What if the interest I bring seems too narrow to plan a whole week from?

Almost any genuine interest can be stretched across a week once you break it into different developmental angles, such as counting, sorting, movement or storytelling. We work through this stretching process together during the session using your own example.

Do I need to bring an observation with me?

It helps to come with a recent observed interest in mind, even something small, as the whole session builds directly from a real example rather than a hypothetical one. If you're not sure what counts, a few examples are shared at the start to help you choose.

What materials are needed for the hands-on activity?

For the in-person session, materials for building one activity from your plan are provided as part of the workshop. For the online version, a simple list is sent in advance, and materials are chosen to be adaptable to whatever specific interest you bring.

Is this only useful in a formal childcare setting?

No, the same observation-to-planning process works just as well for parents planning informal activities at home, and many of the examples used apply equally to both contexts.

What happens if the child loses interest partway through the week?

This is common and the session covers how to build in enough flexibility to shift the plan without starting over completely. You'll leave with a simple approach for adjusting rather than abandoning a plan mid-week.

Hands-on make & take

Planning a Week From One Observed Interest

One genuine observed interest, whether it's dinosaurs, diggers or a favourite storybook, can become the seed for a full week of varied, purposeful activities. This session walks through the observation-to-planning process step by step, and you'll leave having actually planned a week around a real interest, along with one activity built and ready to use. It's a practical, repeatable planning skill rather than a one-off idea.

Led by Amy Byrne — BA (Hons) Level 8 in Early Childhood Education and Care, currently studying a Level 9 postgraduate in play therapy, Children First trained and a Mandated Person. One hour, with a take-home booklet and a dated certificate of attendance.

See dates & book Request this as a private session

Who this is for

For early years educators and childminders planning weekly activities, and for parents who want to follow their child's interests more intentionally.

What we cover in the hour

How to turn a brief observation into a usable planning starting point.
Spreading one interest across different developmental areas through the week.
Balancing adult-led activities with child-led exploration of the same theme.
Simple documentation to show learning linked to the interest.
Adjusting the plan mid-week if the child's interest shifts.
Building a repeatable process you can use with any future interest.

What you'll leave with

A completed one-week activity plan built from a real observed interest.
One activity from that plan made and ready to use.
A reusable planning template for future interests.
A simple documentation format linking activities to learning.
Confidence to plan quickly from observation rather than starting from scratch each week.

Inside the booklet

The booklet includes a blank weekly planning template, documentation prompts, and examples across several common childhood interests.

This session is built around the Aistear principle that children's interests should guide curriculum, and reflects Síolta Standard 7 (Curriculum) through purposeful, planned play.

How it can be delivered

Delivery formats and prices for Planning a Week From One Observed Interest
Format	Price
Public ticket — live onlineOne hour, small group, booklet emailed	€20 per person
Public ticket — in personOne hour in a venue near you, booklet in hand	€35 per person
Private 1:1 with Amy30 minutes €25 · full hour €50 (3 for €135)	from €25
Private group — onlineParent evening or staff session, minimum 5	€35 per person
Private group — in personYour setting or venue, minimum 6	€45 per person

No VAT and no booking fees. An itemised receipt is emailed instantly, and invoices are available before you book. Running this across a whole setting? Setting packages start at €399.

Common questions

What if the interest I bring seems too narrow to plan a whole week from?: Almost any genuine interest can be stretched across a week once you break it into different developmental angles, such as counting, sorting, movement or storytelling. We work through this stretching process together during the session using your own example.
Do I need to bring an observation with me?: It helps to come with a recent observed interest in mind, even something small, as the whole session builds directly from a real example rather than a hypothetical one. If you're not sure what counts, a few examples are shared at the start to help you choose.
What materials are needed for the hands-on activity?: For the in-person session, materials for building one activity from your plan are provided as part of the workshop. For the online version, a simple list is sent in advance, and materials are chosen to be adaptable to whatever specific interest you bring.
Is this only useful in a formal childcare setting?: No, the same observation-to-planning process works just as well for parents planning informal activities at home, and many of the examples used apply equally to both contexts.
What happens if the child loses interest partway through the week?: This is common and the session covers how to build in enough flexibility to shift the plan without starting over completely. You'll leave with a simple approach for adjusting rather than abandoning a plan mid-week.

Related workshops

More in this theme: Curriculum planning · All workshop themes · Upcoming dates

Available live online across Ireland, and in person in Dublin, Kildare, Meath, Wicklow, Louth, Cork and other counties.

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