Explorations Early Learning

Promoting play, defending childhood, and empowering caregivers.

Explorations Early Learning


09/09/2025 | Using Tools With Kids

Date And Time: 09/09/2025 7:00pm Central Time
Tags: , ,

Using tools makes kids feel strong, capable, confident, and powerful. This session looks at setting up learning-rich and safe tool-use experiences for young children. We also offer tips to help adults who feel intimidated by tools get more comfortable with them, so they can better support tool-wielding kids.

$20.00 $16.00
Save 20% | Offer Ends 01/01/2025

Become A Member And Save

  • All sessions take placeย at 7:00pm Central Time, USA. (Eastern 8:00pm | Mountain 6:00pm | Pacific 5:00pm )
  • If you cannot attend the live event but still want the information and a professional development certificate, you can register and access the session recording afterward. The recording is posted to the session’s landing page by noon the following day. I’ve confirmed that I can issue valid professional development training certificates for IL, MI, NE, and WI participants and that watching the recording is unacceptable for MO and OK participants. Beyond that, you’ll have to check into what counts and does not count as professional development in your corner of the world.
  • Contact me at any time if you have questions or need help.
  • After registering, you will receive an email with session details. If you’re new to our site, you will receive a separate email with your username and a link to set a password. You must log in with your username and password to attend the training.
  • This training takes place live at explorationsearlylearning.com via the Zoom meeting platform.
  • To receive a valid Certificate Of Completion, you must attend the entire event with your video on, sign in via the chat area, participate, and submit an evaluation after the session.
  • Trainings are recorded for archival purposes.
  • Browse our trainingย FAQs.

Recordings of past live online training events are available for those interested in the topic but who do not need a training certificate. These recordings also include access to a resource page full of useful related links

  1. Training Overview Video
  2. Before The Training Video
  3. During The Training Video
  4. After The Training Video
  5. Registering Multiple People Video
  6. Refund And Transfer Video


Using Tools With Kids
Contact Jeff About This Training
Training Topics

Description

Using tools makes kids feel strong, capable, confident, and powerful. This session looks at setting up learning-rich and safe tool-use experiences for young children. We also offer tips to help adults who feel intimidated by tools get more comfortable with them, so they can better support tool-wielding kids.

Outcomes / Goals

Attendees will:

  • Acquire ideas for setting up tool-use experiences for young children
  • Understand the benefits of supporting childrenโ€™s tool use
  • Gain confidence in their abilities to use tools and support childrenโ€™s use of tools

Competency Area

  • Alabama | Learning Experiences And Enrichment / Child Development
  • Illinois | Curriculum Or Program Design
  • Michigan | Teaching And Learning
  • Missouri | Use A Broad Repertoire Of Teaching Skills And Strategies For Learning
  • Nebraska | Planning Learning Experiences And Curriculum
  • Oklahoma | Learning Environments And Curriculum
  • South Dakota | Learning Environments
  • Wisconsin | Learning Experiences, Strategies, And Curriculum
  • CDA | Advancing Childrenโ€™s Physical And Intellectual Development

Clock Hours

Available in 60 and 90-minute formats

Agenda 

This is the breakdown for the 60-minute version of the session:

TopicTimeActivity
Introduction05 minutesMonologue
Benefits Of Child Tool Use10 minutesDiscussion
Tool Use Ideas, Strategies, And Tips40 minutesDiscussion / Demonstration
Conclusion05 minutesMonologue

Related Resources

This session is based in part on content from my books:

  • Let Them Play
  • Letโ€™s Play
  • Letโ€™s All Play

Content Level

Beginner / Intermediate

Age Group Focus

  • Toddlers (12 months to 36 months)
  • Preschool (36 months to 5 years)
  • School Age (5 years to 12 years)
  • Adults

Target Audience

  • Family Child Care Providers
  • Child Care Center Teachers
  • Child Care Center Directors
  • Head Start Teachers
  • Head Start Administrators
  • Early Head Start Teachers
  • Service Coordination Staff
  • Technical Assistance Specialists
  • Home Visitors
  • Parents