around them.
- To understand the importance of play in early childhood development, and how non-traditional approaches to teaching can enhance children's learning experiences.
- To build confidence in teaching without traditional toys and playthings, and to feel inspired and motivated to develop new and innovative teaching methods.
Methodology
The methodology of the face-to-face teacher training course "Kindergarten Without Toys" typically involves a combination of interactive presentations, hands-on workshops, group discussions, and reflection exercises.
The course will be facilitated by experienced instructors who will guide participants through a range of activities and exercises designed to help them explore and understand the concept of teaching without traditional toys and playthings in a kindergarten setting.
Participants will also be encouraged to collaborate with each other and share experiences and ideas, in order to develop new teaching strategies and techniques. They will receive guidance and feedback from instructors, who will help them to refine their ideas and implement them effectively in the classroom.
The course will also provide opportunities for participants to learn about different approaches to teaching without relying on traditional toys and games, including sensory experiences, outdoor activities, and art projects.
Overall, the methodology of the course is designed to be practical, interactive, and hands-on, with a focus on developing innovative teaching strategies and techniques that encourage curiosity, imagination, and exploration in young children.
The course will be facilitated by experienced instructors who will guide participants through a range of activities and exercises designed to help them explore and understand the concept of teaching without traditional toys and playthings in a kindergarten setting.
Participants will also be encouraged to collaborate with each other and share experiences and ideas, in order to develop new teaching strategies and techniques. They will receive guidance and feedback from instructors, who will help them to refine their ideas and implement them effectively in the classroom.
The course will also provide opportunities for participants to learn about different approaches to teaching without relying on traditional toys and games, including sensory experiences, outdoor activities, and art projects.
Overall, the methodology of the course is designed to be practical, interactive, and hands-on, with a focus on developing innovative teaching strategies and techniques that encourage curiosity, imagination, and exploration in young children.
Submit your inquiry
Find the course and the available dates at the European School Education Platform - ESEP
If you need any help in applying or in complete the application form contact Dr. Petros Georgiakakis at petrosprojects[at]gmail.com
Inquiries may be submitted via google forms
If you need any help in applying or in complete the application form contact Dr. Petros Georgiakakis at petrosprojects[at]gmail.com
Inquiries may be submitted via google forms