Event: ECDA's Start With Play Fall Conference 2026

Exp 15 PM: The Use of Play in Supporting Classroom Management & Getting Ready for Outdoor Loose Parts Play - In Every Season

Morning Session: In this session we will explore how children's brains develop, reframing how we view childhood behaviors and learning new ways to make sense of their big feelings and experiences. Together, we will discuss how play-based interventions can support children as they navigate through these experiences, including how play based interventions can enhance their overall development. In addition, we will talk about how play can be integrated into all classroom activities, supporting your classroom management strategies and giving you more tools in your role as an ECE.

Afternoon Session: Does it feel like all members of your staff are ready for loose parts play, right up until it means the adults are getting cold and / or wet?

Join us for a session that goes beyond the importance of outdoor loose parts play into the practical realities of making that happen at your site. Indoors is easy and often the default, but outdoors? That can take a little more effort – not so much for the children in your care – more likely for your staff who may struggle with appropriate clothing and mindset around being outdoors in cold, wet weather. We’ll begin with a discussion of the playwork principles and the developmental importance of outdoor loose parts play, then move into discussion of your experiences and questions about how to encourage staff engagement with outdoor loose parts play in more challenging weather conditions.

Date: November 5, 2026
Time: 1:00 PM
Location: PM: Quality Inn