Overview
'Play is not a luxury. Play is a necessity' (Kay Redfield Jamison, 2005). Playful learning is at the core of recent curriculum updates. As teachers, we support children's holistic development with simple, playful learning experiences. Develop confidence in your approach to planning, teaching and assessing in this practical, play-based summer course. We explore the strategies that are supported by theory, and reflect on what works well in our classrooms. Arrive with curiosity; leave with confidence and fresh ideas.

Learning Outcomes
This course explores play as a dynamic and intentional pedagogy. It will equip you with the knowledge, confidence, and practical strategies to design and facilitate rich, playful learning environments where every child can thrive.

Across five engaging modules, you will examine different types of play, create inspiring learning spaces, reflect on the role of the teacher as a facilitator of learning, and learn how to plan, teach, and assess the curriculum through purposeful, play-based pedagogical practices.

Facilitator - Tina McLaughlin
Tina McLaughlin is an infant teacher in North Donegal, with 20 years teaching experience. She has a Masters in Early Childhood Education and a HDip in Psychology. Tina has supervised final year Early Childhood students in Marino Institute of Education, and has been a guest lecturer at the ATU, Letterkenny and Coláiste Uisce, Mayo. She spent 6 years representing District 3 on the INTO's Education Committee and represented the INTO on the NCCA's 'Updating Aistear' development group from 2022-2024. Tina has presented webinars on outdoor play, infant education, playful learning and communication in the early years. She has a passion for playful pedagogy, literacy, numeracy and the early years.

Summer Course Booking Policy
- Lunch will be provided daily.
- Our summer courses are booked on the condition that the course fee is non-refundable.
- Unfortunately, if you wish to cancel your place on one of our courses or are unable to attend the course, we are not in a position to refund fees.
- County Donegal Education Support Centre reserves the right to cancel a Summer Course where there are not sufficient numbers to run the course.
- In the event of the Centre having to cancel your course, you will be offered an alternative course or offered a full refund.
- In line with DES Circular 0037/1997, participants attending Summer Courses accrue entitlements as follows:  

• Full Attendance (20 Hours): 3 EPV Days
• 4 Days Attendance (16 Hours): 2 EPV Days
• No EPV days will be awarded for less than 4 days attendance 

Thank you for your continued support of the County Donegal Education Support Centre. 

Closing Date for Registration is Friday 19th June 2026