Online Play Facilitation Training

Online Play Facilitation Training

Our Play Facilitation Certificate of Completion training is now ONLINE!! This is an introductory course that will help you incorporate play through two facilitation roles: supporting and directing.

This training is a great introduction to PLAY for those who work with children in camps, museums, childcare, parks and out-of-school programs. The training is aimed at adults working with children in age groups 3-5, 6-8, and 9-11. There is also a brief segment on children ages 12 and up. The training gives adult facilitators the tools, beginner knowledge, and confidence to provide unstructured play experiences at their facility.

The format of the training is an average of two to three hours of online learning for an individual to complete the program.

Through online quizzes and exercises, the Certificate of Completion program ensures comprehension of the training material. There is also a resources section available throughout and after the training.

Two Enrollment Options

Individual enrollment:

  • Online training
  • Certificate of completion from the US Play Coalition and Clemson University

Departments, schools, or organizations enrollment:

  • Online training for groups of 6-10
  • Certificates of completion from the US Play Coalition and Indiana University

The online Play Facilitation Training is scheduled to reopen in 2024. Please stay tuned!

Content Covered

Specific topics covered during the training include:

  • About PlayThe Importance of Play
    • Characteristics of Play
    • Types of Play
    • Examples of Play
  • Play and its Relationship to Stages of Child Development
    • Brief overview of child development characteristics
    • Role of play related to those characteristics
      Examples of suitable games and activities

Roles of Play Facilitator

  • Setting the Stage
    • Safety and security
    • Support for play environment
  • Overseeing Play
  • Directing vs. Supporting Play
    • Balance between both
    • Examples of situations where appropriate
    • Examples of facilitator’s behavior

Fran P. Mainella

Fran Mainella is a Visiting Scholar at Clemson University Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management. Previously, she completed nearly six years as the 16th Director and the first woman to lead the National Park Service. Fran served twelve years as Director of Florida’s State Parks, which were awarded the Gold Medal Award, recognizing Florida as the best state park system in the country. She has also served as executive director of the Florida Recreation and Park Association and as president of both the National Recreation and Park Association and the National Association of State Park Directors.