Let's play: Learning through play

Families/whānau of young children under 5, currently on a waitlist for Ministry of Health
or Ministry of Education or referred through early childhood setting

• How play is the key element of child development
• How YOU can make a difference in the child’s development
• How to use the everyday activities and routines of whānau to develop:
Communicating · Enjoying being together · Sharing attention
Imitating · Having fun · Planning and problem solving

• Pre course visit—getting to know your Play Coach
• Learning Session 1: The basics of play – Followed by Home visit 1
• Learning Session 2: Following your child’s lead – Followed by Home visit 2
• Learning Session 3: Using everyday routines
• Following the 3 learning sessions there will be 3 weekly visits to help you use
these strategies
• Finally, as a group celebration we will come together to share the things we
have learnt and meet each other’s tamariki.

The Let’s Play Programme is part of a wider research project, led by Associate Professor Laurie
McLay at the University of Canterbury. Within this research, the team are evaluating the Let’s Play
Programme to ensure that it is beneficial for children and families/whānau, and to inform ongoing
development of this programme. As such, families/whānau will be required to participate in the
programme evaluation.

The research team will get in touch with families/whānau who have expressed an interest in the
Let’s Play Programme to provide more information about what the research involves.

Meanwhile, any urgent questions regarding the research can be directed to Laurie McLay:
laurie.mclay@canterbury.ac.nz; (03) 369 3522