The Power of Play - How Play Changes Lives

Ben Kingston-Hughes, Inspired Children

Ben Kingston-Hughes is an international keynote speaker, author and multi award-winning trainer. He is also the Managing Director of Inspired Children and has worked with vulnerable children across the UK for over 35 years. He has appeared on television several times working on a variety of children’s projects and his distinctive blend of humour, neuroscience and real-life practical experiences have made his training invaluable for anyone working with children. His game-changing book about play, “A Very Unusual Journey into Play” has gained widespread acclaim and his brand new book, “Why Children Need Joy” is available now and is a finalist for a Nursery World Award for best professional book 2024.

“A wonderful book, engaging and easy to read, worth every penny, and thoroughly recommended.” Jim Morehouse - Verified Amazon Purchaser

Keynote Speaker

Ben Kingston-Hughes - The Power of Play

Play is the single most important developmental process in any child’s life and we restrict it at our peril. It is fundamental to the cognitive, emotional and neurological development of children as well as underpinning all other aspects of learning. This thought-provoking keynote highlights the importance of play from a developmental perspective and also as a therapeutic process that can profoundly impact children’s self-esteem, confidence and mental health. Interactive, humorous and with up to date information about the neuroscience and biochemistry of play this keynote will help delegates rediscover their passion for play and help them to stand up for children’s rights to play in a society that does not seem to value this essential process.

Delegates will be able to attend all six workshops of one hour each – Workshops lead by Ben Kingston-Hughes, Sylvia Lewis and Gareth Cotterell.

Ben Kingston-Hughes - Workshop - Imaginative Play - A firework display in the brain

Prepare for a journey into a strange world where nothing is as it seems and absolutely anything is possible. This insightful workshop explores how imaginative play directly encourages brain development, communication and language and emotional well-being, and can be one of the most vital processes in childhood. We will also explore how imaginative environments can help create profound experiences and life-long benefits for children. Delegates will obtain a wealth of ideas to take back to their settings to stimulate children’s imaginations. It also touches upon the neuroscience of imaginative play demonstrating that imagination is potentially one of the most important developmental processes in any child’s life and one of the greatest gifts they will ever receive.

Warning may contain Dragons.

Ben Kingston-Hughes - Workshop - How Children Develop Empathy – unlocking empathy in our children and promoting pro-social behaviour

Empathy is a key factor in positive behaviour, social development and emotional well-being. It is vital that our children develop empathy, especially in light of a global pandemic where social experiences have significantly declined. This unique workshop looks at how children develop empathy in the first place and what we can do as leaders and practitioners to support the process. Combining the latest neuroscience with compelling real-life examples, this workshop unpicks the complexities of empathy in a way that is accessible to all and could make a profound difference to our children and their behaviour.

Sylvia Lewis - Workshop -The Power of the 3 I's - Unlocking Intent, Implementation and Impact in Early Years

Do you ever wonder if the activities you are planning are truly engaging the children?

Are you finding it challenging to set up experiences that meet every child's needs?

Do you want to make a real difference in how children learn and develop?

In this workshop, we will dive into how to sharpen your focus on Intent, Implementation and Impact , the core pillars of the EYFS framework that can transform your approach to Early Years Education.

You will discover how to:-

- Create purposeful activities that capture children’s curiosity and imagination.

- Adapt your environment and interactions to ensure every child is involved and learning,

regardless of ability.

- Assess the true impact of your activities, focusing on the process rather than just the product.

Sylvia Lewis - Workshop -Developing an Effective Learning Walk - Enhancing Your Nursery’s Practice

As a manager or deputy manager, have you ever wondered if the learning walk will truly capture the strengths and areas for growth in your setting?

Are you confident in identifying what Ofsted will look for, or do you feel like there is more you could be doing to improve the quality of your observations? If these questions resonate, then this workshop is for you.

This workshop will provide you with the tools and strategies to carry out impactful learning walks that go beyond the surface.

You will learn how to identify key elements in your nursery’s environment, staff practice, and child engagement to ensure continuous improvement and readiness for your Ofsted inspection. In this session, you will discover how to:-

- Spot strengths and areas for development in your setting that may go unnoticed during daily routines.

- Evaluate staff interactions and child engagement in real-time, ensuring your team is consistently meeting the highest standards.

- Prepare your setting to know what Ofsted inspectors are looking for and how to showcase your nursery’s best practices with confidence.

Gareth Cotterell - Workshop - Interaction – Sustained shared thinking

Join Gareth as we discuss interactions within the Early Years.

What do interactions look like in the baby room, two-year-old room and pre-school room?

What do they look like at the beginning of the year, the midpoint and the end of the year?

When should you step in, when should you question and when should you be quiet.

We will discuss interfering V’s interacting.

How do great interactions lead to sustained shared thinking?

What happens when too many adults watch the children and take notes?

Is it ok to just let children ‘be’ sometimes in the setting?

Does this work in all rooms?

We will also look at how great interactions lead to greater emotional well-being in children and how if we get it right, this will increase children’s confidence, and independence.

Gareth Cotterell - Workshop - Ofsted Inspections - Are you ready?

Join Gareth in a whistle stop tour of what Ofsted are looking for, what we assume they are looking for and what elements in your setting do you need to keep “on the boil”.

We discuss the triangulation of the inspection process, how they question owners, managers and staff and also being ready for that call.

We will look at empowering your team and ensuring they feel confident, supported by you and ready for the day.

We will also investigate effective leadership, what a modern leader looks like and how to ensure your staff team and you are all working cohesively together.

We will also explore the needs of the children in your setting V’s only doing it because Ofsted are coming.

Host or Publisher Sponsored by Smarty Pants Abbey Lane Nursery