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Let the Babies Play
There's a new kid on the block. Or baby, to be precise.Let the Children Play has branched off to form Let the Babies Play, a Facebook page with a mission to:Shine the light on infants and toddlers as...
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Unexpected loose parts for play
I was out walking today with the very lovely Juliet Robertson from Creative Star Learning who is in town sharing her passion and expertise with educators around Australia.We started talking loose...
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Why I love what I do
Long time readers of Let the Children Play will be familiar with the big themes in my professional life: Progressive education, loose parts for play, outdoor play - preferably in natural settings,...
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Passive toys make active learners
Long time readers of this blog will know that I have long been a fan of the theory of loose parts. My experience at a preschool rich in loose parts showed me that children's play is enriched in ways...
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Be the Spark that Ignites the Flame
Emmi Pikler ignited a flame that changed the lives of the young children at Loczy, a home for children in Budapest, and continues to inspire parents and educators to this day. Light years ahead of...
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Educators: Protectors of children's space
In my job I make babies cry. I certainly don't mean to. I visit different centres, and sometimes this means entering the spaces of infants and young toddlers. When I walk into a nursery, I sense a...
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A Place for Joy
We need to give each other the space to grow, to be ourselves, to exercise our diversity. We need to give each other space so that we may both give and receive such beautiful things as ideas, openness,...
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Why I Advocate for Play in Early Childhood Services
I'm an advocate for play in early childhood settings. We know that ‘... play shapes the architecture of the brain in unique ways; it links social, creative and cognitive skills’ (Bartlett, 2010)Play...
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Fly the Play Flag
And never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined that we would have to defend children’s right to play. Nancy Carlsson-Paige You and me both Nancy Carlsson-Paige. And yet with every passing year...
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Art - process not product
Always one to guarantee a robust discussion amongst early childhood educators, that thorny old issue of art versus product driven craft has been buzzing around the interwebs again.Let's ask one of the...
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Nothing is more Important than the Relationship
Relationships in toddler and infant early childhood settings matter.More than matter. Relationships are crucial for children's well-being and learning, not just now but in the future. So why when I...
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My pick of Australian Early Childhood Sites
It seems fitting on Australia day to celebrate the Australian Early Childhood Educators who celebrate play.I encourage you to add them to your "go to" list of blogs and Facebook pages.Together, we are...
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I'm not just cute
"See babies as people in their own right, naturally deserving of our respect. See babies not as helpless beings but as active, phenomenal learners with an innate urge to explore their world and the...
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The children have voted. Natural play spaces rule!
"It is unfortunate that children can't design their outdoor play environments. Research on children's preferences shows that if children had the design skills to do so, their creations would be...
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Let the children play outside!
Did you know that children are spending less time outdoors in nature today than at any other time in history? We are now seeing the impact this development is having in children's health, wellbeing...
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Here's to a playful 2016
Thank you to everyone who joined me on the Let the Children Play Facebook page in 2015. I look forward to sharing a playful 2016 with you all.Tell me, what are your goals for 2016? What would you...
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My love affair with loose parts
Today I'm posting over at the wonderful Play Empowers blog about my love affair with loose parts.Kids really get to know the environment if they can dig it, beat it, swat it, lift it, push it, join it,...
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let's slow down: reflections on RIE
For two special weeks last year, I soaked up all things infant, toddler and RIE at a RIE foundations course, masterfully guided by the inspiring Polly Elam. As my lovely colleague and I excitedly...
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