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Inspire Hands-On Learning Through Loose Parts Play
Loose parts are any open-ended natural or man-made materials that can be moved and reconfigured in multiple ways. These materials can be combined to create...
A Head Taller: Let Children Play on Their Own Terms
“In play, a child always behaves beyond his average age, above his daily behavior in play it is as though he were a head taller...
For young children, play is about experiencing the world: about getting their hands on and into all the things that spark their curiosity. Kids want...
Learning with Nature: Finding Creative Inspiration
Learning with nature means not just learning in or about nature, but learning in an environment where the natural world becomes another teacher. Good teachers of course help their students learn facts and ways...
Learning with Nature: The Science of Mud
Play, especially messy play, is often under appreciated in children’s learning. This is particularly true when it comes to playing with mud. Adults focus on the...
Learning with Nature: Animals and Empathy
“Look a worm. We should make it a home!” If you’ve spent any time with young children, you’ve likely heard a phrase similar to this...
Everyday Materials Have the Capacity to be Playful
The world is a naturally playful place. Children don’t need to be in a playroom or at a park to explore playfully. In fact, they’re...
What Do the Grown-Ups Do During Child-Driven Play?
When we start to embrace child-driven, play-based learning, we have to ask: what are the adults supposed to do? If we are offering children open-ended materials and letting...
Space for Possibility: Using Open-Ended Materials in Child-Centered Play
Young children are always at play. Their minds and bodies are wired to explore their world, no matter the location or context. In and around...
