Module 3 Part 1: Practical tips & tricks
In-the-moment
At this stage you have developed a playgroup philosophy and explored the importance of some key tenets of playgroup structure to make a draft plan. There are many aspects of the playgroup that can be planned in advance, but the intricacies of how to facilitate well, in-the-moment, are essential when establishing the playful tone of the group.
Why is it important?
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Social interaction is not only important for children’s cognitive and social development, it is also important to older people, and research tells us that it even outweighs the impacts on physical and mental health for successful ageing (Zhang, 2016). It is therefore important to consider how we can facilitate intergenerational play across children, their parents and elders to bring a wider social network to group members.
Watch...
Associate Professor Cathrine Nielsen-Hewett shares the importance of play with some insightful pedagogical strategies to suport intergenerational play.
Step 1:
Activity
Write down your initial thoughts on what does the word facilitation means to you?
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What does it mean to be a facilitator in the playgroup environment?
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As a facilitator my role is…
Step 2:
Facilitation
The facilitator is the ‘glue’ between elders and the children and their caregivers, and requires an interpersonal skill set (Stanley et al., 2021).
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Facilitation...
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is social interaction
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is support of meaningful interaction between elders, children, and their parents (3 generations!)
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is respectful of someone’s autonomy
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is guidance not direction
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is a trusted relationship
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is not based on a hierarchical relationship
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is not teaching
Activity reflection...
How aligned is your initial idea of facilitation with the list above?
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If your idea of what facilitation is or what it looks like has changed, think about why that is. Our ideas often come from our own experiences - maybe we have fond memories of someone supporting us well, or maybe someone didn't facilitated poorly. Now is a good time to think and decide the kind of facilitator you want to be, tied in with your playgroup philosophy.
Step 3:
Useful tools
To help you grow in confidence in facilitation, we have collated strategies and expert advice. The information and videos will share some ways that help facilitate intergenerational interactions.
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Pedagogical strategies
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Use 'we' when addressing the group - to promote group-membership
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Use of questions - open ended questions are great for creativity and imagination and can lead to group discussion between members.
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Joint discovery - when the facilitator doesn't know the answer, the group is on a joint quest of discovery and play.
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Transitions - moving the whole group to a new activity can be smoother with time reminders, a sound/song to notify an end of one activity and the beginning of another. Give members time to move between activities.
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Listen - not just with your ears, but really observe what members are 'telling' you. Does their body language show that they are actively engaged? Notice interactions between members without being directly involved.
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Watch...
Associate Professor Jessica Mantei talks about the environment and playgroup set up to support play across the ages.
Watch...
Natalie Day shares how we can support people when they play and experience challenge.
Step 4: Activity
Revisit your plan from Module 2. In the last column titled ‘Facilitator supports by’ add ways that you can support the activity/wellbeing outcomes using some of the practices you’ve just heard about.