• The SMART TEACHERS PLAY MORE (STPM) approach is inspired by sports, storytelling and mindfulness activities. It encourages multi-modal learning incorporating visual, auditory, reading and writing and kinesthetic learning styles among others. It is a holistic teaching method which is aimed for learners aged between 2 and 12 years old however can be adapted for lower secondary students.
• Recent research shows that children move a lot less than they should and at the same time the pressure on teachers to show top academic results with a class of students with different needs is increasing. Using the STPM approach outside has proven to increase both students’ and teachers’ well-being and performance in the classroom. As a holistic approach, it enables students to work on cognitive, physical and social competences simultaneously.
• The wide range of physical and sensory activities you will experience on the course will give you valuable tools to meet your students’ different needs when teaching academic concepts.

THE OUTSIDE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE:

• Movement games, station activities and obstacle courses
• Storytelling games and techniques
• Moving worksheets
• Calm and mindful activities
• All the activities provide rich opportunities for language and subject specific learning ‘in action’ without a worksheet or textbook in sight.

OUTSTANDING TRAINERS:

• Kristín Einarsdóttir, Sarah Jane Anthony and their team at STPM have been researching and developing this program and methodology for over 10 years in schools across Europe.  By combining methodologies from various disciplines, they have created a truly exciting and practical course.

SCHOOL VISIT:

• As part of the course, you will visit an Icelandic school at each educational stage. You will witness how Iceland, with only 360,000 inhabitants, produces so many well-known athletes and artists. You will see how outdoors, sport and practical subjects are given the same priority as academic subjects at all stages.