Early Years Lecturers in the Childhood, Youth and Education Centre win Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol grant

Early Years lecturers from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David have won a grant from the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol to hold a series of practical play and learning workshops for students from sixth forms and Further Education Colleges.

This is a joint project between the University and the Education, Childhood and Youth Studies Panel of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol where they work across Higher Education institutions which offer Childhood, Education and Youth courses. The project funds visits to Further Education Colleges, sixth forms and apprenticeship courses to offer practical workshops which give a taste of Higher Education and studying through the medium of Welsh.

The purpose of the workshops is to give students the opportunity to investigate the links between practical play and learning and children’s and young people’s education and wellbeing. The workshops support courses such as Childcare, Health and Care, and Psychology, and support the aims of the New Curriculum for Wales 2022 which encourages learning through discovery and curiosity.

The workshops have visited a number of areas around Wales, and have proved to be very beneficial.

During the workshops, students have received guidance on practical play with story sacks, treasure baskets and art workshops. The practical work also supports the academic discussion and theory which is an integral part of working with children and young people.

Glenda Tinney, Admissions Tutor for the University’s Early Years Studies said:

“It’s been great visiting students and offering them a chance to see the benefits and opportunities of studying in Welsh. We have also appreciated the opportunity to work across the Higher Education sector with opportunities for joint-planning and joint-presentation of the workshops.

“The feedback has been very positive so far, with students noting that the sessions are fun, support their understanding, and develop ideas about the importance of play to the holistic development of the child.”

Natasha Jones, Early Years Lecturer at Trinity Saint David, added:

“The aim of these workshops for me was to apply a better understanding of what we as a university can offer our students, within our close Welsh language communities. Not only were these workshops an opportunity to develop knowledge based on play, but also an excellent opportunity to use the language and build confidence when doing so. It was good to see individuals having fun when learning, and we are keen to be able to open doors for them in the future with the Welsh language taking a lead on that.”

Sian Dickie, Branch Officer of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, said:

“It was an excellent opportunity to visit different secondary schools and colleges to discuss what we offer at Trinity and give a taste of what our education courses involve. By the end of the sessions, I really feel that we made an impression and helped students make suitable choices for their futures.”

Further Information

Lowri Thomas

Principal Communications and PR Officer     
Corporate Communications and PR     
Email: lowri.thomas@uwtsd.ac.uk     
Phone: 07449 998476