The Power of Play: Designing Environments that Engage, Connect, and Teach (4/29)

April 29 from 9-11 at Have Dreams Evanston, 2020 Dempster Street

Play is a foundational pathway for learning, communication, and social development in early childhood. This training is designed to support preschool special education teachers in understanding how to assess play development and intentionally design play opportunities that promote engagement, communication, and social interaction.

Participants will explore how to identify student interests and select play materials that motivate children and create joyful learning experiences. The session will examine developmental stages of play and how these stages support the growth of language, social interaction, and problem-solving skills.

Teachers will also learn practical strategies for structuring play environments using visuals, materials, and intentional routines to help students participate more independently and communicate during play. The training emphasizes how thoughtful planning of play spaces, materials, and adult interaction can expand student engagement and support meaningful developmental growth.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Describe development stages of play to understand how play evolves and determine students’ current levels of play, engagement, and interaction.

2. Identify student interests and motivating materials that encourage participation, enjoyment, and sustained engagement in play.

3. Design intentional play environments by selecting materials and organizing play spaces to support developmental play skills.

4. Use visual supports and structured strategies to enhance play participation, communication, and independence for young learners.

This training is ideal for preschool special education teachers

Cost: $150 per person

April 29, 2026 from 9am - 11am.

Guest Speaker: Kim Brown is a special education consultant with over 23 years of experience supporting school leaders and educators in building effective systems for students with autism and complex learning needs. She partners with over thirty-five districts across Illinois to strengthen assessment, curriculum, instruction, and inclusive programming through consultation, coaching, and professional learning.

Kim’s professional background includes roles as an early childhood special education teacher, instructional and behavior coach (EC–12), Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), building principal, and program director for specialized autism services. She also served as Director of Professional Learning and Coaching, leading professional development initiatives across 18 school districts.

Her work focuses on helping teams align evidence-based practices with clear systems and shared purpose to improve student engagement, educator confidence, and meaningful access to learning for all students.

Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.

To register and pay with a purchase order, please contact Lydia Wissing at lwissing@havedreams.org.

NO REFUND FOR CANCELLATION, HAVE DREAMS ACCOUNT CREDIT ONLY