Teaching Through Play in Overcrowded Classrooms Workshop

Play-based learning remains one of the most powerful ways to improve engagement, participation, and understanding in primary school classrooms — even in challenging teaching environments. This practical in-person workshop is designed specifically for teachers working in overcrowded classrooms who want realistic and manageable strategies for incorporating play into everyday teaching.

Participants will explore how structured play can support literacy, numeracy, classroom management, collaboration, communication, and learner wellbeing without requiring expensive resources or large classroom spaces.

The workshop will focus on practical, low-preparation activities that teachers can immediately apply in Foundation and Intermediate Phase classrooms while still maintaining curriculum coverage and classroom structure.

Teachers will leave with practical classroom ideas, movement-based learning strategies, group activities, and engagement techniques designed for real South African classroom contexts.

During this workshop, participants will learn:

✔ How to use play-based learning in overcrowded classrooms
✔ Practical literacy and numeracy games for everyday teaching
✔ Low-cost and no-cost classroom play activities
✔ Strategies for managing movement, noise, and transitions effectively
✔ How to improve learner engagement and participation through play
✔ Ways to balance CAPS curriculum demands with interactive teaching approaches

Perfect for:

• Foundation Phase teachers
• Intermediate Phase teachers
• Learning support educators
• Grade heads and primary school educators