Play Leadership Training ensures that Play Leaders have the knowledge and skills necessary to plan and coordinate safe, accessible and enjoyable play opportunities for children. The training consists of 5 modules, each dealing with a core competency for the Play Leader:
- Working with your Community
- Engaging all Children
- Playing with Children
- Planning for Play
- Developing your Skills
Upon Completion of the Play Leadership Course, Leaders will:
- Understand the requirements to support the aims and goals of their community recreation program.
- Have the knowledge required to coordinate safe and accessible play opportunities.
- Develop strategies to address the diversity of cultural, behavioural, physical and personal needs that children possess.
- Have the skills and knowledge necessary to plan and coordinate free, creative and active play opportunities.
- Recognize and model the characteristics of a successful Play Leader.
Program Curriculum Revision
In 2015, Play Leadership underwent a curriculum review. As of 2016, all Play Leadership courses will be facilitated with updated materials. Course updates include:
- Play Leadership is offered as a supplemental workshop to the HIGH FIVE® Principles of Healthy Child Development (PHCD) training – or all participants must be previously trained in PHCD.
- Recommended that PHCD and Play Leadership training are offered over a 2-day span – and all participants would receive duel certification. All current Play Mentors are also HIGH FIVE® Trainers.
- Although recommended for employment, Play Leaders are no longer required to prove their certification in CPR and First Aid (Level C).
- Recommended that learners are a minimum of 16 years of age, but 14 and 15 year olds are eligible to attend. For a community to hire a 14 or 15 year old staff member, the potential employee must pass the Young Works Readiness Certificate Course and parents must provide consent.
- A Community Programming Manual will be provided to communities who train and hire Play Leaders.
Organizing a Play Leadership Course
- Step 1: Contact and coordinate a Play Mentor to facilitate the Course – ensure to include HIGH FIVE Training if participants have not taken the course.
- Play Mentor Contact Information: Download
- Step 2: Determine a date, time and location
- Step 3: Register the course with SPRA at least a month prior to course date
- Step 4: Market the course to potential participants
- Step 5: Order manuals at least two weeks in advance of the course.
- Play Leadership Manual Order Form: Download
Program Contact
