Play by Stages: Big Imaginations, Curious Minds
Date: Oct 9th, 2025
Time: 10-12pm CST/ 11-1pm EST
Description: This is a two-part training series that dives into the powerful role of play in early development—As children grow, so does the complexity and the purpose of their play. This session explores how play evolves from age three to six, highlighting key developmental milestones and the types of play that fuel emotional regulation, problem-solving, and social connection. Learn how to support imaginative, cooperative, and rule-based play. Create ideas that will coach caregivers in guiding children through this vital stage of discovery and independence—all while keeping play at the heart of growth.
*This training is catalogued with Train TN as a Health & Safety ECE licensure training in accordance with TN Department of Human Services Licensure Rules for Child Care Agencies.
Presenter(s): Elizabeth Ramsey, Ph.D., CFLE, Associate Professor, Human Ecology, Assistant Director, TN Tech Center for Addiction Prevention and Support
After years working in the field as a Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE), Family Mediator, Public School Educator, Women’s and Children’s Ministry Director, and Developmental Specialist, Dr. Ramsey is Associate Professor at Tennessee Technological University in Human Ecology and serves as the Assistant Director of TN CAPS. Dr. Ramsey’s areas of research include Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS); the training and education of foster parents; substance misuse/ abuse prevention and support in emerging adult populations; social health education in public school systems; implementation of Trauma Informed Care in helping professions; the mitigation and prevention of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)– abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction; and building resilience in children and families who have experienced ACEs and/or trauma.