Seriously Playful: (Re)discovering the Power of Playfulness – Noncredit

UNIVERSITY of WISCONSIN-MADISON

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Seriously Playful (Re)discovering the Power of Playfulness

Upcoming dates (1)

For registration assistance: 608-262-2451

Summary

This three-hour course is instructed fully live online via Zoom by instructor Casey Meehan, PhD. It will be offered over three days, with a one-hour webinar each day.

How might we engage in our lives in such a way that leaves us — and potentially those around us — feeling renewed at a time when everything in this world seems to be so challenging? Join us for this new three-hour course, offered over three one-hour live webinar sessions with instructor Casey Meehan.

Humans are by nature playful beings, yet play is largely overlooked as a tool to call upon for those of us engaged in the "Serious Work" of life. We ignore playfulness at our peril. Taking a more playful path in our work and life has numerous benefits for learning, creativity, mental well-being, problem-solving and connecting us to each other and the world we live in.

This course is designed less like a game of Trivial Pursuit and more like a trampoline. We'll discuss some empirical underpinnings of play and playfulness, but we'll also be using our time as a launchpad to explore what a more playful path could look like within the context of your workspace or life. This is not your typical sit-and-get online course. You can expect multiple chances to interact with others, you'll be creating and sharing LEGO models with others (LEGOS will be provided), and you'll probably leave with more questions than you came up with. Who knows? We might even have some fun along the way.

Please note that LEGO kits will be sent to the mailing address provided at registration.

How You Will Learn

  • Explore the basics of play theory (for adults!) and what a playful mindset looks like
  • (Re)discover your "play personality" and reflect on how you can lean into this to find energy
  • Consider how playful your work is and spot opportunities to add a bit more of it into to your work
  • Oh, and we will play a little too

Overview

Learning Objectives

At the end of this course, participants will be able to:

  • Recognize the benefits of adult playfulness
  • Identify their 'play personality' and articulate how it manifests in their life and work
  • Reflect on opportunities to add more playfulness into their work and/or life.

Audience

Beginner to Advanced

Overview: Extra Information

This class involves activities requiring LEGOs. DCS will provide a LEGO kit to learners via mail to the address provided upon registration.

Earn Continuing Education Hours

By participating in this class you will earn:

Instructional Hours 3
University of Wisconsin Continuing Education Units .3
American Psychological Association - Continuing Education Credit 3
Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services - Substance Abuse Counselors - Continuing Education Credit Hours 3
Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services - Marriage and Family Therapists - Continuing Education Credit Hours 3
Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services - Social Workers - Continuing Education Credit Hours 3
Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services - Licensed Professional Counselors 3

Explanation of Continuing Education Hours

Upcoming dates (1)

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Program Questions?

Contact Meghan Wilhelmi at [email protected] or 608-263-2829

Registration Questions?

Email [email protected] or call 608-262-2451.

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Meet your instructor

Casey Meehan

(Ph.D.) is the Director of Sustainability and Resilience at Western Technical College. He is also the Program Director for the Sustainability Institute, a 501(c)(3) with the mission of celebrating and advancing regional sustainability. As an ISSP credentialed Director of Sustainability, expert educator, and not-for-profit leader, Casey uses innovative, playful learning-based methods to build people's capacity to engage in climate work.