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Simple Play Space Transformations: #2 Shelters
We can create engaging play spaces for young children using easily sourced and low cost (often free!) materials. It's easier than you think! Over the next few weeks I'll show you how, using examples...
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Simple Play Space Transformations: #4 Sound Makers
Welcome to Part 3 in our little series "Simple Play Space Transformations". If you missed the first two instalments, let me get you up to speed: 1. Adding Tree Stumps 2. Making SheltersToday we...
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Simple Play Space Transformations #4: Mud Pie Kitchens
Welcome to Part 4 of the series "Simple Play Space Transformations". You can catch up on the first three here: 1. Adding Tree Stumps 2. Making Shelters 3. Sound Makers Regular readers of Let the...
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Simple Play Space Transformations #5: A bale of Hay
Welcome to Part 5 of Simple Play Space Transformations. You can catch up on earlier instalments here: 1. Adding Tree Stumps 2. Making Shelters 3. Sound Makers 4. Mud Pie Kitchens Now this one is...
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Say Yes to Outdoor Play in Winter
Winter has arrived in Sydney, and with it Early Childhood Educators start to ask themselves the question: "Should we let the children play outside in the cold (wet, mud, rain)?" I can hear our friends...
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20 Playful Ideas for using Pallets at Preschool
The time has come to breath some life back into this blog.And what better way to kick start things than an tribute to my love affair with the humble pallet.As anyone who works with the budget in an...
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Mirror, mirror on the Wall
I've been enamoured of late with the idea of mirrors in the outdoor play space.Not only do young children find mirrors engaging, but mirrors also add light and character, and open up a smaller outdoor...
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2014: Let the children play
Last year I wrote a manifesto of sorts to see in the new year.This year, it is more of a wish for our children. What about you? Do you have any resolutions for the year ahead at your early childhood...
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Handy ideas for storing loose parts for play
A quick check revealed that I have written 47 posts on building with loose parts, and almost as many on loose parts play in general.It would seem that I love a loose part.And with good reason. Loose...
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Greening the Man-Made Outdoors, Part 1
Getting your Green OnIt is easy for those of us who work in early childhood settings with natural play spaces to advocate for children's right to play in natural surroundings. For many of us, the...
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Greening the Man Made Outdoors Part 2
Welcome to Part 2 of "Greening the Man-Made Outdoors". If you missed Part 1, you can get up to speed by clicking here.Let's get right down to it:1. Bring in the Potted PlantsPotted plants are always...
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What can you do with Bamboo?
Walking past the rather extensive (and cheap) bamboo collection at Bunnings recently, I started to think: What can we do with bamboo?Here are some ideas:1. Bamboo Guttering for water play: Source:...
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These are a few of my Favourite (found) Things
You won't find them in the toy catalogue, and they won't break the budget. These are a few of my favourite resources for early childhood settings:1. TyresYou can cover them:Credit: Penguin...
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These are a few of my favourite (found) things, Part 2
Welcome to Part 2 of "These are a few of my favourite (found) things." If you missed Part 1, you can catch up here.Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens....and wooden crates and milk crates....
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The wonderful world of RIE
I'm immersed in the world of Magda Gerber and RIE (Resources for Infant Educarers).It's a nice place to be. It gently challenges me to reflect, rethink and re imagine. It opens my eyes open to a new...
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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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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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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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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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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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