Play and the Primary Curriculum Framework

This course invites teachers to explore how play can be meaningfully woven through the primary curriculum. Together, we’ll look at the continuum of play, from child-led exploration to playful learning in more structured settings, and discover how it supports children’s curiosity, creativity, and confidence.

With a focus on inclusive play, we’ll share practical ideas, strategies and resources to make playful learning accessible to every child in your classroom.

Learning Outcomes

1. Engage in Active and Playful Learning Experiences
Children will engage in active, hands-on learning experiences that promote curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving. This approach supports the development of key competencies such as being creative and a digital learner, as outlined in the curriculum's specifications

2. Develop Communication and Collaboration Skills
Through collaborative play and inquiry-based activities, children will develop effective communication and collaboration skills. This aligns with the curriculum's emphasis on fostering positive relationships and teamwork across all areas of learning

3. Foster Wellbeing Through Playful Interactions
Children will participate in playful interactions that promote emotional, social, and physical wellbeing. This supports the curriculum's focus on the interconnected dimensions of wellbeing, including physical education and social, personal, and health education (SPHE)

Facilitator: Elaine Cresham

I am a PhD candidate at the Institute of Education, Dublin City University, where my research focuses on Inclusive Play and teacher professional development. I hold a Master’s degree in Special Educational Needs (SEN) and have extensive experience teaching in multigrade settings. My expertise includes team teaching, play and implementing best-practice inclusive approaches to effective teaching, learning, and assessment. I am a published educational researcher in the area of play, REACH Journal of Inclusive Education "Aistear: the social context of play and language development" (Cresham, 2021).

Alongside my full-time teaching role, I design and deliver teacher professional development through webinars, face-to-face courses, and whole-school training. I am also the founder of Balancing Act Toys, an inclusive educational toy company dedicated to supporting playful, accessible learning for all children.