Empowering Porac’s Educators: MCA Facilitates Play-Based Learning Workshop for 50 Child Development Workers

PORAC, PAMPANGA — March 13, 2026, Miriam College Alivera (MCA) Department of Early Childhood Education, in partnership with the Office of Acting Mayor Jen Capil, was tapped to train child development workers on Developmentally Appropriate Practice and Play-Based Learning, held at the Command Center Jalung.

The learning session was facilitated by Ms. April Macan, Department Chairperson of the Early Childhood Education Program at MCA and took a deep dive into the core principles of Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP), as well as the stages and benefits of play in child development centers.

To ensure the training provided fresh and actionable insights, the curriculum was designed to build upon the participants’ existing Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) foundations. Rather than revisiting basic concepts, Ms. Macan guided the group through play-based teaching-learning principles and practical classroom strategies.

A central highlight of the afternoon was the specific focus on play-based learning. Participants explored how to design classroom environments and activities that respect the developmental stages of young learners, effectively using play as a primary vehicle for children’s holistic development.

This partnership underscores the vital link between academic institutions and local government in fostering community development. By tapping into the specialized expertise of MCA’s faculty, the Acting Mayor’s office continues to provide Porac’s educators with tools that directly benefit the municipality’s youngest citizens.

“At Miriam College Alviera, we believe that education is most meaningful when it serves the community, and we are honored to support initiatives that strengthen early childhood development in Porac,” Dr. Mildred Sevilla, Dean of MCA noted, emphasizing that the goal was to provide training that is both relevant and immediately applicable to local classrooms.

As Porac continues to prioritize educational excellence, this successful training serves as a testament to what can be achieved through shared expertise and a common goal of empowering the teaching community.