Reclaiming Childhood – Alexandra Chiorando
Movement, Connection and Creative Thinking in a Digital World
A Two Day Professional Learning Experience
22–23 May 2026
Hosted by WINS International School
Children today are growing up surrounded by bright screens, rapid images and fast paced digital content. Their brains are exposed to constant novelty, quick rewards and high levels of visual and auditory stimulation.
When experiences are fast and externally driven, it can become harder to tolerate slowness, waiting and sustained effort. In classrooms we may notice fragile attention, difficulty with impulse control, challenges with regulation and reduced stamina for writing. Executive functioning skills such as working memory, inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility can feel underdeveloped. Listening deeply and sustaining conversation can require more support. Imaginative play may not always sustain. These patterns reflect nervous system development.
Fast digital stimulation delivers quick spikes of dopamine through speed and novelty. Slower experiences such as shaping clay, engaging in role play, moving rhythmically, listening carefully or collaborating with peers release dopamine differently. They require persistence, effort and connection. The reward is steadier and more regulating.
This two day immersive training explores how movement, sensory development, relational connection and hands on creativity strengthen executive functioning, impulse control, communication and emotional regulation in practical, embodied ways.
But don’t just take our word for it!
Participants rave about Alexandra’s courses:
“Like eating a fabulous feast of Early Years experience and ideas with a funny family friend!”
“It’s a mind-blowing training course.”
“Alexandra is not just a wealth of knowledge, but she is also incredibly relatable, relevant, and an inspirational motivational speaker.”
One participant even said,
“The training session was absolutely amazing! Look no further than Alexa—she opened my eyes (wider). Her training had us feeling like mini-Einsteins in the making. Seriously, she’s got the magic touch when it comes to making learning fun. 10/10 would totally recommend!”
Course Outline:
Day 1
Sensory Processing, Communication and Regulation
We begin with the body and the relational environment.
You will explore:
- Vestibular, proprioceptive and interoceptive development
- How movement supports attention and executive functioning
- The foundations of impulse control
- Regulation as the basis for listening and communication
- Physical strength and stamina for writing
Speaking and Listening in Practice
Practical strategies to strengthen communication and oracy through:
- Structured gathering circles
- Sound buttons and tactile listening cues
- Call and response routines
- Rhythm, repetition and embodied language
- Turn taking and playful shared interaction
Gathering Time in Action
Experience and practise a structured circle that builds:
- Shared attention
- Listening and turn taking
- Group belonging
- Confidence in speaking
Doll Based Circle and Home Corner Play
Explore a relational doll based approach and how it extends into role play provision, strengthening:
- Empathy and perspective taking
- Narrative language and social understanding
- Emotional regulation through caregiving scripts
- Executive functioning through planning and role
- allocation
Movement for Regulation
Including:
- Sensory circuits
- Regulation games
- Core strength and bilateral coordination
- Practical classroom strategies to support impulse control
Day 2
Creativity, Hands On Experience and Executive Function
Day two focuses on the power of making.
When children shape, stitch, mould, weave, twist and construct, they are strengthening far more than fine motor skills. They are developing planning, sequencing, persistence, cognitive flexibility and sustained attention.
You will explore how creative, tactile experiences strengthen:
- Writing readiness through motor strength
- Working memory and planning
- Inhibitory control and task completion
- Flexible thinking and problem solving
- Confidence and resilience
Through immersive workshops using:
- Cool, malleable clay that can be shaped, scored, carved and transformed
- Real threads, wool and simple looms to weave colour and pattern
- Needles and fabric for purposeful, achievable early sewing
- Rich, textured materials that invite curiosity and deep concentration
We will explore how slow, process led creativity builds executive functioning and supports healthy dopamine regulation through focus, mastery and joy.
You will take part in collaborative creative challenges and design classroom invitations that encourage depth, imagination and sustained engagement.
We finish with our own open ended creative fashion experience, celebrating risk taking, expression and the joy of playful making.
You Will Leave With
- Practical movement routines to support executive functioning
- Sensory circuit frameworks
- Strategies to strengthen impulse control and regulation
- Speaking and listening tools
- Writing readiness foundations rooted in physical development
- Creative classroom invitations that build thinking skills
- Approaches to enrich home corner and role play
- Clear ways to build belonging and social confidence
- A renewed confidence in embodied, connected learning
Price for either day 1 or day 2 is £245.
£245 – Includes one day workshop training, lunch and refreshments.
£395 – Includes two days workshop training, lunch and refreshments.
£990 – Includes two days workshop training, lunch and refreshments, for 3-5 Teachers from your school.
Register your interest
Meet your Trainer: Alexandra Chiorando
Alexandra Chiorando is a qualified teacher with many years of experience across UK schools and private early years settings. She has worked in senior leadership and as a SENCO, supporting inclusive practice, curriculum development and high quality provision for children from birth to five. She has also worked as an Early Years Ofsted Inspector, giving her a deep understanding of inspection, standards and what strong practice truly looks like in action.
Alexandra now leads Marmalade Early Years Consultancy, working with schools and early years settings across the UK and internationally. She delivers training, consultancy and curriculum support, and is a regular speaker at national conferences including the Childcare and Education Expo and the TES SEND Show. She works in partnership with leading suppliers such as TTS Resources, has contributed as an advisor to BBC Bitesize projects, and provides training for local authorities and government groups. She also guest writes and presents for education magazines and companies.
Alongside her professional work, Alexandra is a mum of two and a school governor, bringing both strategic insight and lived experience to everything she does.
