The Power of Play-Based Learning

3-Hour Self-Study Video Course

Course Summary

Society tends to view play time for young children as frivolous, purposeless activity. Play is often considered to be the opposite of learning. This course will examine common societal myths regarding play-based learning and provide an overview of the developmental benefits of hands-on, minds-on learning in early childhood. There will also be an evidence-based discussion of the limitations of screen-based learning for young children with developing brains and bodies. Participants will gain strategies for supporting children who are struggling learning through play along with neurodiversity-affirming strategies for supporting the play of autistic children. 

Learning Outcomes:  

As a result of this activity, the participant will be able to: 
  1.  Explain the difference between surface learning and deeper learning.
  2. Summarize the limitations of drill work, flash cards, and educational apps when supporting young children with developing brains and bodies.
  3. Describe at least 5 strategies to support the development of play skills in struggling learners

Timed Agenda

15 minutes: Overview of play-based learning

15 minutes: Common societal myths about learning and play

45 minutes: Developmental benefits of play-based learning

15 minutes: Negative impacts on play

15 minutes: Role of the adult in play

45 minutes: Categories of play development

15 minutes: Strategies to support learning through play

15 minutes: Strategies for coaching parents on screen time mindfulness 


Meet the Speaker


Cari Ebert, MS, CCC-SLP is a pediatric speech-language pathologist in the Kansas City, Missouri area. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa in 1993 and her master’s degree from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale in 1995. Cari is a therapist, consultant, author, product developer, and nationally recognized speaker who gets paid to do what she loves most—TALK! She specializes in autism, apraxia, and early intervention. Cari’s son has dual diagnoses of autism and apraxia, allowing her to engage audiences both as a professional and as a parent of a child with different abilities. In 2018, Cari co-authored a book with Dave Hammer titled, The SLP’s Guide to Treating Childhood Apraxia of Speech. In 2020, she published a book on autism titled, The Learning to Learn Program. Visit www.cariebertseminars.com to browse Cari’s wide variety of speech therapy and early intervention products.  


Speaker Disclosures:

Financial: Cari Ebert receives royalties from all product sales on her website. She also benefits financially from all sales of this self-study course.

Non-financial: Cari Ebert has a son with autism and apraxia and shares personal experiences in her seminars.

This course is approved for Individual use only. For groups
interested in purchasing this course please contact [email protected]

Refund Policy

  • If a student orders and completes at least 15%, but no more than 30%, of the course and is dissatisfied with the material, then a refund will be considered on a case by case basis. The student will be required to state their specific issues with the course as it relates to their profession for a refund to be considered.
  • If a student completes more than 30% of a course, there will be no refund.
  • If a student fails to complete the course within the 120 day time period, there will be no refund.
  • If a student purchases a course but never starts it within the 120 day time period for any reason, there will be no refund.
  • If a student completes a course but fails to print their certificate of completion, there will be no refund. A certificate of completion will be issued to the student after verifying that the course was completed.