Region 9: Impact of Play and Supportive Environments on Children’s Behavior (In-person)

Play and supportive learning environments are essential for children's healthy development. Through play, children develop self-regulation, cooperation, communication, and problem-solving skills while learning to manage emotions, collaborate with others, and navigate challenges. These experiences strengthen social-emotional competence and can reduce challenging behaviors. As children engage in play, their behaviors also provide valuable insight into how well the environment supports their developmental needs, reminding us that behavior is often a form of communication rather than simply something to manage.
 
Participants will learn strategies that support educators in creating emotionally safe environments and use play-based approaches to strengthen children’s social–emotional development and self-regulation.

Learning Outcomes
 - Identify how play supports social and emotional development and self-regulation.
 - Understand how the environment supports children’s behavior.
 - Discuss how big body play supports social and emotional, cognitive, and language development.

Interpretation will not be provided, as this training will be offered in Spanish next year.

No habrá interpretación, ya que este taller sera presentado en español el próximo año. 

Individuals with disabilities in need of auxiliary aides and services may request assistance by contacting csalisbury@ocde.us. OCDE may take photographs of participants at the event. These photographs might be used to document the event, promote events in written materials, posted on the OCDE website or supplemental webpages, or on the digital frame in the entry to OCDE office.