Pierre Harrison - Speaker
Founder/Educator
PLAYLearnThink
Please sign in to see contact information.
Pierre is an Ontario certified teacher, a learning through play and inquiry specialist and a children’s right to play advocate.
Since 1985, Pierre has been involved in non‐formal learning having worked at various education centres in North America and Europe.
In 2003, Pierre launched PLAYLearnThink, a social enterprise focused on promoting child‐directed play as a fundamental necessity for a healthy and fulfilling life. Pierre facilitates Adventure PlayDays in schools and in community spaces across Canada. He keynotes nationally and internationally on play, inquiry and learning at conferences as well as facilitates training workshops for adults across the country and in Europe.
Pierre consults on play space design projects for daycares and schools and works with municipalities who are interested in play provision. Pierre appears in print, radio, TV and Web media in Canada and abroad and has authored a chapter on play in a book for parents. He has been involved with the Canadian branch of the International Play Association since 2005, having served as president from 2009 to 2019. He lives with his partner Susanne and their 13 year old son Tom (from whom he learns much) in an off‐grid, straw bale house nestled in the forest of Northern Ontario, where adventures abound and imagination soars.
Since 1985, Pierre has been involved in non‐formal learning having worked at various education centres in North America and Europe.
In 2003, Pierre launched PLAYLearnThink, a social enterprise focused on promoting child‐directed play as a fundamental necessity for a healthy and fulfilling life. Pierre facilitates Adventure PlayDays in schools and in community spaces across Canada. He keynotes nationally and internationally on play, inquiry and learning at conferences as well as facilitates training workshops for adults across the country and in Europe.
Pierre consults on play space design projects for daycares and schools and works with municipalities who are interested in play provision. Pierre appears in print, radio, TV and Web media in Canada and abroad and has authored a chapter on play in a book for parents. He has been involved with the Canadian branch of the International Play Association since 2005, having served as president from 2009 to 2019. He lives with his partner Susanne and their 13 year old son Tom (from whom he learns much) in an off‐grid, straw bale house nestled in the forest of Northern Ontario, where adventures abound and imagination soars.
Pierre Harrison's Sessions
Workshop
This workshop will explore child‐directed play and why it is a fundamental necessity for the healthy development of children. We will look at certain elements of How Does Learning Happen? Topics discussed will include child‐directed play, learning through play, loose parts, the adult’s role in making the learning visible. There will be a short play portion where participants can play with materials they have gathered. Participants will also be encouraged to share their successes and challenges.
Example of materials for the workshop:
Pencils, rubber bands, a small cardboard box (e.g. shoe box), scissors, construction paper, paper clips, rolls of toilet paper or paper towel, tennis ball, glue, clothes pin wooden sticks, tape (like duct tape), inflatable balloons, colored pencils/markers, craft/construction materials or what you can find around the house.
Le jeu : une nécessité fondamental (10h15 – 11h45)
Cet atelier est une exploration du jeu amorcé par l’enfant et comment le jeu libre est une nécessité fondamentale pour le développement sain de l’enfant. Certains éléments du document Comment apprend-on? seront ciblé. Nous aborderons plusieurs sujets tel que : le jeu amorcé par l’enfant, les pièces détachées, l’enfant qui découvre sa voix, le rôle de l’adulte à rendre l’apprentissage visible. Il y aura une petite période de jeu libre pendant la présentation où les participant.e.s auront la chance de jouer et créer avec des pièces détachées (voir la liste ci-dessous). Les participant.e.s seront encouragées à partager leurs défis ainsi que leurs succès.
Exemple de matériel pour l’atelier :
Crayons a mine, des élastiques, une petite boîte en carton (ex. boîte à soulier), des ciseaux, papier construction, des trombones, rouleaux de papier hygiénique ou d’essuie-tout, balle de tennis, la colle, épingle à linge en bois, du ruban adhésif (genres « duct tape »), ballons gonflables, crayons/marqueurs de couleur, matériel de bricolage/construction ou ce que vous pouvez trouvez autour de la maison.
Date: October 28, 2022
Time: 10:15 am - 11:45 am
Workshop
This workshop will cover different elements of How Does Learning Happen? Topics explored will include environment as third educator, co‐creating the learning environment, the exploration of risk, learning through inquiry, outdoor/nature play and risk/benefit analysis of the play space. Time permitting, we will also look at play during times of crisis and why it is important for children to always have opportunities to play freely, especially in challenging times. Participants will have the opportunity to share their
challenges and successes.
L’apprentissage : un cheminement de vie (13h15 – 14h45)
Cet atelier cible différent éléments dans le document Comment apprend-on? Il y aura une emphase sur le développement du sentiment d’appartenance chez l’enfant. Nous aborderons plusieurs sujets tel que : l’envirronnement comme 3e enseignant, la co-création du milieux d’apprentissage, l’exploration du risque, le jeu en nature et l’analyse de risque et de bénéfices ainsi que les compétence du 21e siècle. Si nous avons le temps, nous explorerons aussi le concept du jeu libre en temps de crise. Les participant.e.s seront encouragées à partager leurs défis ainsi que leurs succès.
Date: October 28, 2022
Time: 1:15 pm - 2:45 pm