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Learning through Play

Playtime for Your Littles-
Babies, Preschooler & Toddler

Welcome to our Early Learning Page. Check out the video below to see how this curriculum works and get an overview of what is included in each theme. This curriculum is set up to start a new theme each week, but feel free to make each theme longer or shorter to fit the needs of your children! If there are more than 4 weeks in any given month, you can supplement one of the Bonus themes for the extra week. We hope you enjoy this curriculum and have fun learning with your little ones!

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Jan – Feb – Mar – Apr – May – Jun – Jul – Aug – Sep – Oct – Nov – Dec – Bonus


What Is Play?

Learn Why Kids That Play Well Will Thrive 

Play is as essential to kids as parent bonding and vitamin D. Kids not only want to play, they need to play to better understand the world. And this need drives parents to sports practices and afterschool programs in search of appropriate forums for play, and to toy stores in search of appropriate tools. Humans instinctively understand the need for play and cater to it. But ask someone, anyone, what play is and they’re unlikely to be able to define it. Ask an expert in childhood development for a clinical definition, and they’ll likely recite something disconcertingly broad and heavy to hold.

A common exchange might go something like this:

What is play?

“Play is innate.”

But what is it?

“It’s an aspect of biological, psychological, and social development.”

So why do they do it?

“Kids play to make sense of their world and practice things they have learned and observed, practice new skills, interact with others, and to communicate.”

The initially broad answers above come courtesy of child behavior expert Stacy Stefaniak Luther, Psy.D., a counselor and play therapist. And they are actually pretty good answers; they just require unpacking. Play defies a simple, straightforward definition because it’s mutable and mutating. Infant play transforms into toddler play and so-on across a series of blurry “stages” before taking on social or professional or even gendered baggage. And it looks entirely different from person to person.

One thing we know for sure — play is essential to childhood.

Related video: Toys children play with have 'profound effect on their success in adult life' (Dailymotion)

Time spent playing is correlated with emotional stability, better grades, more sleep, improved social skills, advanced motor function, boosted focus, diminished stress, decreased anger, increased creativity, and just plain happiness. Parents should want kids to play. A lot. But before they can start encouraging play behaviors, they need to understand what they are. What does play look like? It starts with eye contact — we’re talking weeks out of the womb — and catalyzes quickly from there.

Playing With Baby

Gravity is our first playmate. Take this classic high chair scene: A kid picks up a utensil or sippy cup, and drops it on the floor. Over and over, they are handed the object, dangle it over the edge, and let ‘er drop — all while beaming, laughing, and watching with clear fascination. Not only are they getting mom or dad to jump and react, they’re making a loud bang, and they’re watching an object completely disappear.

“If this repetitive throwing feels like a game, it’s because it is,” says KinderCare Learning Center Chief Academic Officer Elanna S. Yalow, Ph.D. “But it’s also exploring physics, cause and effect, and testing the responsiveness of a caregiver. It displays the innate scientific thought that babies have.”

While the high chair drop is one of the first recognizable forms of play-learning and offers the clear through-line that learning is a consistent element of play. Once babies begin to taste, feel, hear and smell as well as see, they’ll do things considered play. Infants’ recognition of their own random movements are the first observable signs of play, says Stefaniak Luther, but the stage is set even before this, when eye contact and back and forth interactions begin between parent and infant shortly after birth.

“These interactions set the base for building play skills,” says Stefaniak Luther. At five months, play is in full swing. Infants begin to learn the cause and effect of exploring tools, such as rattles and fabric books, with their hands and mouth. Just about everything that isn’t wailing or a bowel movement is a part of play at this point in life.

Babies and adults play in much the same way. When playing a card game or, say, bowling, adults explore cause and effect, tweaking the experiment, and aiming to perfect the goal — by playing the right cards or sending the ball into a just-right spin down the lane. The main difference between adult and baby play is that of consequences. If the adult plays poorly, they lose the game. If the kid fails to play, their very social and cognitive development is at stake.

What Is Play? Science Explains Why Kids That Play Well Thrive

What Is Play? Science Explains Why Kids That Play Well Thrive

How Play Happens

“The spontaneity of play is not just a thing, it’s the thing,” says Michael Alcée, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist in Tarrytown, New York.

“Spontaneity” can be described as a response to an impulse. It’s crucial to play because play starts when we’re more connected to our imaginative right-brained side, Alcée explains. That’s when we’re closer to the magic of wonder, curiosity, and spontaneity, or what Alcée calls the “building blocks of the later, more sophisticated forms of creativity that artists, scientists, and innovators bring to the table.”

Researchers who have studied how kids determine whether something is fun debate over whether “construction” is a type of play. Building something, for some experts, has an end goal so is not purposeless enough to be considered play. But when a kid inevitably goes off-script with their LEGO set, there’s broad consensus play kicks in again.

The need for spontaneity also defines a particular environment that is needed to foster play. “Play is a paradox,” Alcée says. “Kids need to feel free enough to play but also safe enough in their environment to engage in it and reap play’s developmental benefits.” In other words, parents need less to set the stage than to get out of the way and let the fun begin.

While this is natural enough for an infant or toddler, a school-age kid might have more trouble finding such an environment. This in no small part parrots the reasoning for the birth of the Montessori method of education, “based on self-directed activity, hands-on learning and collaborative play.” This line, ripped from the About Page of a Montessori school in the Pacific Northwest, could have just as easily come from a play researcher. The idea is much the same: set the stage for play and get out of the way.

Pretending and Make Believe

The two-year-old in a fireman’s hat pushing their toy shopping cart around the house making a “wee-oh, wee-oh!” noise; the kid (and the age range is wide for this one), spreading their arms like wings and flying like a plane, bird, or superhero; the group of children sitting around action figures making up a story about their day. These are all examples of pretend play, which typically develops between 18 to 24 months. At first, children begin to use symbolic thinking — like using a hairbrush as a microphone — and by age 3 or 4, they start engaging in pretend play that is elaborate and collaborative. From there, the stories and symbols build on each other and the world gets more and more complicated. For proof, go ask a 10-year-old about their personal superhero mythology. Be sure to set aside a few hours.

Psychologist Lev Vygotsky, a 20th century “founding father” of the study of play alongside Jean Piaget, considered pretend play to be a leading factor in child development, fostering creativity and creative problem-solving. Not all researchers agree with that, but some studies indicate a link between pretending behaviors and later cognitive development and abilities, including language and reading skills. In a 2010 study, at-risk preschoolers who received vocabulary tutoring performed better on a vocabulary test when the tutoring was combined with a play program. Although it sounds counterintuitive, pretend play actually helped kids better separate fantasy from reality, a 1977 study found.

“In pretend play, reinforcement comes from ongoing pleasure with peers as the game progresses,” says Stefaniak Luther. “The interaction itself promotes prosocial skills because the peer(s) will want to continue to play and will also pull away or give feedback if they are not enjoying the interaction for any reason. Pulling away from play serves as an unspoken notice that the interaction was not positive and provides the opportunity to learn and adapt behavior in future interactions.” In other words, it’s actually a learning opportunity when your kid announces they’re taking the ball and going home.

What Is Play? Science Explains Why Kids That Play Well Thrive

The Types of Play

When kids play, they don’t just sit around telling stories to each other. By the time they’re toddlers, play, to some extent, includes imagination, physicality, and objects.

Physical play, the most “endangered” type of play according to the Minnesota Children’s Museum Dr. Rachel E. White, is one of the least researched forms. Object play is the playful manipulation of objects. It can be as simple as throwing a rock or as complex as putting together the 10,000-piece LEGO Harry Potter Hogwarts’ School set. Both of these forms of play start young. The aforementioned random movements of a weeks-old baby count to many as the start of physical play. Researchers agree that object play usually begins around 1 (one 1993 study concluded that babies around 1-year-old are capable of trying to duplicate the noise a horn or castanet makes when presented with a similar-looking object). Many think it starts earlier.

Creative play comes later when kids have a grasp on open-ended materials and can practice representational play, such as a using a banana as a telephone, Yalow says. Open-ended materials also allow kids to use their imaginations and think symbolically, as well as figure out multiple uses for an object, such as a box that’s an airplane one day and a train the next.

Add socialization — another crucial piece of the play puzzle — and you get something all the more complex. A toddler soccer game is more than just kids engaging in a game with parameters set by adults. As any parent who has watched their toddler “play soccer” knows, the game is practicing physical coordination, self-regulation of emotions (i.e., calming down once the game ends), paying attention and taking direction, exploring the physics of a ball and field, and interacting with others. When conflict arises during play — and this goes for all social play — children learn to negotiate, how to advocate for themselves and how to deal with frustration. In other words, kids’ soccer is hardly about the parent-imposed rules of the game. Play, on the kids’ terms, finds a way.

Game Theory

The reason children often struggle to play organized sports in the same manner as adults has to do with the type of play that is innate to childhood and the type of play that is not. From a game theory perspective, soccer is a closed game. Each contest is confined by lines, time, rules and the idea that someone can win. Pretty much all sports operate this way, but closed games are unusual for children.

Children normally play more open games, which mutate as they proceed. Unlike soccer, a game of make-believe is likely to end with a different structure than it started with. A princess becomes an astronaut and a moat becomes the surface of the moon. Rules are discarded and willfully misinterpreted. The goal of the game becomes the continuation of the game on more or less equal terms by each player. The game is, in short, not only the game, but the game of constantly deciding what the game could be. (Consider Calvinball the best possible example of this phenomenon.)

Game theory considers collective and individual decision-making and there’s a reason why. Games represent a specific type of social play that requires such decision-making and actually models it. Games teach us how to make decisions and open games and closed games teach children how to make different types of decisions in different scenarios. That said, exposure to closed games in the absence of open games (an issue in the age of the over-scheduled kid) might represent a risk. Life is more like an open game.

Video games offer a specific conundrum for play experts. These worlds can give the impression of being open given the extent of their world, but are essentially closed, driven by rules and a winner-take-all model. Such a mentality works well if you play games for a living, but represents a flawed model for those who do not. Open play has, at least from a rational and strategic perspective, far more to teach us about how to be in the world.

Alcée looks at it from another, psychological perspective. “If they’re primarily used as a distraction and retreat from reality, then they are not as creative and psychologically valuable,” he says. “But video gaming has definite pluses in terms of problem-solving, deep engagement with narrative and character, creativity, and even nowadays, a large social component.”

What Is Play? Science Explains Why Kids That Play Well Thrive

The Importance of Play

Compelling evidence on the import of play is found in research on kids who don’t have as many opportunities to play. Dr. Doris Bergen from the University of Miami notes in her study, The Role of Pretend Play in Children’s Cognitive Development, that a long-term lack of opportunity for play had a negative effect on the development of literacy, math and science skills.

When there’s too much unmediated reality, or trauma, coming into the child’s world, they temporarily shut down, and this shunts the natural capacity for play. “Spontaneous exploration, curiosity and integration get sidelined and are instead replaced with hard vigilance, an overtaxed survival instinct that doesn’t allow the child enough freedom and relaxation to be playful,” Alcée says. “In addition, the child loses the capacity to bring words or symbols to what their experience is, and so it goes offline as if it really isn’t there.”

The lack of play has consequences. Bergen notes that when imaginative play especially is put on hold, we can expect perspective-taking, abstract thought, problem-solving, language development, and academic skills all to be retarded. A recent study, published in the journal PLoS One, found social play not only enhances children’s joy in learning and teachers’ enjoyment of teaching, it reduces bullying and peer ostracism. Quality play for kids takes a crucial role in a wide variety of cognitive and social development.

Fortunately, there’s a solve for kids whose play has been thwarted by trauma or outside influences: More play. Although their capacity for it is damaged by trauma, play is an important tool to help traumatized kids heal. “Play can be particularly important for children who have been exposed to toxic stress,” Yalow says. “Development of executive function skills can help build resilience, and play can be used to develop these essential life skills.”

For others, play reads as something like a cure-all for kids. “Play captures and captivates, stimulating synaptic formation and challenging cognition,” says Dr. Jack Maypole, associate professor of pediatrics at Boston University School of Medicine, director of the Comprehensive Care Program at Boston Medical Center. “It helps little brains that are hungry for new experiences and relationships learn to pay attention and focus. Joy and laughter cement the process together.”

If there is one takeaway from the science of play it would likely be that, as Maypole puts it, “fun is motivation.” Now there’s a rule to parent by.

4 Ways To Foster Play

Parents can help children get the most out of play and use it to strengthen the parent-child bond. But you don’t want to help too much. “Guiding play can be fine, but one needs to be careful to give enough room for the unknown to take shape,” Alcée says. Here’s what that means on a practical level.

  • Embrace your kid’s story. Parents should try to stay within the metaphor, characters or form children initiate. This means it’s essential to be patient and go with the flow in children’s games.

  • Let the block tower fall. “As your children learn to practice and try again, they will develop critical-thinking skills, initiative and creativity,” says Lee Scott, chair of the educational advisory board for The Goddard School, a national early childhood education franchise.

  • Don’t force socialization. When children engage in “parallel play,” they play in the same area and perhaps with similar toys but are not doing the same thing, sharing or interacting with another child. This is fine.

  • Don’t look for meaning. “Sometimes the best thing a parent can do is set aside their own notions of what should happen during play and simply let their child lead the way,” Yalow says.

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COORDINATION SKILLSDEVELOPING LARGE MUSCLE SKILLS
WINTER FINGER PLAYS
DEVELOPING SMALL MUSCLE SKILLS
HOPPING AND JUMPING INTO SPRING
BEAN BAG GAMES
SUMMER COORDINATION SKILLS
BALANCING SKILLS
OUTDOOR OLYMPICS
THROWING GAMES
VALENTINE COORDINATION GAMES 

THINKING SKILLS
PROBLEM SOLVING WITH BLOCKS
CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING
THINKING SKILLS
WHAT COULD IT BE?
SORTING SKILLS

CUTTING SKILLS
BEGINING CUTTING
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WINTER WORDS
WORD GAMES

SCIENCE SKILLS
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SEWING FUN
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SOCIAL SKILLS
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BEING THANKFUL
THE GIFT OF GIVING
THE GIFT OF GIVING TO ANIMALS
HALLOWEEN HUMOR
MODELING SOCIAL SKILLS

EMOTIONAL SKILLS
FEELINGS

LANGUAGE SKILLS
HELP ME RHYMES

Preschool Skills

COORDINATION SKILLSDEVELOPING LARGE MUSCLE SKILLS
WINTER FINGER PLAYS
DEVELOPING SMALL MUSCLE SKILLS
HOPPING AND JUMPING INTO SPRING
BEAN BAG GAMES
SUMMER COORDINATION SKILLS
BALANCING SKILLS
OUTDOOR OLYMPICS
THROWING GAMES
VALENTINE COORDINATION GAMES 

THINKING SKILLS
PROBLEM SOLVING WITH BLOCKS
CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING
THINKING SKILLS
WHAT COULD IT BE?
SORTING SKILLS

CUTTING SKILLS
BEGINING CUTTING CRAFT PROJECTS
SPRING CUTTING IDEAS
BEGINNING CUTTING SKILLS
CUTTING HEARTS AND SNOWFLAKES

PRE-READING SKILLS
MAKING COLOR BOOKLETS
RHYME PUZZLES
VALENTINE'S DAY JOKES
SPRING LANGUAGE SKILLS
HOLIDAY STORY SKILLS
SUMMER WORD GAMES
POSITION WORD GAMES
LEPRECHAUN WORD GAMES
TIPS FOR TEACHING LETTERS
ALPHABET HEARTS
FINGERPLAY FUN
LETTER SKILLS
PRE-READING BOOKS
PRE-READING RHYMING SKILLS
WINTER WORDS
WORD GAMES

SCIENCE SKILLS
OBSERVATION SKILLS

LISTENING SKILLS
LISTENING GAMES
 
WRITING SKILLS
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BEGINNING WRITING FUN
SUMMER WRITING FUN
 
SEWING SKILLSSEWING FUN
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CONCEPT GAMES
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SOCIAL SKILLS
THANKSGIVING JOKES
BEING THANKFUL
THE GIFT OF GIVING
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PBS KIDS
Self-Paced Learning

PBS KIDS offers this FREE special collection of flexible self-paced learning to help inspire PreK-2 teachers and provide support for the classroom. Choose from a variety of learning topics designed to spark new ideas and expand your skill set for engaging children and families with educational media. You may also be able to earn between one to three credit hours.

Explore our Learning Paths, a series of short microlearning modules (15-minute, skill-based experiences in a range of interactive formats) that can lead to a certificate.

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PEEP Science Teaching Strategies for Center-Based Preschool Educators

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Supporting Play with Technology and Media

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K-2 Science Tips: Energy & Motion

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K-2 Science Tips: Animal Adaptations

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PEEP Estrategias de enseñanza de ciencias para educadores de cuidado infantil familia

La capacitación es parte de un conjunto de recursos educativos…

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PEEP Science Teaching Strategies for Family Child Care Educators

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Thinking and Making with Media in PreK-2 Classrooms

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16 play-based activities

FOR 1 & 2 YEAR OLDS

“WHAT AM I GOING TO DO ALL DAY?”

“HOW CAN I TEACH MY TODDLER?”

“I NEED SOME WAYS TO KEEP THEM BUSY.”

Yes, I want to know!

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Sensory

Kids learn better when all senses are engaged. These activities will stimulate and excite little ones!

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Art doesn’t have to be messy. Here are some mess-free options (and some messy ones as well! )

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Get outside! Some simple ways to involve nature and found items into learning and play.

EACH OF THESE ACTIVITIES ARE PERFECT FOR 1 AND 2 YEAR OLDS.

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Why is Play the Best Way to Learn?

Children recognize their abilities, gain self worth, and feel good about themselves.

Play is fun! Children stay engaged longer and become confident and motivated learners.

Play helps children develop skills that will stay with them beyond the early learning environment.

I want simple ways to play with my child!

HOW DO INTEREST-BASED LEARNING ACTIVITIES SUPPORT LEARNING?

Children are naturally curious and passionate about exploring their interests.

Those qualities create a dynamic entry point into a highly effective educational strategy called interest-based learning (IBL). It channels their eagerness to learn about things they like into a guided cycle of asking questions and finding answers. The “guided” part is critical. IBL is a process for expanding inquiry and discovery, not just a way to learn how to do hobbies better. 


IBL changes the student’s role in the educational process by giving them a voice in setting the academic agenda. IBL motivates them to become active learners. By provoking their curiosity and encouraging them to ask questions, IBL takes advantage of how kids’ brains are wired to connect the things, they know with new things. 


It also changes the role of Learning Coaches, parents, and teachers. Understanding their students’ interests— whether by observation or conversation—is the foundation of the model. It’s also the key to effective mentoring and inspiring students to stay focused on their learning. 


The impact of learning arranged around these activities and pursuits can be dramatic. 


ASCD an online education community, quoted a high-schooler whose student-centric curriculum led to success she could not have imagined. Prior to her IBL experience, Beatrice said she’d felt like teachers have always tried to teach her what to think. 

“This is the first time I feel like I’ve been taught how to think and really had to think for myself; I never thought I would have been able to pull this project off on my own.”  The extra measure of autonomy motivated Beatrice to become a self-learner by exploring her interests, while her educators guided her through the experience. 

Students invest heavily in their academic achievement and personal growth when they connect their interests with their studies and the real world. However, traditional schools typically teach a “one-size-fits-all” curriculum that is not conducive to the IBL strategy. 

Tuition-free, state-certified online learning, on the other hand, is an ideal alternative for families who want to take advantage of IBL benefits. 

A parent learning how to help their student through interest-based learning.

What Does Research Say About Interest-Based Learning?

The student-centric approach motivates children to draw on many real-world sources to create a cycle of learning. Instead of proceeding on a fixed line—learn one thing, store it, then go on to the next— students go from mastering one concept to becoming curious about what comes next.  

Learning based on children’s interests, then, is limited only by the child’s ability to ask questions—with the guidance of a Learning Coach or teacher— and research bears out the positive impact of the IBL model. 

  • David Yeager, a respected educational researcher, found strong links between persistence in finding answers and interest-based learning activities. Even when schoolwork became challenging, students who connected what they were learning with their interests were more likely to stick with the problem until they’d worked their way through it successfully. 

    “Conversely, school structures and curriculum that seem outmoded, or actively opposed to student input, can push students, especially the most marginalized, to disengage or even drop out of school entirely.” 

  • Research published in the journal Autism asked parents of preschoolers to identify their children’s interests and community activities. Students were separated into two groups based on their level of interest in the identified activities. Parents then implemented a four-month-long intervention based on the interests of their children with autism and found: 

    “The high interest-based group made considerably more developmental progress compared to the low interest-based group.” 

  • The National Quality Standard Professional Learning Program warns that coaches, parents, and teachers should not surrender the learning experience to students. Their role as mentor and facilitator is critical to guiding children effectively. 

    “It can help if we think about using children’s interests rather than just following them. Our focus should be on where an idea leads, rather than its source.”    

Interest-based learning is a model for lifelong learning. Children whose interests are embedded in their education are more likely to stay engaged through school and college and into whatever follows. Because learning itself becomes an interest, they become self-motivated to build on their knowledge. 

A student pursuing interest-based learning activities.

What Are the Best Ways to Use Homeschool Topics of Interest?

The flexibility of online education makes it an ideal alternative to traditional, in-person education and the “stand and deliver, sage on a stage” style of teaching. Having a voice in setting their school day schedule allows them to blend their interests into the learning.  

Connections Academy® schools believe that no two students learn alike, which is why it’s a priority for families to make decisions around courses and scheduling to meet a student’s needs and embrace each student’s unique qualities and dreams. 

For instance, online schools encourage learning outside the box. Literally. Is your student interested in animals?  Interest-based learning activities might include taking your student to the zoo to connect their biology lessons with future patients.   

In addition to a dedicated learning area for online schoolwork, create a Maker Space. Kids like to see how things work. And when they’re coached to make things that are connected to what they are learning, they nurture their natural creativity, practice critical-thinking skills, challenge their imaginations, and come up with effective solutions to real-world problems. 

If your teen is interested in community service or volunteering, the scheduling flexibility of remote learning lets them shape their school day to accommodate volunteer activities, which include virtual opportunities to give back. And, flexible scheduling enables parents and students to build time for those activities into the learning day. 

Interest-based learning is all about identifying students’ interests, stoking their curiosity to know more about them, and guiding them to satisfy that curiosity. When students start asking questions, regions of their brains associated with reward, memory, and motivation actually “fire up” with activity. In other words, curiosity can be a great motivator that makes the brain sincerely want to learn.  

Discover how Connections Academy can help you create a safe, interest-based learning environment for your elementary student, middle- or high-schooler, request the free eGuide, visit the Resource Hub or join an online information session. 

Intro to Play-Based Learning: What is it, why is it important, how to do it

play based learning intro

You may have heard before that play is the work of children. But what does that mean? How can play possibly align with curriculum, meet standards, and help our students learn? The truth is: children learn best through play – it takes fewer repetitions to fully learn a new concept when it is learned through play and exploration. No wonder so many early childhood educators are realigning their focus to Play-Based Learning.

Play isn’t a break from learning. Quite the contrary, it’s a time where your little learners are developing skills that can’t be taught with worksheets. If you have been like Jack, all work and no play, and need some help with play-based learning, you’re in the right place!

play-based learning for prek

Play-Based Learning – What Is It?

Play-based learning means that children are engaging in materials that are interesting to them, allowed to make choices in their environment, and using their own imagination to construct meaning with materials.

With play-based learning, the teacher still uses standards, but sets up an environment in which children have options for learning. Materials are at the child’s eye level, organized simply for easy clean up, and facilitate interactions. The child’s interest and engagement direct the learning.

play-based learning ece

Why Is Play-Based Learning Important?

We are our students’ first exposure to a school setting. We have a responsibility to create safety and enjoyment in the classroom, to set up a love of learning that will last far beyond early childhood. Play-based learning is step one.

When children are engaged in play, they are constructing meaning from their world. They are practicing new skills in a way that is meaningful to them, and they have the opportunity to experiment with different outcomes. For example, a child might notice, “I put the big block on top and my tower fell down. What if I put it on bottom this time?” That same child could sit through whole lesson on structurally sound towers and never make that connection – but through play (experiment and failure), she is able to come to the conclusion herself.

intro play based learning preschool

But How Do I Do It?

The first step of play-based learning is to use the classroom as the third teacher. (Parents are the first teacher; you are the second teacher.) Take a look at your room – is it set up for children to access materials or are your shelves storage for you? Can children move around freely and safely? It is crucial that the students feel some ownership of the space to encourage exploration.

Next, be ready to model play. In the block example above, perhaps the student hasn’t figured out why her tower is toppling. Then a teacher can sit down and build her own tower, putting the bigger block on top and letting the tower fall. The teacher models thinking aloud, “My tower fell down when I put this block on top. This block is big and heavy. I wonder if it’s too heavy for the top? Maybe I could put it on the bottom?” This modeling gives students a guideline for their own thinking about the problem. The teacher does not tell the child what to do or how to solve the problem. The teacher shows the thinking about the problem. The child may or may not “catch it” at first but will begin to think about possibilities on her own.

Finally, set your success criteria. Are you working on one-to-one correspondence? What different play opportunities would encourage that thinking? Maybe the goal for the week is “I can set the table in the home-living center with one plate, one fork, and one spoon for every chair.” Share the goal with the students, and let them practice on their own. What if they don’t? Relax. Notice it when it happens: “You put one plate for each chair. Four plates, four chairs.” But let the children play and build that understanding as they grow.

Play-based learning will change the whole atmosphere of your classroom – your students will be more engaged, they will learn crucial social-emotional skills, and you will feel the joy of helping students explore and learn in a way that is most meaningful for them!

Contributed by Emily Millspaugh

What are your questions about play-based learning? Let us know in the comments below.

Check out some of my favorite tools for preschool play for different centers and types of learning.

Discover ideas for setting up different learning centers in your classroom.

More Teaching Tips

Hopeful Art  Inquiries and
STEAM Play



All “Hopeful Art” is really just an adventure with creative supplies (ARTventure) with more of an experiment in how to use them. When art buddies (parents, teachers. care takers) look at it that way, they can set out supplies (like an invitation to create or a provocation) and simply hope it becomes art. Simply set out a fun surface for them to create on, fascinating tools to create with, and lastly some super interesting supplies to test out in the trial and error phase.

Kids seemed to enjoy the open ended challenge and to wonder what they can create, experiment with the selected items, and explore more ways to use them. Adapt and Repeat…

I love this method because it is basically handled like a science experiment. So if they don’t like their project, adapt and repeat or just claim that the combination of tools or mediums just didn’t work.

Just like in a science project. If their confidence seems down, finish with something that you know they are able to do and will enjoy doing it. Notice what they like to do or don’t like to do, what they can do independently, and what tools are difficult for them to use. Every child comes to the art table with a different skill set.

And with that skill set they will use the supplies in a totally unique fashion. Whether or not they like the end product is not important. It’s whether they enjoyed or learned from the process that they chose to use.

Art Processes and Art Skills to Demonstrate and Explore

  • Using crayons or markers
    Mark making for littles
    Using stencils or silhouettes
    Using a paint brush in different ways
    Using a different surfaces
    Using stamps of all kinds
    How to spread glitter
    How to make a home for a sticker, stamp or silhouette in your project
    Using stick glue, school glue, mod podge, tape
    How to to create interesting layers in a collage
    How to tear paper for a collage or suncatcher
    How to use contact paper in a easy collage
    How to use scissors or tearing paper
    Choosing which paint or glue to use
    How to make drawing fun

Sort your supplies into surfaces, tools, and mediums or materials. 

If you want a provocation question- “What can you create?” will work in most cases.

I always had stencils or silhouettes, stickers, glitter, glue, cookie cutters and DIY stamps out for Hope. She loved to embellish and add media to every background. My students and boys did not use them as much. So adapt your activity to your child's abilities and personal interests but don’t buy all your supplies at once. Keep slowly adding new supplies to keep their interests.

So try putting a few things out on a tray. I always tried the invitation as well. Sometimes the trial and error process just flops at first. It’s OK, just set it aside. Discuss your options or your suggestions out loud. Then fix or replace the apparent component that caused the problem. The set of droppers above, require advanced fine motor skills. They will be difficult to impossible for some to use. However, the artist can learn from it and we can tweak(or adapt) it a little and it works. This teaches problem solving which is vital to any inquiry based process. Simply replace the dropper with another tool that they have experienced success with.

The information from the trial also allows you to plan the next inquiry around their very own interests and skill level. And save the droppers for a future challenge or inquiry.

FUN TOOLS

Hands 
Feet
Balls
Short fat brushes
Forks
Cookie cutters
Shaped art sponges

INTERESTING SURFACES

Index cards
Paper plates
Coffee Filters
Paper towels
Contact (or sticky) Paper 
Bathtub walls
Kiddie pools

SAFE SUPPLIES

Jello
Yogurt
Pudding
Kool-Aid
Whipped Cream
Crayons
Markers

You Want us to Create Art With What!?!

Baby Artists

Making art with your baby will not only put some fun in your day, it will develop their fine motor and visual skills as well as their eye hand coordination. The earlier that you start developing those skills, the more confident they will be in using the sense of touch in exploring their world. Most of my students and children love being able to change the appearance of a piece of paper or another base by marking, stamping and painting on it. Hope wanted to make EVERYTHING “pretty” so certain supplies had to be put out of her reach.
Art challenges their eye hand coordination so I always like them to be able to feed themselves before starting them in any art.

NOTE: Allow them time to experience and explore new supplies and tools.
They will use all their senses to check them out. You can bet on it.

“Mom Brandon is eating my crayons”

It also gives them very creative experiences while they explore and discover the properties of new art supplies and tools. They may even come up with innovative and creative ideas on how to use something in a way that you didn't think of. It’s always fun to watch. Let them explore and try to use them in their own ways, which is great for making and tinkering as they grow older. So don’t correct them because they are developing their own creativity which is a huge asset in today's world. 

They start out not knowing how to put two things together to make art. So use books, videos on the computer, television, or a demonstration from yourself to give them a little bit of an idea of how to use them. They get excited to change the visual properties of what they are working with. 

Hope used to see something plain and wanted to make it “pretty”. I thought that was great, because both my sisters made things “pretty” in their jobs as florists. The first time that she was at a florist  shop she was about five months old. She loved to watch their hands move as they made an arrangement and to play in the displays (which wasn’t always wanted).
Unless they had a camera ready.



  At first we used household items and homemade supplies so they would be safe (in case they explored them with their mouths) anything pourable was mixed with corn starch for paint. And anything peanut butter, pudding, yogurt, cookie and cake mixes were quickly made into playdough.  We used pre-cut shapes, index cards, paper plates, computers and copy paper for them to paint, decorate, and draw what needed to be drawn on a project for them before giving the art tray to them. 

Those first art experiences are so incredible to be a part of!

Watching babies as they play, explore, and create is such a special thing and one neither the baby or mom will soon forget. 

Did you know that babies can begin exploring art when they are just a couple months old?  How do you ask? 
With these fun taste-safe paint recipes and mess-free art activities!

Resources for Waldorf Homeschooling

I put together this comprehensive list of resources for Waldorf-inspired homeschooling to help you navigate through the wonderful Waldorf journey. Want help creating a homeschooling plan from all the resources? Click here to get the mentoring and support you need to make homeschooling work for you and your family.

Here are the sections that you will find on this page:

  • Curriculum

  • Curriculum Support

  • Associations & Publications

  • My Favorite Books

  • Waldorf Suppliers

  • Crafts & Playthings

  • Support for Mom

This page contains some affiliate links for your convenience. You can read my full disclosure policy here. 

Curriculum

Christopherus Homeschool Resources Donna Simmons is a trained Waldorf teacher and homeschooling Mom. She offers curriculum for grades 1-5 along with a variety of unit studies, a Kindergarten guide, a very informative Waldorf Curriculum Overview, and audio downloads on various topics. Lots to check out on her site including a great article, “Waldorf 101.” Donna is currently downsizing and having a big sale. She will re-open her shop in January 2018 with a new pricing structure.

Live Education! publishes curriculum for Waldorf homeschoolers and teachers for grades K-8. Lovely curriculum book sets for each grade that come with consultation. Must purchase entire grade package.

A Path of Discovery Eric Fairman published his notes as a Waldorf classroom teacher in Australia. You can purchase each grade separately, volume 1-8. There is also a Mathematics book for all the grades. Purchase from Waldorf Books. All proceeds from the sale of A Path of Discovery volumes are allocated to legitimate social charitable needs, especially those of poor families and children in 3rd world countries such as Nepal or to send children of successful asylum seekers or other children of destitute families, to Steiner-Waldorf (inspired) schools.

Waldorf Essentials Melisa Nielsen is a Waldorf homeschooling parent who offers curriculum and support for grades 1-7 and an Early Years program. She also offers a training program for Moms called Thinking, Feeling, Willing.

Lavender’s Blue Homeschool offers a kindergarten curriculum organized by the seasons, as well as first- and second-grade curriculum. These are complete weekly guides, with stories, song recordings and verses.

Earthschooling Kristie Burns offers curriculum packages and lessons for grades preschool through 8th grade and high school as well. All lessons are created by a team of Waldorf and certified teachers and include videos, MP3s, and lectures for teacher support.

Math By Hand Hands-on, interactive math kits for grades 1-4, made specifically for homeschoolers by a CA Waldorf teacher. Each kit comes with all the materials needed to make each project. Effective, fun and complete.

Oak Meadow publishes homeschool curriculum materials for Pre-K through High School and has an accredited distance education school. Not purely Waldorf (lessons are not set up in main lesson blocks), but influenced by Waldorf.

Curriculum Support

Art of Homeschooling  This is my (Jean Miller’s) website where I offer inspiration through my podcast, blog posts, and a newsletter. You can also find out more about my courses, the Inspired at Home membership community, and my one-to-one Mentor Sessions. Plus so much more! I encourage you to have a look around.

Waldorf Without Walls  Barbara Dewey (my mentor) publishes many small, helpful books including one on Getting Started, a great Form Drawing book, and books on Handwork, Math, Watercolor Painting and more.

Waldorfish offers Weekly Art Lessons, an online program of videos that runs September through May. Great for learning Waldorf art techniques right alongside your children. They also offer Waldorf Art for Beginners if you want to learn the basics of Waldorf drawing, painting, and chalkboard drawing. Taught by two Waldorf teachers who also homeschool.

Simply Waldorf offers videos from Waldorf educators to and courses to help you on your homeschooling journey. New on the scene! You’ll find kindergarten and first grade resources available.

Millenial Child Eugene Schwartz’s site has lots of CDs on various topics including each grade, and he offers online conferences by grade. He has very helpful free outlines of each grade as well. And check out the article “Freedom of Choice or Freedom from Choice?”

Celebrate the Rhythm of Life Lisa Boisvert-Mackenzie offers the Living Curriculum Program for early childhood that focuses on simple rhythms, songs, and verses; and eCourses to support and inspire parents and teachers. Here’s a link to an article about Homeschooling Getting Organized.

The Waldorf Connection Anne Cleveland offers training and support particularly for parents of young children as well as a Kindergarten and First Grade curriculum.

A Waldorf Journey  Meredith Floyd-Preston is a mother of 3 teenagers and a Waldorf classroom teacher who blogs and podcasts about her experiences at A Waldorf Journey. She also offers curriculum and training materials for teachers and homeschoolers, and hosts a wonderful Podcast. You can listen to my conversation with Meredith on her Podcast here: A Conversation with Jean Miller of Art of Homeschooling.

Living Music Jodie Mesler has created a music curriculum called The Magic Flute for teaching penny whistle or recorder at home. Volume 1 is for the 6-year-old; Volume 2, for 7-9-year-olds. She also has Festival songbooks and CDs. 

Lemon Tree Press offers books by longtime Waldorf educator, Howard Schrager. Titles include LMNOP and King Maximo and the Number Knights. 

Syrendell Jennifer Tan is a fiber artist and Waldorf Mom who has handwork e-books for sale, among other things. Rick Tan is a Waldorf teacher and offers ecourses and workshops on chalkboard drawing and watercolor painting.

Bravewriter  “Supports and nurtures the homeschool family in the areas of Language Arts and writing from grammar school until college with online classes, home study courses and language arts programs.” Publishes magazines on individual fiction titles complete with dictation, narration and writing ideas for both elementary and high school.

David Darcy has a great book Inspiring Your Child’s Education: A Holistic Curriculum and Teacher Training Guide as well as a book and CD on the pentatonic recorder.

Jamie York Press Publisher of Waldorf math books for private, public and home schools, including the Making Math Meaningful curriculum and workbooks for each grade. This site also has wonderful Free Downloads of practice and review sheets, lesson plans, and math facts flashcards.

Movement for Childhood  A resource for teachers and parents who want to provide children a path to healthy development through age-appropriate movement activities inspired by Waldorf education. Check out the article “Education for Balance and Resilience.”

The Baldwin Project “Bringing Yesterday’s Classics to Today’s Children,” The Baldwin Online Children’s Literature Project seeks to make available a comprehensive collection of stories for different grades for teachers and parents – folk tales, myths, legends, fairy tales. Its focus is on literature that is in the public domain, published between 1880-1922. A great resource for stories.

Whole Family Rhythms Meagan at Whole Family Rhythm offers beautiful seasonal guides for families with young children as well as a Return to Rhythm online course. Join the free challenge to help you create a strong, balanced and flowing family rhythm in just 5 days.

Wee Folk Art Patterns and crafts from three generations of crafters. They also have a free kindergarten curriculum plan with a simple schedule of story, activity, art and poetry for each week.

Promethean Press Promethean Press aims to produce valuable aids to Waldorf Teachers in Music, Singing, Speech and Drama, Geometry, Child Development, Anthroposophy and other areas. Books of verses and recorder music from Waldorf teacher John Miles.

Starlite Puppets is dedicated to sharing the art of storytelling through puppetry and live music. They offer a few books of stories and songs and puppet-making kits.

Juniper Tree Puppets is a resource for puppetry and storytelling arts, exploring the art and archetype, the magic and meaning, the wisdom and healing of story and ensouled puppetry. They offer puppet making kits, story resource books, and trainings.

Waldorf Curriculum  This website includes free unit studies for kindergarten and the grades as well as tips on planning and an overview of the Waldorf curriculum.

The Online Waldorf Library So many incredible resources here. Under Journals, you can find back issues of a newsletter published from 1967-1988 written by and for Waldorf teachers; back issues of Gateways: A Newsletter of WECAN; Renewal magazine and so much more. The website has a handy search feature.

Rudolf Steiner Audio Offers MP3s and zip files of many books and lectures by Rudolf Steiner all for free to download or listen to on your computer.

Rudolf Steiner Archive Steiner’s lectures, books, and articles can be read here online as well as summaries of his books.

Associations & Publications

Why Waldorf Works “Everything You Need to Know About Waldorf Education” This is the new AWSNA site, the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America.

Anthroposophical Society in America The Rudolf Steiner Library, founded in 1928, is the lending and mail-order library of the Anthroposophical Society (click on Rudolf Steiner Library in menu). Society members automatically receive library membership at no additional charge. The library has over 27,000 volumes.

LILIPOH Magazine LILIPOH stands for Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. The magazine’s tagline is The Spirit of Life.  “Both inspirational and practical, LILIPOH is a lifestyles magazine for the growing populace known as ‘culture-creatives,’ folks interested in holistic health, well-being, creativity, spirituality, gardening, education, art, and social health. Articles, art, poetry, reviews of books, and news make LILIPOH a well-rounded, solution-oriented publication for creative, green-minded, thinking individuals who have an interest in spiritual inquiry and a desire to make a difference in the world.”

Taproot Magazine The magazine for makers, doers, and dreamers. This is an ad-free, independent quarterly focusing on food, farm, family, and craft. (Not related to the Taproot Teacher Training for Waldorf Homeschoolers, but a great name!)

No Child Left Inside Coalition is a broad-based organization made up of more than 600 member groups from across the United States who believe young people should receive a strong education about their natural world. The Coalition’s focus is the passage of the federal No Child Left Inside Act which would authorize major new funding for states to provide high-quality, environmental instruction.

Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America (WECAN) “Our mission is to protect and nurture the healthy development of the young child. We provide resources for early childhood educators and parents interested in Waldorf early childhood education.”

Alliance for Childhood works on issues related to preserving childhood, including supporting the importance of play and working against the commercialization of childhood and high stakes testing.

The Nature Institute’s mission is “viewing nature, science and technology in context.” They offer education programs and publications founded on the Goethean approach to science and nature.

The Nova Institute The Nova Institute seeks to bring fresh insights into parent and teacher education through a deeper understanding of children. The organization was founded by Jack Petrash, author of Understanding Waldorf Education: Teaching from the Inside Out.

My Favorite Books

3 Favorite Books to Introduce Waldorf Education

 

1. You Are Your Child’s First Teacher

2. Understanding Waldorf Education: Teaching from the Inside Out 

3. Waldorf Education: A Family Guide

4 Favorite Books for more in-depth Waldorf Curriculum

1. The Tasks and Content of the Steiner-Waldorf Curriculum 

2. Rhythms of Learning: Selected Lectures by Rudolf Steiner 

3. The Curriculum of the First Waldorf School

 (Caroline von Heydebrand)

 

4. The Christopherus Waldorf Curriculum Overview for Homeschoolers 

(Donna Simmons)

3 Favorite Books/Articles on Overviews of Specific Grades
(Keep in mind that these all describe classroom settings.)

 

1. 

Teaching As a Lively Art

 

(Marjorie Spock)

 

2. School As a Journey

 

(Torin Finser)

 

3. The Essentials of Waldorf Early Childhood Education 

(Elizabeth Grunelius)

Favorite Supplies for Homeschooling

1.

 

Stockmar Watercolor Paint

2.

 

Stockmar Crayons

3.

 

Stockmar Modeling Beeswax

4.

 

Lyra Colored Pencils

If you want to see more ideas for Waldorf supplies, check out these suggestions here.

Waldorf Suppliers

Bookstore at Rudolf Steiner College
AWSNA Publications
Paper Scissors Stone
Meadowsweet Naturals
Waldorf Books

Crafts & Playthings

A Child’s Dream
Bella Luna Toys
A Toy Garden
Palumba
Nova Natural Toys & Crafts
Happy Hedgehog Post
Bear Dance Crafts
Weir Dolls and Crafts

Support for Mom

Plan to Eat This is my absolute favorite menu planning tool that I’ve been using for over 4 years. An online meal planning program that stores all of your recipes, including those you find on the web, and allows you to drag and drop them into a weekly plan for meal preparation. Makes cooking at home and preparing family dinners so much easier.

Healthy Moving This wonderful exercise program helped me recover from an autoimmune flare 3 years ago and I’ve been doing it ever since. Four 6-week challenges a year bring you a weekend online class and then daily challenges of just one movement that you repeat throughout the day. So easy, fun, and effective. Plus a super supportive community. Check out the Coaching & Challenge Program here. If you aren’t ready to commit to a program, get the Stress Relief Bundle here – a handful of video classes and a short practice. 

Health Journeys This has been my go-to for guided meditations. My favorite is Meditations to Relieve Stress. Includes both Affirmations and a Walking Meditation.

Guidance for Waldorf Homeschooling from Jean Miller


Free Rhythm Starter Kit

Download your HOMESCHOOL RHYTHM STARTER KIT ~ just 3 simple steps to create your daily rhythm chart so you can step into the flow and release overwhelm.

Learning Through Play

IDEAS FOR TEACHING

Did you know play is a form of learning?  Learning through play is actually a critical part of the development of a child’s brain.

Learning through Play

 What happens in early their childhood is more important than we tend to believe. This is a time that shapes their future. Anyone who has studies and kind of early childhood education will understand this.


10 Ways To Facilitate Play-Based Learning At Home

Facilitate play-based learning at home with these fun ideas

There is such emphasis on play-based learning. But how does a parent facilitate play-based learning at home?

Learning Through Play

IDEAS FOR TEACHING

Did you know play is a form of learning?  Learning through play is actually a critical part of the development of a child’s brain.

Learning through Play

 What happens in early their childhood is more important than we tend to believe. This is a time that shapes their future. Anyone who has studies and kind of early childhood education will understand this.


10 Ways To Facilitate Play-Based Learning At Home

Facilitate play-based learning at home with these fun ideas

There is such emphasis on play-based learning. But how does a parent facilitate play-based learning at home?

Play-based learning or learning through play is a seeming buzz-concept.

It is referenced in on Pinterest, in news articles, educational resources, and online talks. While it is universally agreed upon, it’s fair to wonder why play-based learning is so great.

Over and over again, research shows that children’s brains are developed through play. Specifically, their language, thinking and problem-solving skills are more advanced as a result of playing.

[P]lay-based learning leads to greater social, emotional, and academic success… In fact, play is considered to be so essential to healthy development that the United Nations has recognized it as a specific right for all children. – Council of Ministers of Education Canada
Play is an important vehicle for developing self-regulation as well as promoting language, cognition, and social competence… [Play] gives [children] opportunities to explore the world, interact with others, express and control emotions, develop their symbolic and problem-solving abilities, and practice emerging skills. Research shows the links between play and foundational capacities such as memory, self-regulation, oral language abilities, social skills, and success in school. – The National Association for Education of Young Children (USA)

While it is undeniable that play is crucial to a child’s learning, the question remains: how does a parent facilitate play-based learning at home?

Do you just leave them to play or should you add to their play? Simply put, yes and yes.

The best way for a child to get the most out of learning through play is to be left to play at his or her own rate based on his or her interests. That said, there is so much we can do as parents to facilitate play-based learning at home. Here are some tips that come recommended by a school principal of over 35 years.

More Ways To Facilitate Play-Based Learning At Home

Want to your children to get the most out of your child's play? Facilitate play-based learning at home with these 10 strategies

1. Turn off the TV, tablet, and background noise of electronics.

While technology can be a wonderful compliment to education, screen time should not be integral to a child’s learning. Even though the content may seem educational, there is a tremendous amount of evidence that using screen time as a substitute for reading or interacting with your child can be detrimental. (See one resource on this here)

2. Allow for large chunks of free play each day.

You may have noticed in after a particularly busy day, you need to put your feet up and your child takes to playing. In letting them play by themselves, kids learn to self-regulate and are free to explore.

3. Play should be child-centered. And give your child ample opportunity to play alone.

It can be tempting to control or coordinate play. However, child-directed play increases self-regulation and allows for more exploration and causal understanding.

4. When engaging in their play, follow their lead.

Get down to their level. Play alongside them. The purpose of Child-Direct Play (CDP) is “[t]o enhance the child’s sense of appropriate control, self-regulation, and self-confidence; to provide an opportunity for the child’s access to focused, uninterrupted adult attention and close contact, without having to rely on negative or provocative behaviors to do so; and, to improve the level of understanding between the parent and child and the child’s sense of confidence and security in that relationship.” – Dr. McCurry Ph. D. (See more from this resource here).

5. Imitate, elaborate and ask questions based on what your child is doing.

Try just add a little more vocabulary or description to your child’s play.  Be observant for their interests and add to their repertoire by adding something new to chosen favourites.

6. Introduce materials, such as paint or play dough, that allow for their manipulation.

Different textures and colours add interest and peak curiosity

7. Incorporate common household items to add a new dimension to their play.

Tongs to pick up small items, oven mitts can be a makeshift puppet, a colander with pipe cleaners or dry pasta can act as wonderful sources of entertainment!

8. A great way to facilitate play-based learning at home is to get outside.

Outdoor play is also excellent for children as they learn cause and effect, appreciation of nature and benefit from fresh air. They also develop coordination and it is fun!

9. Give your child opportunities to play with other children.

Through these opportunities, they learn to cooperate,  negotiate, develop greater empathy, problem-solve and be kind.

10. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box.

Rain puddles, collecting natural items in nature a typical walk to the park more exciting and can lead to more fun once home!

photo credit: deposit photos

We do a lot of hands-on learning games in our house, this is a form of play as well!  Anytime you can incorporate play into the learning process it will really help kids learn more.  Plus the learning will stick more, too!   My kids really respond well to learning through play and we all have fun while still learning.


What Children Learn Through Play

Learning through play has always been one of the most powerful ways to educate young minds.
Here are some of the things that children learn while they play:

Children Learn Self Control – Children learn how to self-regulate their emotions, which is an essential skill to develop at an early age. Children can work through their feelings and learn to negotiate with others as well as learn the power of delayed gratification through simple, imaginative play. You can do some of these fun social-emotional learning activities with your children to help them learn to manage emotions.

Children Learn Healthy Habits 
Children learn healthy habits through play, especially when they pretend to cook in a kitchen and wash their hands in a pretend sink. Pretend play promotes healthy habits because it allows children to engage in the world around them actively, especially if you can incorporate doing some basic chores and make them into games. This can help prevent childhood obesity as well as depression and loneliness.

Children Learn How To Relieve Stress –Not only does play boost a child’s health and development, but it also helps to provide stable and nurturing relationships that help add a buffer between stress. The joy that happens when a child engages in play melts away the stress because the child is relaxed and happy, which helps to get those endorphins flowing. Play can reduce stress in all children of all ages, if you notice your teen is feeling stressed, go kick a ball around outside, throw a frisbee or play a game of basketball. Play doesn’t have to be for small children, it’s great for teens and even adults too.

Children Learn How To Have New Ideas – Play gives children new ideas about the world around them and promotes the use of imagination. New ideas and innovation is the way of the world. We need people and their ideas so we can advance in technology and introduce new ways to make life easier and more convenient. I mean, look at all the cool technology we have today, children who used their imaginations and learned to dream big grew up into adults who worked hard and made their dreams come true.

Children Learn How To Make Decisions – When children play, they make decisions, and sometimes they learn the natural consequences of their choices. Sometimes they make a decision that works out well for them, and this teaches lessons that decisions are important and should be thought through well if they don’t want to face consequences later on.

Children Learn About Mindfulness – When children are engaged in play, they lose awareness of the space around them, and they focus solely on the task in front of them. When children “zone out” when engaged in an activity, they are safe and secure and are often not afraid to try new ideas and experiment.

Children Learn More About Risk-Taking – As children play and interact with new materials around them, they explore and developmental flexibility and executive function. When it comes to risk-taking play, STEM activities are some of the best toys that you can offer to your child. We love to play with lego, magnet net tiles and circuit boards in our home.

These are all critical skills that children need which is why play is such a huge part of child development.

HOW TO SUPPORT YOUR YOUNG CHILD WITH HOME LEARNING

LINK OR SHARE

Here are simple ideas and some helpful advice for how to support your young child with home learning, for those of you with kids still at home from school. The ideas here cover the Early Years Foundation Stage and just beyond, (so approximately ages 3-7, year groups nursery to Year 1.)

First let’s remember that the Early Years curriculum is entirely PLAY-BASED. This IS how young children learn. It isn’t an addition to “learning time, it is learning time. In many ways this should relieve most of the pressure, however for many this feels even more uncertain and anxiety-inducing as it can be hard to fill days with open-ended play time.

The ideal scenario is plenty of access to a good range of open-ended toys and materials eg Duplo, blocks, magnetic tiles, doll house figures, will animal toys, vehicles, creative materials and of course BOOKS.

If your child isn’t used to independent play or you aren’t really sure what that looks like exactly then a little play structure can really help to begin with.

building with duplo

The aim of this post is to take you step by step through the most beneficial way to encourage this learning through play, highlighting the different types of play and how they aid learning.

The end goal is always independent, open-ended play time. And when you DO have to teach and rehearse some new concepts, that those are done in a hands on and play-based method.

INVITATIONS TO PLAY:

The best possible thing you could do each day would be to prepare a simple invitation to play for your child to find an engage with. It gets your child engaged early on and may give you some headspace as you get work emails answered or drink a coffee in peace at least (wishful thinking but also VERY possible as they learn the skill of independent play!)

This may very likely lead onto open learning possibilities which you could develop if your child shows an interest. Click here to read all about what an Invitation to Play is and many examples of them from my website.

An example of one I set up for my 5 year old last week is this frog pond small world sensory table. It involved water, fake plants rocks and wood slices. Into which I placed a frog life cycle toy set and next to which I added some information books on life cycles about the development of frogs. He loved this play set up and by the third time he played here he started to look through the books and ask a lot of questions. Following his interest, sparked first through play, he then drew a frog life cycle and labeled it. He was able to tell his sisters how frogs developed and understood the language of each stage of development. This is learning through play!

Frog pond small world

When choosing an activity to set up as an invitation to play/ learn or create you should ask yourself the following three questions to gauge if it is appropriate:

IS IT PLAYFUL?:
Does it involve action, imagination, and tactile, sensory-rich materials? If it involves a worksheet and a set learning outcome, the answer is no.

IS IT OPEN-ENDED?: 
Could it be used as one thing and then interpreted in other ways too? Does it use materials that are possible to use in a number of ways such as loose parts (eg corks/ pine cones/ blocks/ wooden peg people/ containers etc) A cardboard box is the classic example of this!

IS IT CHILD CENTERED?
Can the activity be driven solely by your child or does it need an adult to be involved and overly directing the play? Will it bother you if the child “messes this up” or plays with it in a different way to how you expected?

Literacy Play

If you only get one decent block of time each day to spend focused on your child then it should be dedicated to reading.

I suggest establishing a tradition of
5-a-Day Books (which you can read about in this post) and keep it going each week. This is an incredibly powerful early literacy tool that will lead to story telling and memorisation from a young age. My eldest could retell stories from age 3 using this method and her vocabulary was really enriched by it too.

Story Baskets:
These are a great idea to create, maybe one per week, based on a current favorite story. This Goldilocks version is a great example of using a traditional tale to rehearse and retell a well loved story. They are easy to do and lead on to dramatic play and dressing up, possibly even to story writing and book making too.

Goldilocks Storytelling Basket

Storytelling can also happen through playing together, gathering props and either retelling favorites or making up your own. Encouraging your child to make up their OWN story is also key.

Writing:

Let them see YOU reading and writing OFTEN. So much of our modern life happens on a screen, so take time to deliberately write out a shopping or to-do list by hand, in front of them. Write them notes to find and read, let them see you reading a real book or newspaper.

Talk to them about it and give them the tools so that they too can write lists, letters and notes. Set up a busy basket with stationery, mark making materials, envelopes, old stamps, ink pads, note paper, diaries etc. Encourage use of these in a playful way eg “make invitations to teddy’s birthday party” and writing will happen naturally.

Small World Play

Another wonderful invitation to play set up is the humble yet incredibly powerful SMALL WORLD PLAY

You can link these to a favorite story eg We’re Going on a Bear Hunt or The Very Hungry Caterpillar, to a favorite animal to create a habitat eg frog pond, rainforest, polar animals, under the sea, or to a real life scenario in miniature eg dolls house, hospital, school, sweet shop!

Add in information books and there is a whole topic waiting to be discovered!

Fantasy worlds are particularly fun to create and often link well to stories, such as dinosaurs and volcanoes, fairy land, knights and dragons, outer space and aliens etc.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Sensory Storytelling Activity

These set ups encourage VOCABULARY and language development and dramatically increase STORYTELLING SKILLS.

Both of which are VITAL building blocks for early literacy development, before reading and writing become fluent.

CREATIVITY

One of the best things you can do to encourage plenty of free play and “busyness” time is to prepare an independent making and creating area. This needs no fancy tools or set up, simply the space to create and access to plenty of making materials.

Watercolor wheels, paper, cardboard, paint sticks, oil pastels, markers, chalk, recycling, washi tape, model magic clay and yarns. Model sitting and creating in the area yourself and they will join in.

Make a Creative Space for Kids

You don’t need to suggest anything particular thing to make, instead freely experiment with mark making, patterns and designs on the media and teach them the complete joy of PROCESS BASED ART (ie focused on the DOING, not on the END RESULT.)

Three dimensional structures and “junk modeling” could be as simple as  making a special box filled with current favorites, such as this Minecraft box from my reluctant creator and writer! He was totally absorbed in this project because it involved images that he was able to select, print and cut out, rather than draw himself. He then used it as a base for further play. Huge win!

SENSORY PLAY

On the days that you have the energy and enthusiasm, sensory play will turn out to be your best friend and will actually give your child the longest stretches of independent play time.

Now, more than ever, sensory play is needed desperately for reducing anxiety and aiding relaxation and focus. It is a great equalizer, meaning all ages enjoy it and can play with it at the same time.

Frog jelly sensory play

Most sensory bases also offer plenty of learning opportunities, through filling and emptying, pouring and raking, estimating and problem solving. It is also the best way to work on fine motor skills, which are needed before holding a pencil for writing is actually possible

My favorite, as you can guess, is PLAY DOUGH. I have 50+ variations and activity ideas for play dough on this site as well as the most searched for play dough recipe in the world! It takes 4 months, is no-cook and lasts for months. And encourages incredibly long periods of play. Try it and see!

Water is one of the best, and of course the simplest to set up, so don’t feel you have to overthink it. Daytime baths are epic, as is sink play. Freeze items and you have a science exploration on your hands too.

If nothing else, I recommend making one set of dyed sensory rice (here’s my easy how to method.) It is pure therapy and offers a myriad of opportunities for play, as well as lasting forever which is a definite win.

Many sensory can be made with natural materials and essential oils too, increasing calm down possibilities and soothing irritability.

PLAY-BASED WAYS TO HOMESCHOOL YOUR TODDLER

This post may contain Amazon links. 

Be sure to check out all the posts, giveaways, and sponsors in the HELP! for the Homeschool Mom series! 

Just click the image below. 

Are you looking for play-based ways to homeschool your toddler?

If you’re homeschooling there’s a good chance that you’ll have a toddler around at some point – whether you’re specifically focusing on homeschooling your toddler or you have a toddler to entertain while teaching older children. 

It can be quite tricky with this age group and can definitely provide some challenges. I won’t lie – you’ll have days that will be hard and days where you get nothing done, but having a good plan in place can definitely help. 

One of the best ways to teach your toddler is through play. I can’t emphasize this enough – play is the best way that your toddler will learn.  There are countless studies and research to back this up and it’s well known in the early learning sector that toddlers DEFINITELY learn through play. 

Free Resources


SET UP ACTIVITIES THAT YOU CAN USE OVER AND OVER AGAIN

I often see people trying to plan new activities every day and they end up burning out. At this age, children love repetition. I’m sure you’ve all read the same book over and over again, and it can be the same with activities. If you make a sensory bin put a lid on it and bring it out again tomorrow, or put it in rotation and bring it out again next week.  If you were using scoops and cups in a rice sensory bin today, add toys in it tomorrow and then hide foam letters in it the next day.  Don’t make things harder for yourself than they have to be. 

TURN EVERYDAY EXPERIENCES INTO A LEARNING OPPORTUNITY 

Learning doesn’t have to take place only at home. Toddlers are inquisitive, always looking around, taking everything in and asking questions. You can turn any activity into a learning occasion.

If you’re walking to the park, talk about the colors of the leaves, count how many stairs you walk up or down, go on a listening hunt and talk about what sounds you can hear.

If you’re at the grocery store let them help you find the green apples or help you count out 3 bananas.

If you’re in the car, look for letters or colors on signs, or try to find blue cars or red buses. Everyday tasks are a great opportunity to learn. 

THROW AWAY THE WORKSHEETS AND FLASHCARDS 

At this age, worksheets and flashcards are not the way to go. I see a lot of people trying to increase their child’s vocabulary with flash cards, when they actually learn language quicker via play. 

Set up a pretend play area – a hospital, a shop, a vet surgery, etc. and get involved in the play. 

The language that will naturally occur during the play session will be much more valuable than learning a random word on a card.  Even if they are too young to be doing a lot of the talking they will be listening to you, repeating your actions, and learning the language in context. 

 MAKE IT FUN! 

It doesn’t matter how old you are, if something is fun you’re much more likely to want to keep doing it and there are so many great fun ways to include learning in your toddler’s play. One of the main questions that gets asked is how to teach children letters and numbers and these topics are so easy to learn through play.  You can find a huge collection of play-based toddler learning activities and ideas HERE.

PLAY-BASED WAYS TO HOMESCHOOL YOUR TODDLER

Be sure to check out all the posts, giveaways, and sponsors in the HELP! for the Homeschool Mom series! 
Just click the image below.

Are you looking for play-based ways to homeschool your toddler?

If you’re homeschooling there’s a good chance that you’ll have a toddler around at some point – whether you’re specifically focusing on homeschooling your toddler or you have a toddler to entertain while teaching older children. 

It can be quite tricky with this age group and can definitely provide some challenges. I won’t lie – you’ll have days that will be hard and days where you get nothing done, but having a good plan in place can definitely help. 

One of the best ways to teach your toddler is through play. I can’t emphasize this enough – play is the best way that your toddler will learn.  There are countless studies and research to back this up and it’s well known in the early learning sector that toddlers DEFINITELY learn through play. 

Free Resources

SET UP ACTIVITIES THAT YOU CAN USE OVER AND OVER AGAIN

I often see people trying to plan new activities every day and they end up burning out. At this age, children love repetition. I’m sure you’ve all read the same book over and over again, and it can be the same with activities. If you make a sensory bin put a lid on it and bring it out again tomorrow, or put it in rotation and bring it out again next week.  If you were using scoops and cups in a rice sensory bin today, add toys in it tomorrow and then hide foam letters in it the next day.  Don’t make things harder for yourself than they have to be. 

TURN EVERYDAY EXPERIENCES INTO A LEARNING OPPORTUNITY 

Learning doesn’t have to take place only at home. Toddlers are inquisitive, always looking around, taking everything in and asking questions. You can turn any activity into a learning occasion.

If you’re walking to the park, talk about the colors of the leaves, count how many stairs you walk up or down, go on a listening hunt and talk about what sounds you can hear.

If you’re at the grocery store let them help you find the green apples or help you count out 3 bananas.

If you’re in the car, look for letters or colors on signs, or try to find blue cars or red buses. Everyday tasks are a great opportunity to learn. 

Set up a pretend play area 
– a hospital, a shop, a vet surgery, etc. and get involved in the play. 

The language that will naturally occur during the play session will be much more valuable than learning a random word on a card.  Even if they are too young to be doing a lot of the talking they will be listening to you, repeating your actions, and learning the language in context. 

 MAKE IT FUN! 

It doesn’t matter how old you are, if something is fun you’re much more likely to want to keep doing it and there are so many great fun ways to include learning in your toddler’s play. One of the main questions that gets asked is how to teach children letters and numbers and these topics are so easy to learn through play.  You can find a huge collection of play-based toddler learning activities and ideas HERE.


It is referenced in on Pinterest, in news articles, educational resources, and online talks. While it is universally agreed upon, it’s fair to wonder why play-based learning is so great.

Over and over again, research shows that children’s brains are developed through play. Specifically, their language, thinking and problem-solving skills are more advanced as a result of playing.

[P]lay-based learning leads to greater social, emotional, and academic success… In fact, play is considered to be so essential to healthy development that the United Nations has recognized it as a specific right for all children. – Council of Ministers of Education Canada
Play is an important vehicle for developing self-regulation as well as promoting language, cognition, and social competence… [Play] gives [children] opportunities to explore the world, interact with others, express and control emotions, develop their symbolic and problem-solving abilities, and practice emerging skills. Research shows the links between play and foundational capacities such as memory, self-regulation, oral language abilities, social skills, and success in school. – The National Association for Education of Young Children (USA)

While it is undeniable that play is crucial to a child’s learning, the question remains: how does a parent facilitate play-based learning at home?

Do you just leave them to play or should you add to their play? Simply put, yes and yes.

The best way for a child to get the most out of learning through play is to be left to play at his or her own rate based on his or her interests. That said, there is so much we can do as parents to facilitate play-based learning at home. Here are some tips that come recommended by a school principal of over 35 years.

More Ways To Facilitate Play-Based Learning At Home

Want to your children to get the most out of your child's play? Facilitate play-based learning at home with these 10 strategies

1. Turn off the TV, tablet, and background noise of electronics.

While technology can be a wonderful compliment to education, screen time should not be integral to a child’s learning. Even though the content may seem educational, there is a tremendous amount of evidence that using screen time as a substitute for reading or interacting with your child can be detrimental. (See one resource on this here)

2. Allow for large chunks of free play each day.

You may have noticed in after a particularly busy day, you need to put your feet up and your child takes to playing. In letting them play by themselves, kids learn to self-regulate and are free to explore.

3. Play should be child-centered. And give your child ample opportunity to play alone.

It can be tempting to control or coordinate play. However, child-directed play increases self-regulation and allows for more exploration and causal understanding.

4. When engaging in their play, follow their lead.

Get down to their level. Play alongside them. The purpose of Child-Direct Play (CDP) is “[t]o enhance the child’s sense of appropriate control, self-regulation, and self-confidence; to provide an opportunity for the child’s access to focused, uninterrupted adult attention and close contact, without having to rely on negative or provocative behaviors to do so; and, to improve the level of understanding between the parent and child and the child’s sense of confidence and security in that relationship.” – Dr. McCurry Ph. D. (See more from this resource here).

5. Imitate, elaborate and ask questions based on what your child is doing.

Try just add a little more vocabulary or description to your child’s play.  Be observant for their interests and add to their repertoire by adding something new to chosen favourites.

6. Introduce materials, such as paint or play dough, that allow for their manipulation.

Different textures and colours add interest and peak curiosity

7. Incorporate common household items to add a new dimension to their play.

Tongs to pick up small items, oven mitts can be a makeshift puppet, a colander with pipe cleaners or dry pasta can act as wonderful sources of entertainment!

8. A great way to facilitate play-based learning at home is to get outside.

Outdoor play is also excellent for children as they learn cause and effect, appreciation of nature and benefit from fresh air. They also develop coordination and it is fun!

9. Give your child opportunities to play with other children.

Through these opportunities, they learn to cooperate,  negotiate, develop greater empathy, problem-solve and be kind.

10. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box.

Rain puddles, collecting natural items in nature a typical walk to the park more exciting and can lead to more fun once home!

photo credit: deposit photos

We do a lot of hands-on learning games in our house, this is a form of play as well!  Anytime you can incorporate play into the learning process it will really help kids learn more.  Plus the learning will stick more, too!   My kids really respond well to learning through play and we all have fun while still learning.


What Children Learn Through Play

Learning through play has always been one of the most powerful ways to educate young minds.
Here are some of the things that children learn while they play:

Children Learn Self Control – Children learn how to self-regulate their emotions, which is an essential skill to develop at an early age. Children can work through their feelings and learn to negotiate with others as well as learn the power of delayed gratification through simple, imaginative play. You can do some of these fun social-emotional learning activities with your children to help them learn to manage emotions.

Children Learn Healthy Habits 
Children learn healthy habits through play, especially when they pretend to cook in a kitchen and wash their hands in a pretend sink. Pretend play promotes healthy habits because it allows children to engage in the world around them actively, especially if you can incorporate doing some basic chores and make them into games. This can help prevent childhood obesity as well as depression and loneliness.

Children Learn How To Relieve Stress –Not only does play boost a child’s health and development, but it also helps to provide stable and nurturing relationships that help add a buffer between stress. The joy that happens when a child engages in play melts away the stress because the child is relaxed and happy, which helps to get those endorphins flowing. Play can reduce stress in all children of all ages, if you notice your teen is feeling stressed, go kick a ball around outside, throw a frisbee or play a game of basketball. Play doesn’t have to be for small children, it’s great for teens and even adults too.

Children Learn How To Have New Ideas – Play gives children new ideas about the world around them and promotes the use of imagination. New ideas and innovation is the way of the world. We need people and their ideas so we can advance in technology and introduce new ways to make life easier and more convenient. I mean, look at all the cool technology we have today, children who used their imaginations and learned to dream big grew up into adults who worked hard and made their dreams come true.

Children Learn How To Make Decisions – When children play, they make decisions, and sometimes they learn the natural consequences of their choices. Sometimes they make a decision that works out well for them, and this teaches lessons that decisions are important and should be thought through well if they don’t want to face consequences later on.

Children Learn About Mindfulness – When children are engaged in play, they lose awareness of the space around them, and they focus solely on the task in front of them. When children “zone out” when engaged in an activity, they are safe and secure and are often not afraid to try new ideas and experiment.

Children Learn More About Risk-Taking – As children play and interact with new materials around them, they explore and developmental flexibility and executive function. When it comes to risk-taking play, STEM activities are some of the best toys that you can offer to your child. We love to play with lego, magnet net tiles and circuit boards in our home.

These are all critical skills that children need which is why play is such a huge part of child development.

HOW TO SUPPORT YOUR YOUNG CHILD WITH HOME LEARNING

LINK OR SHARE

Here are simple ideas and some helpful advice for how to support your young child with home learning, for those of you with kids still at home from school. The ideas here cover the Early Years Foundation Stage and just beyond, (so approximately ages 3-7, year groups nursery to Year 1.)

First let’s remember that the Early Years curriculum is entirely PLAY-BASED. This IS how young children learn. It isn’t an addition to “learning time, it is learning time. In many ways this should relieve most of the pressure, however for many this feels even more uncertain and anxiety-inducing as it can be hard to fill days with open-ended play time.

The ideal scenario is plenty of access to a good range of open-ended toys and materials eg Duplo, blocks, magnetic tiles, doll house figures, will animal toys, vehicles, creative materials and of course BOOKS.

If your child isn’t used to independent play or you aren’t really sure what that looks like exactly then a little play structure can really help to begin with.

building with duplo

The aim of this post is to take you step by step through the most beneficial way to encourage this learning through play, highlighting the different types of play and how they aid learning.

The end goal is always independent, open-ended play time. And when you DO have to teach and rehearse some new concepts, that those are done in a hands on and play-based method.

INVITATIONS TO PLAY:

The best possible thing you could do each day would be to prepare a simple invitation to play for your child to find an engage with. It gets your child engaged early on and may give you some headspace as you get work emails answered or drink a coffee in peace at least (wishful thinking but also VERY possible as they learn the skill of independent play!)

This may very likely lead onto open learning possibilities which you could develop if your child shows an interest. Click here to read all about what an Invitation to Play is and many examples of them from my website.

An example of one I set up for my 5 year old last week is this frog pond small world sensory table. It involved water, fake plants rocks and wood slices. Into which I placed a frog life cycle toy set and next to which I added some information books on life cycles about the development of frogs. He loved this play set up and by the third time he played here he started to look through the books and ask a lot of questions. Following his interest, sparked first through play, he then drew a frog life cycle and labeled it. He was able to tell his sisters how frogs developed and understood the language of each stage of development. This is learning through play!

Frog pond small world

When choosing an activity to set up as an invitation to play/ learn or create you should ask yourself the following three questions to gauge if it is appropriate:

IS IT PLAYFUL?:
Does it involve action, imagination, and tactile, sensory-rich materials? If it involves a worksheet and a set learning outcome, the answer is no.

IS IT OPEN-ENDED?: 
Could it be used as one thing and then interpreted in other ways too? Does it use materials that are possible to use in a number of ways such as loose parts (eg corks/ pine cones/ blocks/ wooden peg people/ containers etc) A cardboard box is the classic example of this!

IS IT CHILD CENTERED?
Can the activity be driven solely by your child or does it need an adult to be involved and overly directing the play? Will it bother you if the child “messes this up” or plays with it in a different way to how you expected?

Literacy Play

If you only get one decent block of time each day to spend focused on your child then it should be dedicated to reading.

I suggest establishing a tradition of
5-a-Day Books (which you can read about in this post) and keep it going each week. This is an incredibly powerful early literacy tool that will lead to story telling and memorisation from a young age. My eldest could retell stories from age 3 using this method and her vocabulary was really enriched by it too.

Story Baskets:
These are a great idea to create, maybe one per week, based on a current favorite story. This Goldilocks version is a great example of using a traditional tale to rehearse and retell a well loved story. They are easy to do and lead on to dramatic play and dressing up, possibly even to story writing and book making too.

Goldilocks Storytelling Basket

Storytelling can also happen through playing together, gathering props and either retelling favorites or making up your own. Encouraging your child to make up their OWN story is also key.

Writing:

Let them see YOU reading and writing OFTEN. So much of our modern life happens on a screen, so take time to deliberately write out a shopping or to-do list by hand, in front of them. Write them notes to find and read, let them see you reading a real book or newspaper.

Talk to them about it and give them the tools so that they too can write lists, letters and notes. Set up a busy basket with stationery, mark making materials, envelopes, old stamps, ink pads, note paper, diaries etc. Encourage use of these in a playful way eg “make invitations to teddy’s birthday party” and writing will happen naturally.

Small World Play

Another wonderful invitation to play set up is the humble yet incredibly powerful SMALL WORLD PLAY

You can link these to a favorite story eg We’re Going on a Bear Hunt or The Very Hungry Caterpillar, to a favorite animal to create a habitat eg frog pond, rainforest, polar animals, under the sea, or to a real life scenario in miniature eg dolls house, hospital, school, sweet shop!

Add in information books and there is a whole topic waiting to be discovered!

Fantasy worlds are particularly fun to create and often link well to stories, such as dinosaurs and volcanoes, fairy land, knights and dragons, outer space and aliens etc.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Sensory Storytelling Activity

These set ups encourage VOCABULARY and language development and dramatically increase STORYTELLING SKILLS.

Both of which are VITAL building blocks for early literacy development, before reading and writing become fluent.

CREATIVITY

One of the best things you can do to encourage plenty of free play and “busyness” time is to prepare an independent making and creating area. This needs no fancy tools or set up, simply the space to create and access to plenty of making materials.

Watercolor wheels, paper, cardboard, paint sticks, oil pastels, markers, chalk, recycling, washi tape, model magic clay and yarns. Model sitting and creating in the area yourself and they will join in.

Make a Creative Space for Kids

You don’t need to suggest anything particular thing to make, instead freely experiment with mark making, patterns and designs on the media and teach them the complete joy of PROCESS BASED ART (ie focused on the DOING, not on the END RESULT.)

Three dimensional structures and “junk modeling” could be as simple as  making a special box filled with current favorites, such as this Minecraft box from my reluctant creator and writer! He was totally absorbed in this project because it involved images that he was able to select, print and cut out, rather than draw himself. He then used it as a base for further play. Huge win!

SENSORY PLAY

On the days that you have the energy and enthusiasm, sensory play will turn out to be your best friend and will actually give your child the longest stretches of independent play time.

Now, more than ever, sensory play is needed desperately for reducing anxiety and aiding relaxation and focus. It is a great equalizer, meaning all ages enjoy it and can play with it at the same time.

Frog jelly sensory play

Most sensory bases also offer plenty of learning opportunities, through filling and emptying, pouring and raking, estimating and problem solving. It is also the best way to work on fine motor skills, which are needed before holding a pencil for writing is actually possible

My favorite, as you can guess, is PLAY DOUGH. I have 50+ variations and activity ideas for play dough on this site as well as the most searched for play dough recipe in the world! It takes 4 months, is no-cook and lasts for months. And encourages incredibly long periods of play. Try it and see!

Water is one of the best, and of course the simplest to set up, so don’t feel you have to overthink it. Daytime baths are epic, as is sink play. Freeze items and you have a science exploration on your hands too.

If nothing else, I recommend making one set of dyed sensory rice (here’s my easy how to method.) It is pure therapy and offers a myriad of opportunities for play, as well as lasting forever which is a definite win.

Many sensory can be made with natural materials and essential oils too, increasing calm down possibilities and soothing irritability.

PLAY-BASED WAYS TO HOMESCHOOL YOUR TODDLER

This post may contain Amazon links. 

Be sure to check out all the posts, giveaways, and sponsors in the HELP! for the Homeschool Mom series! 

Just click the image below. 

Are you looking for play-based ways to homeschool your toddler?

If you’re homeschooling there’s a good chance that you’ll have a toddler around at some point – whether you’re specifically focusing on homeschooling your toddler or you have a toddler to entertain while teaching older children. 

It can be quite tricky with this age group and can definitely provide some challenges. I won’t lie – you’ll have days that will be hard and days where you get nothing done, but having a good plan in place can definitely help. 

One of the best ways to teach your toddler is through play. I can’t emphasize this enough – play is the best way that your toddler will learn.  There are countless studies and research to back this up and it’s well known in the early learning sector that toddlers DEFINITELY learn through play. 

Free Resources


SET UP ACTIVITIES THAT YOU CAN USE OVER AND OVER AGAIN

I often see people trying to plan new activities every day and they end up burning out. At this age, children love repetition. I’m sure you’ve all read the same book over and over again, and it can be the same with activities. If you make a sensory bin put a lid on it and bring it out again tomorrow, or put it in rotation and bring it out again next week.  If you were using scoops and cups in a rice sensory bin today, add toys in it tomorrow and then hide foam letters in it the next day.  Don’t make things harder for yourself than they have to be. 

TURN EVERYDAY EXPERIENCES INTO A LEARNING OPPORTUNITY 

Learning doesn’t have to take place only at home. Toddlers are inquisitive, always looking around, taking everything in and asking questions. You can turn any activity into a learning occasion.

If you’re walking to the park, talk about the colors of the leaves, count how many stairs you walk up or down, go on a listening hunt and talk about what sounds you can hear.

If you’re at the grocery store let them help you find the green apples or help you count out 3 bananas.

If you’re in the car, look for letters or colors on signs, or try to find blue cars or red buses. Everyday tasks are a great opportunity to learn. 

THROW AWAY THE WORKSHEETS AND FLASHCARDS 

At this age, worksheets and flashcards are not the way to go. I see a lot of people trying to increase their child’s vocabulary with flash cards, when they actually learn language quicker via play. 

Set up a pretend play area – a hospital, a shop, a vet surgery, etc. and get involved in the play. 

The language that will naturally occur during the play session will be much more valuable than learning a random word on a card.  Even if they are too young to be doing a lot of the talking they will be listening to you, repeating your actions, and learning the language in context. 

 MAKE IT FUN! 

It doesn’t matter how old you are, if something is fun you’re much more likely to want to keep doing it and there are so many great fun ways to include learning in your toddler’s play. One of the main questions that gets asked is how to teach children letters and numbers and these topics are so easy to learn through play.  You can find a huge collection of play-based toddler learning activities and ideas HERE.

PLAY-BASED WAYS TO HOMESCHOOL YOUR TODDLER

Be sure to check out all the posts, giveaways, and sponsors in the HELP! for the Homeschool Mom series! 
Just click the image below.

Are you looking for play-based ways to homeschool your toddler?

If you’re homeschooling there’s a good chance that you’ll have a toddler around at some point – whether you’re specifically focusing on homeschooling your toddler or you have a toddler to entertain while teaching older children. 

It can be quite tricky with this age group and can definitely provide some challenges. I won’t lie – you’ll have days that will be hard and days where you get nothing done, but having a good plan in place can definitely help. 

One of the best ways to teach your toddler is through play. I can’t emphasize this enough – play is the best way that your toddler will learn.  There are countless studies and research to back this up and it’s well known in the early learning sector that toddlers DEFINITELY learn through play. 

Free Resources

SET UP ACTIVITIES THAT YOU CAN USE OVER AND OVER AGAIN

I often see people trying to plan new activities every day and they end up burning out. At this age, children love repetition. I’m sure you’ve all read the same book over and over again, and it can be the same with activities. If you make a sensory bin put a lid on it and bring it out again tomorrow, or put it in rotation and bring it out again next week.  If you were using scoops and cups in a rice sensory bin today, add toys in it tomorrow and then hide foam letters in it the next day.  Don’t make things harder for yourself than they have to be. 

TURN EVERYDAY EXPERIENCES INTO A LEARNING OPPORTUNITY 

Learning doesn’t have to take place only at home. Toddlers are inquisitive, always looking around, taking everything in and asking questions. You can turn any activity into a learning occasion.

If you’re walking to the park, talk about the colors of the leaves, count how many stairs you walk up or down, go on a listening hunt and talk about what sounds you can hear.

If you’re at the grocery store let them help you find the green apples or help you count out 3 bananas.

If you’re in the car, look for letters or colors on signs, or try to find blue cars or red buses. Everyday tasks are a great opportunity to learn. 

Set up a pretend play area 
– a hospital, a shop, a vet surgery, etc. and get involved in the play. 

The language that will naturally occur during the play session will be much more valuable than learning a random word on a card.  Even if they are too young to be doing a lot of the talking they will be listening to you, repeating your actions, and learning the language in context. 

 MAKE IT FUN! 

It doesn’t matter how old you are, if something is fun you’re much more likely to want to keep doing it and there are so many great fun ways to include learning in your toddler’s play. One of the main questions that gets asked is how to teach children letters and numbers and these topics are so easy to learn through play.  You can find a huge collection of play-based toddler learning activities and ideas HERE.

Early Childhood Nature  Play
and-- Forest Schools


Free Printable Planner Pages 

A Year at Home
Free Weekly & Monthly Planner: 23/24 Academic Year

It is ready! It is ready! My patient friends, thank you for waiting. Our annual, beautiful FREE Printable Planner Pages are now available to you! A Year at Home Planner This resource is downloaded year after year and is always given as a gift from me to you. A little way for me to say,…

READ MORE »

NATURE HOMESCHOOL

Nature homeschool curriculum and resources

Early Childhood Nature  Play
and Forest Schools


Free Printable Planner Pages 

A Year at Home
Free Weekly & Monthly Planner: 23/24 Academic Year

It is ready! It is ready! My patient friends, thank you for waiting. Our annual, beautiful FREE Printable Planner Pages are now available to you! A Year at Home Planner This resource is downloaded year after year and is always given as a gift from me to you. A little way for me to say,…

READ MORE »

NATURE HOMESCHOOL

Nature homeschool curriculum and resources

Nature Schooling- Books and Curriculum for Nature Loving Homeschoolers

Nature Schooling Curriculum Round Up

Nature homeschool curriculum

Exploring Nature With Children by Raising Little Shoots(Love this and would add it to any of the other curricula without hesitation. It’s a really beautiful way to celebrate and observe nature and how it changes with the seasons.)

The Habitat Schoolhouse(I’m in love with this curriculum and, for me, it fits perfectly with Exploring Nature With Children. The lessons are all based on nature and the outdoors.)

The Peaceful Press(Main curriculum, but there are also standalone guides that make a lovely addition to your nature study or a different main curriculum of your choosing. There is religious content, but not so much that this curriculum can’t be used in secular study.)

A Year of Tales (Literature focused preschool curriculum inspired by Beatrix Potter tales. There is a small religious component, but if that’s not your cup of tea, you can adapt it for more secular study.)

Blossom & Root(A main curriculum and book seeds, which are guides inspired by fantastic children’s nature books that make wonderful “unit” studies.)

Wild Math(Takes math outside using nature as concrete manipulatives.)

Rooted Childhood(Charlotte Mason inspired homeschool resources.)

Christopherus Homeschool(homeschool Waldorf Curriculum)

Compilation of Free Nature Based Curricula

Brave Writer(Not nature-inspired, but a great writing resource to complement another nature program.)

Tanglewood Hollow(Waldorf inspired nature-based curriculum and nature studies/materials.)

Wild + Free subscription(homeschooling resources and inspiration + homeschooler meet up groups)

Nature Lesson Guides from Firefly Nature School(great for “unit” studies)

Little Acorn Learning (a wealth of Waldorf homeschooling resources)

 Nature Homeschool Printables

Bee unit study for nature based homeschool.

 These are some of my favorite shops to purchase nature-inspired printables to use in homeschooling unit studies and to complement larger curricula with hands on materials.

Chickie and Roo (lovely printables to complement your nature-based learning)

Red Oak Adventures(outdoor adventure gear for your entire family)

Brave Grown Home(nature guides, three-part cards, and other printables)

Honeycomb Cabin

Fiddlesticks Ed(lovely hand illustrated watercolor nature-based educational resources)

Brilliant Bungalow(homeschool curriculum and resources with beautiful homeschool bundles)

Twig and Moth (nature inspired illustrations and educational materials)

Steph Hathaway Designs(beautiful unit study bundles)

The Little Oak Learning(very Waldorfy feeling, focusing on storytelling (meet the Hiddles) and rhythms in a nature)

Kindergarten Toolkit (minimalist tools for preschoolers and Kindergarten)

***Many of these shops participate in seasonal bundles with other shops on this list!

Favorite Shops for Natural Toys

If you want to go all out with your homeschooling environment and create an atmosphere that will ultimately nurture your whole child, educating their head, hands, and heart, these shops have everything you need.
Remember though, less is more (the book Simplicity Parenting will tell you all about this). Higher quality materials that encourage open-ended and imaginative play will not only physically last a lot longer, they also have more staying power emotionally and developmentally for your child. Their play becomes much more creative and sophisticated. 

I feel I should take a moment here to say that it’s also okay to let your child “be bored.” Parents aren’t put on this planet to entertain their children. We’re here to create enriched and wholesome environments filled with love, so that our children thrive, become increasingly independent, lifelong and enthusiastic learners, divergent thinkers, and, ultimately, actualized human beings.

Child playing with a mud kitchen during nature homeschooling.

WoodNPoppy(maker of amazing mud kitchens like the one above!)

Nestling + Nook(one of my very favorites)

Pickwick & Sprout(books and gorgeous toys/homeschool materials for early childhood)

Mirus Toys(my favorite Etsy toy shop with loads of nature inspired Waldorf and Montessori educational toys, from puzzles to play dough stamps (animal tracks!) to matching, sorting, and manipulatives)

Geodessee Toys (Montessori felt boards and three-part cards)

Wiwiurka(wooden climbing equipment and toys for active play)

Dimokl Wooden Toys(lovely tree blocks and other wooden toys for when you don’t want to make them yourself)

Mamuma Bird(More lovely wooden objects, including puzzles for little ones. We purchased a beautiful wooden leaf puzzle from here.

All Alive(nature inspired Waldorf and Montessori toys)

Sea of Grass Studio(gorgeous handmade natural art supplies, such as beeswax crayons)

Magic Stones Art Shop (story stones for early literacy to bring your child’s favorite nature books to life)

Favorite Nature Schooling Books

Finally, if you’re looking for beautiful nature books to build your child(ren)’s library, books to complement any of the above curriculum (or to create your very own unique curriculum), books to get cozy with on rainy days while drying out after tramping through wet forests, or books for your own parenting/teaching journey, they’re on this list. 

Nature Anatomy, Farm Anatomy, and Food Anatomy books by Julia Rothman

A List of Beautiful Children’s Picture Books About Nature

Nature Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of the Natural World

The Snail and the Whale

Mud Pies and Other Recipes

The Story of the Root Children: Mini Edition

The Wondrous Workings of Planet Earth: Understanding Our World and Its Ecosystems

Foraging with Kids: 52 Wild and Free Edibles to Enjoy With Your Children 

Moon: A Peek-Through Picture Book

Nature All Around: Bugs

Pond Circle

Over and Under the Snow

Nature’s Day: Discover the world of wonder on your doorstep

Sing a Song of Seasons: A Nature Poem for Each Day of the Year

Goodbye Autumn, Hello Winter

The Organic Artist for Kids: A DIY Guide to Making Your Own Eco-Friendly Art Supplies from Nature

Tiny, Perfect Things

Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt

Botanicum: Welcome to the Museum

Botanicum and Animalium books

Animalium: Welcome to the Museum

A Kid’s Herb Book: For Children of All Ages

Outside Your Window: A First Book of Nature

All About the Bees

Bees: A Honeyed History

The Honeybee

About Trees

Trees: A Rooted History

Nature All Around: Trees

The Magic and Mystery of Trees

Because of an Acorn

Seeds and Trees: A children’s book about the power of words

I Am The Seed That Grew

For Very Tiny Ones

Adventures with Barefoot Critters

Counting with Barefoot Critters

For Parents/Caregivers

Homeschooling books for parents

Play The Forest School Way: Woodland Games and Crafts for Adventurous Kids

A Year of Forest School:
Outdoor Play and Skill-building Fun for Every Season

Forest School Adventure: Outdoor Skills and Play for Children

How to Raise a Wild Child: The Art and Science of Falling in Love with Nature 

Balanced and Barefoot: How Unrestricted Outdoor Play Makes for Strong, Confident, and Capable Children

There’s No Such Thing as Bad Weather: A Scandinavian Mom’s Secrets for Raising Healthy, Resilient, and Confident Kids

The Call of the Wild and Free: Reclaiming Wonder in Your Child’s Education

The Brave Learner: Finding Everyday Magic in Homeschool, Learning, and Life

The Read-Aloud Family: Making Meaningful and Lasting Connections with Your Kids

Simplicity Parenting: Using the Extraordinary Power of Less to Raise Calmer, Happier, and More Secure Kids

Handbook of Nature Study

Waldorf Books for Caregivers of the Very Young

You Are Your Child’s First Teacher: Encouraging Your Child’s Natural Development from Birth to Age Six

Heaven on Earth: A Handbook for Parents of Young Children

Beyond the Rainbow Bridge: Nurturing Our Children from Birth to Seven

The best books and resources for nature homeschooling your kids.


Raising a wild child with nature homeschooling curriculum.

Get in touch!

Chippie the Robot Dog for Learning & Play

Teach Your Child to Play Piano

60 Elementary Hands-On Math Teaching Ideas

40 Fun Magnet Experiments and Play Ideas

Hundred Chart Learning Ideas

Mother Goose Nursery Rhymes Teaching Ideas

Current Events for Kids: Websites and Teaching Ideas

Big Fat List of Summer Learning Ideas

COUNTING

HANDS-ON LEARNING

HOMESCHOOLING 

LANGUAGE ARTS

LEARNING FOR MOM

LEARNING GAMES

LIFE SKILLS

MATH

PLAY PRESCHOOL

READING 

SCIENCES

SENSORY

NATURE Getting them OUTSIDE as much as possible, for tree climbing, running, hill rolling and river splashing is fundamental. Taking the play outside is  hugely beneficial for everyone, including you.

Your child actually needs to develop upper body strength and control BEFORE being able to sit and write with control, so focus on gross motor games and coordination as much as possible, using equipment and crossing the midline activities too.

Try scavenger hunts, nature trails, identifying mini beasts and plants and large scale nature art like this. 

Nature land art for kids

Collect items from nature to make a loose parts collection for play.

Here are 60 nature play ideas using materials you can find freely outside!
(I LOVE THIS LINK.)

Take your sensory play outside and the clean up is then  no longer an issue either!

Almost all sensory play set ups also encourage the development of FINE MOTOR SKILLS, so this is another important reason to include them in your weekly plans.

Simply add tools to the play tray and the possibilities will increase. Scissors, straws, matchsticks and gems to play dough. Scoops, cups and tubes to a tray of rice. Jugs and funnels to a water tub. Shells and pebbles to damp sand etc.

This is by no means an exhaustive list, I truly could have written a whole book on this topic!

I just want to get you started with ideas to help you see that PLAYING IS LEARNING and that by spending a little time preparing resources and spaces, you can facilitate this effectively for your young child.

Choose one or two things to try this week by focusing on their current favorite topic and sticking with that. A week based on pirates? Brilliant! Focus everything around Jack and the Beanstalk? amazing!

Remember the key areas, use ideas from school to weave into it too, but mostly focus on what you know interests and works for your OWN CHILD and their current interests.

I aim to create a PROJECT BASED LEARNING post next, to help take that focus to the next level with older children, thus keeping the creativity alive as they learn in a playful way.

Sensory Writing

When you come to practice specific pre-writing skills, name learning, phonics and then sight words, use a sensory writing tray as your tool. Not only is it a LOT more fun, using a sensory material instead of paper and pencil actually INCREASES memory retention of the new concept.

Write in shaving cream, paint, salt or flour. Kinaesthetic learning is the fundamental key to learning and remembering new skills more effectively. You can theme these and even add scents too! Here is our entire collection of SENSORY WRITING TRAYS to browse through. They can stick these and label them or

NUMERACY

In exactly the same manner, all early math concepts can be introduced and practiced through play. Involve them in baking and ask them to read the measurements, check the scales and find the temperature needed for the oven. Can they then set the timer and count down the minutes? Once the cookies are ready they need to be shared out, how many would everyone get if shared equally?

Real life gives ample opportunities for math rich learning.

Measuring with duplo

What is your door number? Which bus do you get? Who is the oldest in the family and by how many years? Can you set the table for everyone- how many knives, forks and spoons is that in total? etc

Talk about times of the day, measure everyone’s shoes, put items in order of length, measure using duplo blocks, go on a missing number hunt, count toys, skip count on the trampoline, pair socks and count in 2s!

You can use play dough for learning about quantities, lengths, shapes, calculations and more!

Use sensory materials as a much more fun and engaging way to practice everyday number facts, recognise numerals and work on counting using 1:1 correspondence, such as this hidden numbers game! The possibilities with this are endless and you can find many here in my math archives. 

Role Play for Maths and Literacy Learning

Role play is absolutely the BEST way to include some playful math and literacy learning opportunities. You do NOT need to use worksheets (please don’t use worksheets- they are totally inappropriate developmentally at this stage!)

Role Play set ups help your child to read and write in a natural and context-rich way, not abstract and unrelated to everyday life. For eg, add labels to your toy kitchen so that they begin to notice them during play and ask you what the words say.

Make a play cafe and add a menu. set out a clipboard and pen for them to take orders using “play writing.” Add real take-away menus and cook books to enrich literacy learning through play possibilities further.

Garden Centre Imaginative Play

Consider setting up a role-play area with a different theme each week. Once you begin to set up role play spaces or games for your child you will actually find it very easy and natural to think of ways to incorporate some literacy and math.

You can find a whole host of role play and imaginative play ideas here on this website so browse some of those here to get started! 

You do not need lots of space or special resources. In fact, using real items from everyday life enhances the quality of role play and makes it much more relatable for your child. Eg using real seed packets, pots, soil, gardening tools and plants in a garden center role play game, is MUCH more meaningful as a learning experience than any toy versions could offer!

Some more examples you could start creating. Link these to a current interest or learning theme and BAM, you’ve got yourself a fabulous week of playful learning ideas ready to go!

Check out our Bakery ,  Hospital  ,  Shoe Shop,  Coffee Shop

and also consider…

Garden center with seed packets, shopping till, money and signs to read.

Doctor’s Surgery with waiting room signs, check in desk and a prescription note pad.

Garage with car parts signs, clipboard and parts order forms etc!

Sensory Writing

When you come to practice specific pre-writing skills, name learning, phonics and then sight words, use a sensory writing tray as your tool. Not only is it a LOT more fun, using a sensory material instead of paper and pencil actually INCREASES memory retention of the new concept.

Write in shaving cream, paint, salt or flour. Kinaesthetic learning is the fundamental key to learning and remembering new skills more effectively. You can theme these and even add scents too! Here is our entire collection of SENSORY WRITING TRAYS to browse through.

You can find my full PHONICS ACTIVITIES archives here too. Plenty of PLAYFUL ways to learn those phonemes, digraphs and trigraphs and tricky words. NONE involving a pencil so your child will not complain! 

phonics cups learning game

Encourage further writing, beyond play-based and role play writing, by making blank books and also by printing images of things they are most interested in currently.

They can stick these and label them or write captions, depending on the subject matter. You could do a whole project like this, based on Minecraft, Paw Patrol, Outer Space, Dragons..whatever catches their interest!

NUMERACY

In exactly the same manner, all early math concepts can be introduced and practiced through play. Involve them in baking and ask them to read the measurements, check the scales and find the temperature needed for the oven. Can they then set the timer and count down the minutes? Once the cookies are ready they need to be shared out, how many would everyone get if shared equally?

Real life gives ample opportunities for math rich learning.

Measuring with duplo

What is your door number? Which bus do you get? Who is the oldest in the family and by how many years? Can you set the table for everyone- how many knives, forks and spoons is that in total? etc

Talk about times of the day, measure everyone’s shoes, put items in order of length, measure using duplo blocks, go on a missing number hunt, count toys, skip count on the trampoline, pair socks and count in 2s!

You can use play dough for learning about quantities, lengths, shapes, calculations and more!

Use sensory materials as a much more fun and engaging way to practice everyday number facts, recognise numerals and work on counting using 1:1 correspondence, such as this hidden numbers game! The possibilities with this are endless and you can find many here in my math archives. 

Role Play for Maths and Literacy Learning

Role play is absolutely the BEST way to include some playful math and literacy learning opportunities. You do NOT need to use worksheets (please don’t use worksheets- they are totally inappropriate developmentally at this stage!)

More play & learning posts

Child draws with markers during a process art activity.

The Best Art In Early Childhood: Process Vs. Product

A box of wooden loose parts including blocks and stacking rings.

The Magic of Loose Parts: FAQs from Teachers & Parents

Baby plays with wooden blocks on the floor.

10 Benefits of Block Play: Unlock the Power of Blocks

A child balances stacking blocks during a block activity.

The Best Block Play Activities & Environments for Young Children

Nature Schooling Curriculum Round Up

Nature homeschool curriculum

Exploring Nature With Children by Raising Little Shoots(Love this and would add it to any of the other curricula without hesitation. It’s a really beautiful way to celebrate and observe nature and how it changes with the seasons.)

The Habitat Schoolhouse(I’m in love with this curriculum and, for me, it fits perfectly with Exploring Nature With Children. The lessons are all based on nature and the outdoors.)

The Peaceful Press(Main curriculum, but there are also standalone guides that make a lovely addition to your nature study or a different main curriculum of your choosing. There is religious content, but not so much that this curriculum can’t be used in secular study.)

A Year of Tales (Literature focused preschool curriculum inspired by Beatrix Potter tales. There is a small religious component, but if that’s not your cup of tea, you can adapt it for more secular study.)

Blossom & Root(A main curriculum and book seeds, which are guides inspired by fantastic children’s nature books that make wonderful “unit” studies.)

Wild Math(Takes math outside using nature as concrete manipulatives.)

Rooted Childhood(Charlotte Mason inspired homeschool resources.)

Christopherus Homeschool(homeschool Waldorf Curriculum)

Compilation of Free Nature Based Curricula

Brave Writer(Not nature-inspired, but a great writing resource to complement another nature program.)

Tanglewood Hollow(Waldorf inspired nature-based curriculum and nature studies/materials.)

Wild + Free subscription(homeschooling resources and inspiration + homeschooler meet up groups)

Nature Lesson Guides from Firefly Nature School(great for “unit” studies)

Little Acorn Learning (a wealth of Waldorf homeschooling resources)

 Nature Homeschool Printables

Bee unit study for nature based homeschool.

 These are some of my favorite shops to purchase nature-inspired printables to use in homeschooling unit studies and to complement larger curricula with hands on materials.

Chickie and Roo (lovely printables to complement your nature-based learning)

Red Oak Adventures(outdoor adventure gear for your entire family)

Brave Grown Home(nature guides, three-part cards, and other printables)

Honeycomb Cabin

Fiddlesticks Ed(lovely hand illustrated watercolor nature-based educational resources)

Brilliant Bungalow(homeschool curriculum and resources with beautiful homeschool bundles)

Twig and Moth (nature inspired illustrations and educational materials)

Steph Hathaway Designs(beautiful unit study bundles)

The Little Oak Learning(very Waldorfy feeling, focusing on storytelling (meet the Hiddles) and rhythms in a nature)

Kindergarten Toolkit (minimalist tools for preschoolers and Kindergarten)

***Many of these shops participate in seasonal bundles with other shops on this list!

Favorite Shops for Natural Toys

If you want to go all out with your homeschooling environment and create an atmosphere that will ultimately nurture your whole child, educating their head, hands, and heart, these shops have everything you need.
Remember though, less is more (the book Simplicity Parenting will tell you all about this). Higher quality materials that encourage open-ended and imaginative play will not only physically last a lot longer, they also have more staying power emotionally and developmentally for your child. Their play becomes much more creative and sophisticated. 

I feel I should take a moment here to say that it’s also okay to let your child “be bored.” Parents aren’t put on this planet to entertain their children. We’re here to create enriched and wholesome environments filled with love, so that our children thrive, become increasingly independent, lifelong and enthusiastic learners, divergent thinkers, and, ultimately, actualized human beings.

Child playing with a mud kitchen during nature homeschooling.

WoodNPoppy(maker of amazing mud kitchens like the one above!)

Nestling + Nook(one of my very favorites)

Pickwick & Sprout(books and gorgeous toys/homeschool materials for early childhood)

Mirus Toys(my favorite Etsy toy shop with loads of nature inspired Waldorf and Montessori educational toys, from puzzles to play dough stamps (animal tracks!) to matching, sorting, and manipulatives)

Geodessee Toys (Montessori felt boards and three-part cards)

Wiwiurka(wooden climbing equipment and toys for active play)

Dimokl Wooden Toys(lovely tree blocks and other wooden toys for when you don’t want to make them yourself)

Mamuma Bird(More lovely wooden objects, including puzzles for little ones. We purchased a beautiful wooden leaf puzzle from here.

All Alive(nature inspired Waldorf and Montessori toys)

Sea of Grass Studio(gorgeous handmade natural art supplies, such as beeswax crayons)

Magic Stones Art Shop (story stones for early literacy to bring your child’s favorite nature books to life)

Favorite Nature Schooling Books

Finally, if you’re looking for beautiful nature books to build your child(ren)’s library, books to complement any of the above curriculum (or to create your very own unique curriculum), books to get cozy with on rainy days while drying out after tramping through wet forests, or books for your own parenting/teaching journey, they’re on this list. 

Nature Anatomy, Farm Anatomy, and Food Anatomy books by Julia Rothman

A List of Beautiful Children’s Picture Books About Nature

Nature Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of the Natural World

The Snail and the Whale

Mud Pies and Other Recipes

The Story of the Root Children: Mini Edition

The Wondrous Workings of Planet Earth: Understanding Our World and Its Ecosystems

Foraging with Kids: 52 Wild and Free Edibles to Enjoy With Your Children 

Moon: A Peek-Through Picture Book

Nature All Around: Bugs

Pond Circle

Over and Under the Snow

Nature’s Day: Discover the world of wonder on your doorstep

Sing a Song of Seasons: A Nature Poem for Each Day of the Year

Goodbye Autumn, Hello Winter

The Organic Artist for Kids: A DIY Guide to Making Your Own Eco-Friendly Art Supplies from Nature

Tiny, Perfect Things

Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt

Botanicum: Welcome to the Museum

Botanicum and Animalium books

Animalium: Welcome to the Museum

A Kid’s Herb Book: For Children of All Ages

Outside Your Window: A First Book of Nature

All About the Bees

Bees: A Honeyed History

The Honeybee

About Trees

Trees: A Rooted History

Nature All Around: Trees

The Magic and Mystery of Trees

Because of an Acorn

Seeds and Trees: A children’s book about the power of words

I Am The Seed That Grew

For Very Tiny Ones

Adventures with Barefoot Critters

Counting with Barefoot Critters

For Parents/Caregivers

Homeschooling books for parents

Play The Forest School Way: Woodland Games and Crafts for Adventurous Kids

A Year of Forest School:
Outdoor Play and Skill-building Fun for Every Season

Forest School Adventure: Outdoor Skills and Play for Children

How to Raise a Wild Child: The Art and Science of Falling in Love with Nature 

Balanced and Barefoot: How Unrestricted Outdoor Play Makes for Strong, Confident, and Capable Children

There’s No Such Thing as Bad Weather: A Scandinavian Mom’s Secrets for Raising Healthy, Resilient, and Confident Kids

The Call of the Wild and Free: Reclaiming Wonder in Your Child’s Education

The Brave Learner: Finding Everyday Magic in Homeschool, Learning, and Life

The Read-Aloud Family: Making Meaningful and Lasting Connections with Your Kids

Simplicity Parenting: Using the Extraordinary Power of Less to Raise Calmer, Happier, and More Secure Kids

Handbook of Nature Study

Waldorf Books for Caregivers of the Very Young

You Are Your Child’s First Teacher: Encouraging Your Child’s Natural Development from Birth to Age Six

Heaven on Earth: A Handbook for Parents of Young Children

Beyond the Rainbow Bridge: Nurturing Our Children from Birth to Seven

The best books and resources for nature homeschooling your kids.


Raising a wild child with nature homeschooling curriculum.

Get in touch!

Chippie the Robot Dog for Learning & Play

Teach Your Child to Play Piano

60 Elementary Hands-On Math Teaching Ideas

40 Fun Magnet Experiments and Play Ideas

Hundred Chart Learning Ideas

Mother Goose Nursery Rhymes Teaching Ideas

Current Events for Kids: Websites and Teaching Ideas

Big Fat List of Summer Learning Ideas

COUNTING

HANDS-ON LEARNING

HOMESCHOOLING 

LANGUAGE ARTS

LEARNING FOR MOM

LEARNING GAMES

LIFE SKILLS

MATH

PLAY PRESCHOOL

READING 

SCIENCES

SENSORY

NATURE Getting them OUTSIDE as much as possible, for tree climbing, running, hill rolling and river splashing is fundamental. Taking the play outside is  hugely beneficial for everyone, including you.

Your child actually needs to develop upper body strength and control BEFORE being able to sit and write with control, so focus on gross motor games and coordination as much as possible, using equipment and crossing the midline activities too.

Try scavenger hunts, nature trails, identifying mini beasts and plants and large scale nature art like this. 

Nature land art for kids

Collect items from nature to make a loose parts collection for play.

Here are 60 nature play ideas using materials you can find freely outside!
(I LOVE THIS LINK.)

Take your sensory play outside and the clean up is then  no longer an issue either!

Almost all sensory play set ups also encourage the development of FINE MOTOR SKILLS, so this is another important reason to include them in your weekly plans.

Simply add tools to the play tray and the possibilities will increase. Scissors, straws, matchsticks and gems to play dough. Scoops, cups and tubes to a tray of rice. Jugs and funnels to a water tub. Shells and pebbles to damp sand etc.

This is by no means an exhaustive list, I truly could have written a whole book on this topic!

I just want to get you started with ideas to help you see that PLAYING IS LEARNING and that by spending a little time preparing resources and spaces, you can facilitate this effectively for your young child.

Choose one or two things to try this week by focusing on their current favorite topic and sticking with that. A week based on pirates? Brilliant! Focus everything around Jack and the Beanstalk? amazing!

Remember the key areas, use ideas from school to weave into it too, but mostly focus on what you know interests and works for your OWN CHILD and their current interests.

I aim to create a PROJECT BASED LEARNING post next, to help take that focus to the next level with older children, thus keeping the creativity alive as they learn in a playful way.

Sensory Writing

When you come to practice specific pre-writing skills, name learning, phonics and then sight words, use a sensory writing tray as your tool. Not only is it a LOT more fun, using a sensory material instead of paper and pencil actually INCREASES memory retention of the new concept.

Write in shaving cream, paint, salt or flour. Kinaesthetic learning is the fundamental key to learning and remembering new skills more effectively. You can theme these and even add scents too! Here is our entire collection of SENSORY WRITING TRAYS to browse through. They can stick these and label them or

NUMERACY

In exactly the same manner, all early math concepts can be introduced and practiced through play. Involve them in baking and ask them to read the measurements, check the scales and find the temperature needed for the oven. Can they then set the timer and count down the minutes? Once the cookies are ready they need to be shared out, how many would everyone get if shared equally?

Real life gives ample opportunities for math rich learning.

Measuring with duplo

What is your door number? Which bus do you get? Who is the oldest in the family and by how many years? Can you set the table for everyone- how many knives, forks and spoons is that in total? etc

Talk about times of the day, measure everyone’s shoes, put items in order of length, measure using duplo blocks, go on a missing number hunt, count toys, skip count on the trampoline, pair socks and count in 2s!

You can use play dough for learning about quantities, lengths, shapes, calculations and more!

Use sensory materials as a much more fun and engaging way to practice everyday number facts, recognise numerals and work on counting using 1:1 correspondence, such as this hidden numbers game! The possibilities with this are endless and you can find many here in my math archives. 

Role Play for Maths and Literacy Learning

Role play is absolutely the BEST way to include some playful math and literacy learning opportunities. You do NOT need to use worksheets (please don’t use worksheets- they are totally inappropriate developmentally at this stage!)

Role Play set ups help your child to read and write in a natural and context-rich way, not abstract and unrelated to everyday life. For eg, add labels to your toy kitchen so that they begin to notice them during play and ask you what the words say.

Make a play cafe and add a menu. set out a clipboard and pen for them to take orders using “play writing.” Add real take-away menus and cook books to enrich literacy learning through play possibilities further.

Garden Centre Imaginative Play

Consider setting up a role-play area with a different theme each week. Once you begin to set up role play spaces or games for your child you will actually find it very easy and natural to think of ways to incorporate some literacy and math.

You can find a whole host of role play and imaginative play ideas here on this website so browse some of those here to get started! 

You do not need lots of space or special resources. In fact, using real items from everyday life enhances the quality of role play and makes it much more relatable for your child. Eg using real seed packets, pots, soil, gardening tools and plants in a garden center role play game, is MUCH more meaningful as a learning experience than any toy versions could offer!

Some more examples you could start creating. Link these to a current interest or learning theme and BAM, you’ve got yourself a fabulous week of playful learning ideas ready to go!

Check out our Bakery ,  Hospital  ,  Shoe Shop,  Coffee Shop

and also consider…

Garden center with seed packets, shopping till, money and signs to read.

Doctor’s Surgery with waiting room signs, check in desk and a prescription note pad.

Garage with car parts signs, clipboard and parts order forms etc!

Sensory Writing

When you come to practice specific pre-writing skills, name learning, phonics and then sight words, use a sensory writing tray as your tool. Not only is it a LOT more fun, using a sensory material instead of paper and pencil actually INCREASES memory retention of the new concept.

Write in shaving cream, paint, salt or flour. Kinaesthetic learning is the fundamental key to learning and remembering new skills more effectively. You can theme these and even add scents too! Here is our entire collection of SENSORY WRITING TRAYS to browse through.

You can find my full PHONICS ACTIVITIES archives here too. Plenty of PLAYFUL ways to learn those phonemes, digraphs and trigraphs and tricky words. NONE involving a pencil so your child will not complain! 

phonics cups learning game

Encourage further writing, beyond play-based and role play writing, by making blank books and also by printing images of things they are most interested in currently.

They can stick these and label them or write captions, depending on the subject matter. You could do a whole project like this, based on Minecraft, Paw Patrol, Outer Space, Dragons..whatever catches their interest!

NUMERACY

In exactly the same manner, all early math concepts can be introduced and practiced through play. Involve them in baking and ask them to read the measurements, check the scales and find the temperature needed for the oven. Can they then set the timer and count down the minutes? Once the cookies are ready they need to be shared out, how many would everyone get if shared equally?

Real life gives ample opportunities for math rich learning.

Measuring with duplo

What is your door number? Which bus do you get? Who is the oldest in the family and by how many years? Can you set the table for everyone- how many knives, forks and spoons is that in total? etc

Talk about times of the day, measure everyone’s shoes, put items in order of length, measure using duplo blocks, go on a missing number hunt, count toys, skip count on the trampoline, pair socks and count in 2s!

You can use play dough for learning about quantities, lengths, shapes, calculations and more!

Use sensory materials as a much more fun and engaging way to practice everyday number facts, recognise numerals and work on counting using 1:1 correspondence, such as this hidden numbers game! The possibilities with this are endless and you can find many here in my math archives. 

Role Play for Maths and Literacy Learning

Role play is absolutely the BEST way to include some playful math and literacy learning opportunities. You do NOT need to use worksheets (please don’t use worksheets- they are totally inappropriate developmentally at this stage!)

More play & learning posts

Child draws with markers during a process art activity.

The Best Art In Early Childhood: Process Vs. Product

A box of wooden loose parts including blocks and stacking rings.

The Magic of Loose Parts: FAQs from Teachers & Parents

Baby plays with wooden blocks on the floor.

10 Benefits of Block Play: Unlock the Power of Blocks

A child balances stacking blocks during a block activity.

The Best Block Play Activities & Environments for Young Children

Benefits of Interactive Learning:

Teaching Kids in a Tech World 

play & learning

Interactive learning is an educational approach based on kids’ active participation. Instead of a video or lecture, children learn by playing, collaborating with others, and exploring their environment. Keep reading to learn about the benefits of interactive learning in early childhood.

A toddler plays in a sand table during an interactive learning activity.

 Experts recommend limiting screen time, especially during early childhood (0-8 years). That’s because screen time is a passive activity. It doesn’t give children opportunities to practice social skills, interact with their world, or be creative.

Technology can still support child development, though. Caregivers can use apps like Earlybird to discover fun interactive learning activities for early learners.

What is Interactive Learning?

Interactive learning is an effective educational approach based on children’s active participation. Rather than just watching a video or completing a coloring sheet, children learn by playing with toys and materials, collaborating with others, and/or exploring their environment.

Research shows that interactive learning is very effective in promoting school success and understanding concepts.

Passive or skills-based activities limit how much children can participate in play and learning. Generally, coloring sheets, flashcards, worksheets, apps, or watching tv and videos are not interactive learning activities. Still, there are always creative ways to make these activities playful and interactive.

The Earlybird app is a free resource with interactive, play-based activities for children 0 to 6. Throughout this post, discover how Earlybird can support children’s interactive learning at home or in the classroom.

Benefits of Interactive Learning

#1 Activities target multiple learning domains.

The learning domains in early childhood are physical, language, cognitive, and social-emotional development. Doing flashcards may help a child practice cognitive development, but playing in a sensory bin with a friend can help a child develop skills in all learning domains.

#2 Children can build relationships and social skills.

Children’s brains are wired from birth for social connections with other humans. That’s why cuddles soothe babies, and toddlers keep an eye on parents while exploring new places.

Adults play alongside children during new activities until children are ready to play independently. In classrooms or homes that promote interactive learning, children know they ask adults for help. This builds trust, collaboration, language, and community.

Older children learn to collaborate with peers during interactive learning. Kids miss out on this social skill development during passive or skills-based activities.

#3 Children can be more curious and creative.

Children are naturally curious and creative, but these skills take practice too. Since interactive activities are hands-on, children can explore materials, the environment, and their interests.

During interactive play, children play with materials in new ways, practice creative problem-solving, and act out their own ideas. Young children do not learn how to impact their world by watching a video.

#4 Interactive learning activities are adaptable.

Interactive learning activities can be adapted to the developmental level of the child. Children of different ages, abilities, and stages of play development can participate together. It is also easier for adults to scaffold children’s learning.

Puzzles or worksheets are skills-based activities designed for a specific skill level. Painting or storytime with puppets are flexible activities that can support diverse developmental levels.

On the Earlybird app, you can discover a new curated list of activities based on your child’s age and abilities.

#5 Children make real-world connections.

Interactive learning activities allow children to connect to and understand their world. Children learn much more about the world on a scavenger hunt or while playing dress up than they can from a tv show or a coloring sheet.

What Are Interactive Learning Materials?

Interactive learning materials include open-ended materials such as crayons and paint, sensory bins, baby dolls, animal figures, blocks, play kitchens, loose parts, and more. These materials are open-ended because children can use them in different, creative ways.

Turning Household Items into Play since 1992(ish)

My FREE list of Household Items you can turn into LOOSE PARTS PLAY for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.

Turn that muffin tin in the back of your cabinet into a play prop.

Close-ended materials are toys such as puzzles, shape sorters, and stackers. These materials are designed to be “completed.” Close-ended materials can still be interactive if a child uses them with a friend or an engaged adult.

Passive activities such as tv or videos can be educational, but kids are less likely to retain information. Educational apps can be interactive, but kids interact with buzzes and beeps on a screen, not with people or the world around them.

What Are The Disadvantages Of Interactive Learning?

Disadvantages:

  • It can be harder to assess a child’s knowledge or specific skill level.

  • Interactive activities may take more time to prepare, supervise, and clean up.

A child watches a tablet while wearing headphones.

Assessing Child Development

Child assessment may be simpler using a skill-based activity. Parents and teachers may prefer worksheets, flashcards, apps, or skills-based activities because they can quickly capture a child’s skill level.

Assessment during interactive learning takes more time and attention because an adult needs to observe a child during play. A milestone tracker, like the one on the Earlybird app, helps to easily track child development.

Always take questions or concerns about your child’s development to the pediatrician. 

Prepping Activities Takes Time & Effort

Interactive learning activities may take more time and effort to prepare, supervise, and clean up. For busy parents and educators, this is a hurdle.

While not as simple as turning on the tv, interactive activities can still be easy and low-prep. Earlybird created an activity library to share fun, accessible activities that won’t overwhelm busy adults.

More Easy, Play-Based Activities:

Is Interactive Learning More Effective?

Yes, interactive learning is an effective educational approach. Research shows that interactive learning effectively promotes school success and understanding of concepts. Especially in the early years, children learn more through hands-on, play-based activities.

It’s not hard to imagine that more learning happens if children are engaged and having fun. 

Plenty of time for unstructured play is important, but kids also need adult guidance. Parents and educators can be intentional with interactive learning. Different activities will target different objectives.

You can learn more about your child’s early development for free on the Earlybird app.

Interactive Learning with Earlybird

Many apps claim to be educational and interactive for preschoolers, toddlers, and even infants. But children get the benefits of interactive learning when screens are turned off.

The Earlybird app starts on your phone but inspires hands-on, interactive play. It’s like a curated Pinterest page for your child or early childhood classroom. Each activity will have children learning through interaction with toys, materials, adults, siblings, peers, or their environment.

Parents and caregivers are busy! Having an accessible, easy-to-use resource saves time and effort. And Earlybird’s whole-child approach matches the research on what is best for early learners. Enjoy features such as:

  • Activity library for children ages 0 to 6

  • Low-prep ideas with accessible materials (that you probably have at home!)

  • Milestone tracker

  • Quick-read or quick-watch parenting resources

Earlybird is committed to making resources accessible to everyone. Most features are available on the free version of the Earlybird app.

You can also access a free trial of Earlybird’s premium plan to explore printable and the ask-an-expert feature!

Interactive learning helps children build essential skills like curiosity, creativity, and collaboration. Kids will be more interested and invested in the process, leading to a lifelong love of learning.

Seasonal Themes

January


Colors Theme


Winter Theme


Feelings Theme


Shadow Theme

February


Transportation Theme


Valentine’s Theme


5 Senses Theme




Dr. Seuss Theme

March


Shapes Theme


St. Patrick’s Theme


Forest Animals Theme


Easter Theme

April


Dental Health


Spring Theme


Bug Theme


Earth Theme

May


Garden Theme


Wetland Theme


Butterfly Theme


Weather Theme

June


Desert Animals Theme


Zoo Theme


Summer Theme


4th of July

July


Picnic Theme


Ocean Animals Theme


Birds Theme


Camping Theme

August


Dinosaur Theme


Rainforest Theme


Pirate Theme


All About Me!

September


Farm Theme


Frog Theme

Apples Theme


Fall Theme

October


Tree Theme


Monster Theme


Pumpkin theme


Halloween Theme

November


Nocturnal Animals


Space Theme


Thanksgiving Theme


Fruits and Vegetables

December


Polar Animals Theme


Gingerbread Theme


Christmas Theme


New Year’s Theme

Bonus Themes

These are extra themes that you can use anytime throughout the year to fill in for a month that has more than 4 weeks in it.


Pet Theme


Community Workers


Fairy Tale Theme

Human Body Theme

Playful Storytelling – Using a Story Bag, Basket or Prop Box

playful storytelling in eylf

Have you ever tried using a story bag , basket or prop box to help you share a story with young children? If you sometimes get frustrated trying to keep a child's attention while reading stories why not try making this time a little more playful and interactive for those short attention spans and put together a few story bags that you can use over and over.

Story bags are a fantastic literacy resource (especially useful for those children who might be reluctant readers, not very interested in books or ‘sitting still' to listen!) and the best part is you can keep adding to your collection over time for very little cost.

What is a Story Bag, Basket or Prop Box?

You can build a story bag, basket or box around a new story or old favourite. You will want to include a copy of the book (of course!) and then a small collection of props that will help you to give the story life – to lift the words off the page and stimulate imaginations and interest while making sure the story is meaningful and fun! They also introduce a wonderful tactile experience to storytelling and this can help educators and parents introduce and engage visually impaired children as well. A story bag or basket provides a hands on learning opportunity for all children no matter their age group or developmental stage.

The fun part is deciding what will go into your story bag and what items you can use to represent and correspond to scenes, characters and special moments in the book you have chosen. Some common materials used in story bags and baskets that you could start with include:

  • Soft toys

  • Farm/zoo animals

  • Little people/Lego figures

  • Small boxes

  • Sticks/grass/hay/wood cookies

  • Finger and hand puppets

  • Visual aids, cards, calendar pictures, coasters

  • Textured material

  • Mats, cloths, placemats.

The suggestions above include just a small selection of what you might include in your story bag. It really is up to you and how you want to engage the children and tell the story. Don't feel you need to be limited to what will fit into a bag or basket though – there is no reason you can't incorporate larger materials and props into your storytelling ‘bag' and set up using a tray, large floor space or a table.

How do I know what to put in a story bag?

To help you decide what to look for to begin compiling and using your first bag try answering the following questions:

  1. What 3 stories are you most familiar with and confident reading at the moment?

  2. What is the age of the child/children you are reading to the most often?

  3. Name the main characters in each of those stories – do they have a special tool/toy/magical item/saying etc that makes their character unique and well known?

  4. If you had to set up a play for each of the books what scenes and props would you identify as ‘must have?'

You also need to decide on the type of story bag you want to put together. There are of course many fancy sets you can purchase already done for you but why spend money on something you can easily put together yourself  in less than half and hour and use over and over again! All you need to start is a canvas bag or large pillowcase, or an old basket or even a cardboard box!

NEED FREE ACTIVITY & EXTENSION IDEAS FOR YOUR PROGRAM?

This mini play planner resource is packed with play-based activity ideas already linked to learning areas taken from my popular full version play planners. 

Budget friendly ideas to support play based learning for Babies & toddlers through to preschool...using everyday materials with a focus on sustainability & upcycling!

GET NEW IDEAS!

Here are some ideas to get your creative educator mind thinking about the possibilities and the direction you want to take as you compile your Story Bag.

  1. You just want a story bag that uses simple everyday materials as the props that correspond clearly to the book and will help you to tell the story as you read(this bag type works well for babies and toddlers).

  2. You want the story bag to be an interactive sensory experience for the children. For this type of bag think about how you will stimulate and engage the senses through the materials you choose. Going on a Bear Hunt is a fantastic book to explore with the senses. You might set up something outside using grass, mud etc or perhaps place items into zip lock bags or similar so younger children can squish and investigate. Keep an eye out for some clever Bear Hunt bag ideas further down.

  3. You want the children to help you to tell the story through dramatic play and larger scale materials and props.

  4. You want to create a story bag that has the capacity to provide more playful learning and extension experiences after the story has been told. So it might contain some additional activity ideas, craft materials, fiction books relating to the story (e.g Bear Hunt/Where do bears live?)

  5. You want to challenge current language and speaking skills so you will want to put together a story bag with props that will help children to make up or re-tell their own version of the story if they want to while you introduce topics for discussion. Can they change the ending of the current story? What characters do they like the best? Why? What character would they like to change if they could? Why? You get the idea! Obviously you need to make sure you are keeping your expectations age appropriate when introducing this type of story bag, basket or box.

Find out how to make storytelling a more playful and interactive experience for children by setting up and using a story bag, basket or prop box . Lots of ideas for EYLF, early childhood educators, teachers and homeschool here!!

How do I use a Story Bag, basket or Box?

Look at the 5 different types of story bags I have mentioned above and decide on what type of bag you are setting up or wanting to use as part of your learning outcomes today.

  1. You might sit down with the children and ask what they think is inside the bag as you give them clues about the story.

  2. You could set all of the bag items out on the floor and invite children to choose the materials to help tell the story as you read.

  3. You could tell the story just using the props you have rather than reading from the book or you could combine a little of each.

  4. You could provide the bag and ask if the children want to tell you the story instead.

  5. You could tell the story then follow up with some themed activities and craft.

  6. You could leave a couple of story bags or baskets on shelves or hanging up in the room for children to choose as they wish and perhaps add to their own dramatic play experiences.

  7. You could use the story bag props as a writing prompt for older children to create their own story. Or perhaps as a prompt towards oral storytelling.

  8. You could set up the story bag props as a hands on sensory experience that goes beyond just the words of the story and invites creative thinking, gross motor play and tactile stimulation.

Introducing story bags to your learning resources can provide children with a fun hands on approach to exploring interests and extending on emerging skills and learning outcomes including:

  • Story sequencing.

  • Public speaking.

  • Enjoying listening to spoken written words and then using that language in their play and learning.

  • Listening to stories with increasing attention and recall.

  • Gaining confidence.

  • Using new words in different contexts.

  • Taking turns in a conversation.

  • Solving problems.

  • Listening to others.

  • Negotiating roles.

  • Being able to sequence and clarify their thinking, ideas and feelings. 

  • Using language to imagine and re-create story roles, real life and imaginary experiences.

Are you ready to try creating and using your own story bags,baskets and boxes? Remember that the objective is to make reading and using language fun…not complicated! So start small with your favourite story and just a few props (especially if reading to babies and toddlers) . Throw it all in a bag or basket then sit down and enjoy together. Observe how the children respond, engage and enjoy the storytelling.

If you are stuck trying to think of a book or theme to start with I have you covered with this huge list of ideas and inspiration below that I have collected for you from around the web. Make sure to click on the links under each photo collage to learn more about how each bag, basket or prop box was put together and how the children played with them. I've even separated them into book titles and themes for you to make it even easier to find that favourite!

Dear Zoo Theme

Find out how to make storytelling a more playful and interactive experience for children by setting up and using a story bag, basket or prop box . Lots of ideas for EYLF, early childhood educators, teachers and homeschool here!!

Inspiration Sources:

Adventures and Play created their own Dear Zoo animal enclosures to help them explore the story.

Very Messy Mummy shared these special Dear Zoo packages with her 12 month old – imagine the fun unwrapping to see what is inside!

Stimulating Learning with Rachel created this simple story basket. Make sure to click through and take a look at the rest of her basket photos for even more fantastic inspiration!

Natural Beach Living put together this toddler friendly Dear Zoo box for hours of play.

It's All About Stories set up a ‘Communication Friendly Space' and then made props with the children so they could take home and retell the story to family.

I loved the use of different coloured and sized boxes in this collection of story props found on Pinterest.

Going on a Bear Hunt

Find out how to make storytelling a more playful and interactive experience for children by setting up and using a story bag, basket or prop box . Lots of ideas for EYLF, early childhood educators, teachers and homeschool here!!

Inspiration Sources:

Little Worlds, Big Adventures used their Playmobil family and interesting sensory elements to explore this classic story in a hands on way!

Over on Childhood 101 Lauren showed us how to make a going on a bear hunt story sensory tub.

Lauren also shared her DIY Bear Hunt sensory bottles (as well as lots of other activities to bring the story alive) on  Teacher Types

Stimulating Learning with Rachel created this inviting Bear Hunt small world for the children to explore using natural materials and simple props.

Reading Confetti used these household objects to provide the children with opportunities to create sound effects for the story. Use this idea to create your own ‘sound effects' team as you read.

 

Find out how to make storytelling a more playful and interactive experience for children by setting up and using a story bag, basket or prop box . Lots of ideas for EYLF, early childhood educators, teachers and homeschool here!!

Goldilocks and the 3 Bears

Find out how to make storytelling a more playful and interactive experience for children by setting up and using a story bag, basket or prop box . Lots of ideas for EYLF, early childhood educators, teachers and homeschool here!!

Inspiration Sources:

The Imagination Tree put together a simple storytelling basket and also introduced real life bowls, spoons and porridge oats for some wonderful hands on dramatic play and story re-telling.

To extend the play why not try their sensory porridge oats playdough recipe!

Sun Hats and Wellie Boots created this sweet little story box for the children to explore and play with in their own way. Love that little red teacup!!

The 3 Little Pigs

Find out how to make storytelling a more playful and interactive experience for children by setting up and using a story bag, basket or prop box . Lots of ideas for EYLF, early childhood educators, teachers and homeschool here!!

Inspiration Sources:

Turn boxes into stick, straw and brick houses…simple but fun! Found on Pinterest here.

Stimulating Learning with Rachel  shows us how simple it can be to put together a story basket with her 3 Little Pigs version. make sure to view the rest of her baskets and story small worlds here.

Adventures and Play turned their wooden blocks into clever and interactive storytelling props. Children will find so may ways to use these!

Make sure to pop over and visit Sun Hats & Wellie Boots to see how they took the storytelling outside using nature and lots of wonderful outdoor dramatic play. Loved these ideas and the houses they built!

Find out how to make storytelling a more playful and interactive experience for children by setting up and using a story bag, basket or prop box . Lots of ideas for EYLF, early childhood educators, teachers and homeschool here!!

Storytelling Props added to tuff spot trays create literacy and language small worlds easily modified for both younger and older children.

Find out how to make storytelling a more playful and interactive experience for children by setting up and using a story bag, basket or prop box . Lots of ideas for EYLF, early childhood educators, teachers and homeschool here!!

Pinterest Source

Find out how to make storytelling a more playful and interactive experience for children by setting up and using a story bag, basket or prop box . Lots of ideas for EYLF, early childhood educators, teachers and homeschool here!!

Pinterest Source

3 Billy Goats Gruff

Find out how to make storytelling a more playful and interactive experience for children by setting up and using a story bag, basket or prop box . Lots of ideas for EYLF, early childhood educators, teachers and homeschool here!!

Inspiration Sources:

The Imagination Tree created this inviting little storytelling basket with just a few goat figures and rainbow arches. Pop over to take a closer look at how Anna put together the felt play mat!

It All About Stories shares some interesting activities and props to have fun with this classic story!

Little Worlds introduced playdough as a sensory element and a dish of little loose parts to invite engagement in this story tray invitation.

Toddler Favourites

Find out how to make storytelling a more playful and interactive experience for children by setting up and using a story bag, basket or prop box . Lots of ideas for EYLF, early childhood educators, teachers and homeschool here!!

Inspiration Sources:

Toddlers love farm play, songs and stories and this story basket from Little Worlds is sure to be a fun (yet probably noisy!) experience.

A Few Shortcuts shares some ideas for putting together preschool story baskets – make sure to visit the other baskets in the collection for more ideas!

Small Potatoes shows us how the children worked hard to help create the props for one of my all time favourite stories – The Little Mouse, The red ripe strawberry and the big hungry bear! I have been reading that book to different generations of children for years and love how you can create a sense of anticipation and the children feel they are part of the story too.

Find out how to make storytelling a more playful and interactive experience for children by setting up and using a story bag, basket or prop box . Lots of ideas for EYLF, early childhood educators, teachers and homeschool here!!

Goodnight Gorilla is another favourite story here and Little Worlds turned it into a dramatic play storytelling experience with just a few simple props. Make sure to visit this page to see all of their other story baskets too!

Find out how to make storytelling a more playful and interactive experience for children by setting up and using a story bag, basket or prop box . Lots of ideas for EYLF, early childhood educators, teachers and homeschool here!!

Miss Polly is always a lot of fun to act out and most children already know the rhyming song so why not add some simple materials to extend to storytelling play like Adventures and Play did here.

The Thoughtful Spot Day Care used a flip lid bin to help tell the story of ‘the old woman who swallowed a fly'– can't you just imagine the fun with this one!! A clever and creative resource idea.

Another story often read over and over is the classic ‘Are you my mother?‘ Inspiration Laboratories reminds us that even babies and toddlers love story props and being given the opportunity to recreate a favourite in their own way!

Jack & the Beanstalk

Find out how to make storytelling a more playful and interactive experience for children by setting up and using a story bag, basket or prop box . Lots of ideas for EYLF, early childhood educators, teachers and homeschool here!!

Inspiration Sources:

A simple hands on storytelling tray that invites children to direct their own story, play and roles. Sourced via Pinterest.

So many opportunities for children or educators to set up and tell the story using some or all of the creative props in this story basket compiled by Sun Hats and Wellie Boots!

Such a creative invitation to play, build and re-tell the story of Jack and the Beanstalk story using Lego. Sourced via Pinterest.

Wombat Stew

Find out how to make storytelling a more playful and interactive experience for children by setting up and using a story bag, basket or prop box . Lots of ideas for EYLF, early childhood educators, teachers and homeschool here!!

Inspiration Sources:

Children will enjoy exploring and using the props and materials in this dramatic play invitation to help tell this classic story. Lots of sensory and loose parts fun here! Sourced via Pinterest

@Ronniecraft over on Instagram shared her small world tray set up ready to tell the story of Wombat Stew. Love the colours and old teapot!

Kate from Laughing Kids Learn provided the opportunity for her children to learn more about Australian animals and plants while getting messy and creative as they made their own wombat stew.

Owl Babies

Find out how to make storytelling a more playful and interactive experience for children by setting up and using a story bag, basket or prop box . Lots of ideas for EYLF, early childhood educators, teachers and homeschool here!!

Inspiration Sources:

Rachel from Stimulating Learning put together this story basket filled with materials of different textures and sizes. Story stones, soft animals and leaves all play a role.

Make these very cute pom pom baby owls to add to your story bag or basket. The Fairy and The Frog tell you how here.

See what Paths to Literacy included in their version of an Owl Babies story box for deafblind or visually impaired children.

These story spoons would make a cute addition to an Owl Babies story bag, basket or prop box. See how the very creative Imagination Tree made them here.

The Tiger Who Came To Tea

Find out how to make storytelling a more playful and interactive experience for children by setting up and using a story bag, basket or prop box . Lots of ideas for EYLF, early childhood educators, teachers and homeschool here!!

Inspiration Sources:

Another of my long time favourite stories to tell for a range of age groups!

Learning 4 Kids provided a story sensory tub and materials to help the children set up a special tiger tea party! Lots of interesting investigation occurred with the addition of real teabags and little cups of tea to pour.

It's All About Stories set up a ‘story cafe' around this book. Tiger snacks, craft activities and story props like real china cups added to the fun of story re-telling, imaginative and open ended play!

Who could resist this sweet tea party invitation with a tiger in the garden?  Sourced via Pinterest

The Gingerbread Man

Find out how to make storytelling a more playful and interactive experience for children by setting up and using a story bag, basket or prop box . Lots of ideas for EYLF, early childhood educators, teachers and homeschool here!!

Inspiration Sources:

Who doesn't love telling and acting out the story of The Gingerbread Man? 3 very different story basket and tray ideas for you to explore over at Sun Hats & Wellie Boots, Pinterest and Stimulating Learning with Rachel.

I'm rather in awe of the story basket tree over at Sun Hats & Wellie Boots – beautiful idea we can all try outdoors!

Author Julia Donaldson Favourites

I decided one of my favourite authors for young children deserved a category of her own – I hope you find a few ideas to try with some of these well known stories!

Find out how to make storytelling a more playful and interactive experience for children by setting up and using a story bag, basket or prop box . Lots of ideas for EYLF, early childhood educators, teachers and homeschool here!!

Inspiration Sources:

See how Treading on Lego uses those Lego pieces creatively to help set up and tell the story of A squash and a Squeeze!

Room on a Broom is always fun to read – make it a little more interactive by putting together a story basket similar to this one from The Imagination Tree or this one from Play & Learn Everyday.

Play & Learn Everyday also shares a Stick Man snowy adventure scene to invite exploration, anticipation and storytelling.

Who doesn't love the gruffalo? Why not try telling the story using these shadow stick puppets and DIY box featured over at Ecole Petite Section.

Smiling like Sunshine used a few everyday soft toys and props to set up a role play area to help her son act out and re-tell his favourite story ‘Monkey Puzzle'.

Oceans & Water

Find out how to make storytelling a more playful and interactive experience for children by setting up and using a story bag, basket or prop box . Lots of ideas for EYLF, early childhood educators, teachers and homeschool here!!

Inspiration Sources:

The Snail & the Whale is another Julia Donaldson story book but I wanted to include this example in my ocean category because I just love how all the little elements come together to help tell this lovely story. Beautiful resources for a story bag. Shared on Instagram by Heather @A Reusable Life.

The OT Toolbox explored the book ‘Make way for Ducklings' using some hands on props set up as a story sensory table. Lots to engage the senses and vocabulary here!

Loving this small sensory tray put together by Little Fish to help spark imagination and storytelling. Another interesting way to introduce the book Snail and the Whale.

Play and Learn

Role Play set ups help your child to read and write in a natural and context-rich way, not abstract and unrelated to everyday life. For eg, add labels to your toy kitchen so that they begin to notice them during play and ask you what the words say.

Make a play cafe and add a menu. set out a clipboard and pen for them to take orders using “play writing.” Add real take-away menus and cook books to enrich literacy learning through play possibilities further.

Garden Centre Imaginative Play

Consider setting up a role-play area with a different theme each week. Once you begin to set up role play spaces or games for your child you will actually find it very easy and natural to think of ways to incorporate some literacy and math.

I have a whole host of role play and imaginative play ideas here on this website so browse some of those here to get started! 

You do not need lots of space or special resources. In fact, using real items from everyday life enhances the quality of role play and makes it much more relatable for your child. Eg using real seed packets, pots, soil, gardening tools and plants in a garden center role play game, is MUCH more meaningful as a learning experience than any toy versions could offer!

Some more examples you could start creating. Link these to a current interest or learning theme and BAM, you’ve got yourself a fabulous week of playful learning ideas ready to go!

Check out our Bakery ,  Hospital  ,  Shoe Shop,  Coffee Shop

and also consider…

Garden center with seed packets, shopping till, money and signs to read.

Doctor’s Surgery with waiting room signs, check in desk and a prescription note pad.

Garage with car parts signs, clipboard and parts order forms etc!

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Intro to Play-Based Learning:


What is it, why is it important, how to do it

play based learning intro

You may have heard before that play is the work of children. But what does that mean? How can play possibly align with curriculum, meet standards, and help our students learn? The truth is: children learn best through play – it takes fewer repetitions to fully learn a new concept when it is learned through play and exploration. No wonder so many early childhood educators are realigning their focus to Play-Based Learning.

Play isn’t a break from learning. Quite the contrary, it’s a time where your little learners are developing skills that can’t be taught with worksheets. If you have been like Jack, all work and no play, and need some help with play-based learning, you’re in the right place!

play-based learning for prek

Play-Based Learning – What Is It?

Play-based learning means that children are engaging in materials that are interesting to them, allowed to make choices in their environment, and using their own imagination to construct meaning with materials.

With play-based learning, the teacher still uses standards, but sets up an environment in which children have options for learning. Materials are at the child’s eye level, organized simply for easy clean up, and facilitate interactions. The child’s interest and engagement direct the learning.

play-based learning ece

Why Is Play-Based Learning Important?

We are our students’ first exposure to a school setting. We have a responsibility to create safety and enjoyment in the classroom, to set up a love of learning that will last far beyond early childhood. Play-based learning is step one.

When children are engaged in play, they are constructing meaning from their world. They are practicing new skills in a way that is meaningful to them, and they have the opportunity to experiment with different outcomes. For example, a child might notice, “I put the big block on top and my tower fell down. What if I put it on bottom this time?” That same child could sit through whole lesson on structurally sound towers and never make that connection – but through play (experiment and failure), she is able to come to the conclusion herself.

intro play based learning preschool

But How Do I Do It?

The first step of play-based learning is to use the classroom as the third teacher. (Parents are the first teacher; you are the second teacher.) Take a look at your room – is it set up for children to access materials or are your shelves storage for you? Can children move around freely and safely? It is crucial that the students feel some ownership of the space to encourage exploration.

Next, be ready to model play. In the block example above, perhaps the student hasn’t figured out why her tower is toppling. Then a teacher can sit down and build her own tower, putting the bigger block on top and letting the tower fall. The teacher models thinking aloud, “My tower fell down when I put this block on top. This block is big and heavy. I wonder if it’s too heavy for the top? Maybe I could put it on the bottom?” This modeling gives students a guideline for their own thinking about the problem. The teacher does not tell the child what to do or how to solve the problem. The teacher shows the thinking about the problem. The child may or may not “catch it” at first but will begin to think about possibilities on her own.

Finally, set your success criteria. Are you working on one-to-one correspondence? What different play opportunities would encourage that thinking? Maybe the goal for the week is “I can set the table in the home-living center with one plate, one fork, and one spoon for every chair.” Share the goal with the students, and let them practice on their own. What if they don’t? Relax. Notice it when it happens: “You put one plate for each chair. Four plates, four chairs.” But let the children play and build that understanding as they grow.

Play-based learning will change the whole atmosphere of your classroom – your students will be more engaged, they will learn crucial social-emotional skills, and you will feel the joy of helping students explore and learn in a way that is most meaningful for them!

What are your questions about play-based learning? Let us know in the comments below.

Check out some of my favorite tools for preschool play for different centers and types of learning.

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The closer Nora gets to 3-years-old, the more I realize her interests are changing and growing faster and faster. She is starting to use things in new and interesting ways! This has forced me to do some intense observation to try and figure out exactly what she needs out right now. Nora's Montessori toddler materials at nearly 3-years-old include a variety of fine motor trays, language, and now sensorial work!  This post contains affiliate links at no cost to you.  Here's a look at her tray work!  Shape Sorting  -- she kept asking for me to take this out and has used a bunch, I thought we were past it!  Bead Lacing  -- she is moving away from this and so actually removed it after I took a picture.  Simple jigsaw puzzles -- this is a vintage puzzle that is getting to the end of its life, but Nora loves it. Here's a  similar style .  Lacing with  Needle  -- a simple DIY to introduce sewing, she is also moving on from this to a slightly more diffi

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If I had to describe toddlers in two words, I would use autonomy and practical life. Toddlers have a strong need to listen to their inner drives and to work to become independent little humans. Any chance that we can give them to work on their independence is an opportunity for us to fulfill this need. Plus, in a practical sense, if a toddler can do something independently, they are often much happier to participate and it makes for an easier and happier experience for everyone. 

Now, practical life. Practical life describes all the real life tasks that we as humans need to do every day to function. The things we need to do to care for ourselves, for others, and for the world around us. I've said this before but toddlers are creatures of the real world. They love to work on practical tasks and be involved in all the things you do everyday around your home. When you can prepare your environment to allow for a toddler to engage in practical life work in an independent way, then

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Inquiry Projects:

Start with a Child’s Question and Let Curiosity Lead the Way

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Children can explore and find answers to their questions anywhere.

Learn how curiosity can impact education with inquiry-based learning by starting with a question and empowering children to have agency in their learning.

When we embark on the complex journey of learning, we start with a question. Anyone who has spent even just a few hours with a young child has seen the impact of curiosity in action: Why is that butterfly gray but the others are so colorful? What do lizards eat? How do mangrove seeds travel so far? Or my four-year-old’s latest, “Mom, why can you feel and hear the wind, but you can’t see the wind?”

Inquiry-based learning starts with a question and empowers children to have agency in their learning. It propels them to take ownership and expand their knowledge by problem-solving and making real-world connections. Inquiry-based learning looks different across settings, but the purpose behind inquiry-based learning remains the same. Children learn best when they are interested in what they are learning.

What if we empowered children to be seekers of information and trusted them with their own learning? Writer, unschooling organizer, co-founder of Raising Free People and founding board member of The Alliance for Self-Directed Education Akilah S. Richards emphasizes the importance of questioning everything and refers to it as “mad question asking,” as she invokes the late lyricist Notorious B.I.G.

In her TEDx speech, Akilah S. Richards invokes the late lyricist Notorious B.I.G. as she emphasizes the importance of "mad question asking" and trusting children with their own learning.

Raising Free People | Akilah Richards | TEDxAsburyPark

We can lean into children’s questions by providing opportunities for inquiry projects in our classrooms and homes. If you’re interested in learning how to use inquiry projects to promote a love of learning, here are some tips to get started:

Set the Stage for Inquiry Projects

Get curious. Before you can figure out what children are interested in learning about, it’s important to listen to their ideas, thoughts and wonderings. The following questions can provide you with a guide:

  • What questions have you heard children asking lately? Jot them down on a piece of paper.

  • Can you pinpoint a theme that’s emerging? Is it a change of seasons, families, friendship, discovery, identity or how people take care of each other? Or do their questions revolve around something more tangible like snow, dinosaurs or exploring bugs found outside? Reflect on what you notice. This shouldn’t take up much time. Kids are naturally curious and they make connections to what’s going on around them throughout the day.

  • Involve children in creating a web of investigation based on their questions.
    Gather children together in a comfortable space.Find a blank piece of paper and create a circle in the middle.Label the inside circle with the topic of their inquiry. For example: “snow.”Create lines shooting out from around the circle. This looks a little like a spider and its legs.Jot down childrens’ questions related to the topic by each line. If you notice questions are related, feel free to create another mini-web based on one of the original questions. Tip: remember kids are constantly shifting their wonderings. It’s okay if their questions do not directly relate to the topic. As you explore books, online resources and ask more questions, you might be surprised to find out how interrelated everything truly is.Review questions with the children.

Find an inquiry space to document learning. Choose a space in your home or classroom to dedicate to the inquiry project. Remember the space doesn’t have to be large or a certain way at all. A corner in a playroom, classroom or kitchen will work just fine.

  • Set up a small table that can display books, photos, art created by the children, and other materials related to their inquiry. For example, during an inquiry about what things are made of, you might set up a magnifying glass alongside a variety of natural and synthetic materials like bugs, shells, foil, and bottle caps.

  • Decide the best way to store materials and start small. Library books can be stored in a basket under the table. The child’s artwork can be taped up on the wall, poster board or a small whiteboard.

Create a wonder wall. Involve children in creating a wonder wall near the inquiry space.

  1. Print out the Wonder Wall template.

  2. Support children in cutting out the words.

  3. Paste or tape the words on a colorful piece of paper.

  4. Invite children to decorate the space inside the words and the area around the paper. Get creative!

  5. Hang your poster on the wall near your inquiry space.

  6. Explain to children that this is the area where you will display the web of investigation and any other questions that come up as they are learning new things.

Dive Into Inquiry Learning

Prepare for learning. Once you’ve decided on a topic to explore, it’s time to think about what you already know about a topic, gather materials and start learning more. Here are some ideas:

  • Tap into children’s knowledge about a topic first by creating a simple KWL (Know, Want to Know, Learned) chart. Dedicate time to build out what children know about the topic before exploring other resources. Children come with such diverse and robust ideas about topics and taking the time to hear their ideas is a great way to involve them in active learning as well as make sure that the project mirrors their reality in culturally responsive ways.

  • Find books related to the topic at the library or online resources.

  • Gather resources like articles, videos, television shows, activities or games that can extend the learning. If you’re in a classroom setting, check out the Inquiry Planning Document to plan activities.

  • Go on virtual field trips to take children to amazing places.

Let the learning begin. Allow children ample time to research their questions in multiple ways, as mentioned above. The purpose of an inquiry project is to really allow kids to dive into their topic of interest so they can learn and explore naturally. Children might complete artwork, journal about their ideas, or create models to make sense of what they are learning. Our youngest scholars will mostly create pictures and use inventive spelling to show what they know. Anecdotes, videos and photos are ways adults can document learning in holistic ways because they illustrate the many ways in which children learn.

Find time throughout the week to explore the resources together. Educators might dedicate an hour of classroom time a day to the inquiry project while a busy parent may decide to spend an hour on the inquiry project on the weekend or when a child makes a connection or asks another topic-related question.

Inquiry projects can take anywhere from a few weeks to months depending on how children stay interested in the topic of exploration. Remember that if children end up losing engagement, it’s time to move on to the next exploration. Once you’re comfortable with facilitating inquiry projects, it’s much easier to shift as time goes on. What will you learn about next?

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MONTESSORI BABIES AND THE OUTDOORS 
THE FIRST SIX MONTHS

There is so much beauty and fun in nature for children. Nature is perfectly perfect for all sorts of sensory exploration and learning. In so many ways, the outdoors provide the most perfect prepared environment. But, it can be easy to think this only applies to older children - those children that can walk around and explore on their own. This doesn't have to be true. Babies - even newborns - can be brought outside to enjoy the beauty and wonder that is nature. 

This week I felt like we have been living outside with Penelope. With summer in full swing here it's easy to get out and stay out with a new baby. This is especially true when that baby is the fifth one, because the older kids pretty much live outside this time of year too. Plus this year our house has some major renovations happening so staying outside and away from the dust and noise is helpful. 

IDEAS FOR TAKING YOUNG BABIES OUTSIDE 

There are so many things that you can do to bring your baby into the outdoors from birth. Here are some of the things we have enjoyed with Penelope over her first (almost) six-months of life:

  • Take walks: the bassinet stroller has been so helpful with this and we try to get out for one daily.

  • Focus on one spot: we pick one plant, get really close to it and let her feel it with her hands, feet, arms and legs. We look at it. Listen to it. Basically just spend some time really soaking it in. For smaller items we might place in a vase or hold above her. (See video of this in action here)

  • Make it a mobile: We make everything we can a mobile for Penelope during this stage since so much of her exploration is visual. So we place her on her back directly under a tree/bush/flower so she can watch it move and study it. This is by far her favorite under our maple tree. 

  • Do regular things outside: We take laundry outside and fold it near her. We eat outside and bring here along. We chat outside with neighbors. Basically, we want to make going outside an extension of our world, not a big special activity. I want it to become so routine that she doesn't need special reasons to go outside she just knows its something we do.

  • Explore new textures: The outside world is filled with the best sensory experiences so I look to give her opportunities to experience texture outside. Lay her in the grass, lay on a soft surface, lay on a hard surface, feet in the sun, body in the shade, out in the morning, out at sunset, out when its sprinkling, out when it's chilly. 

  • Go Together: It's a family thing, we are all out together enjoying our world. We're baby wearing, we're with the other children, we're all in this together. 

This list is definitely not meant to be comprehensive, but use it as a jumping off point for starting to explore your world with your baby. What we can do in our neighborhood/state/country may not be relevant to your world, but look for ways to make simple, sensory rich encounters with the natural world available to your baby.

WHAT IF IT'S TOO WET, COLD, HOT OR UNCOMFORTABLE OUTSIDE TO BRING OUT A LITTLE BABY? 

I'll be the first to admit that there are times when I didn't and don't want to take Penelope outside. She was born in January in Minnesota, so while we tried to get out frequently there were plenty of days that were just too uncomfortable or even unsafe to bring out a newborn. Here are a few things to consider in that case:

  • Bring the Outdoors Inside: 

Bring a vase of flowers inside, bring some fall leaves in to look at. You could make it a mobile, or just touch it against their feet or hands. 

  • Sit near a window or door: 
    Set up a temporary space to watch rain/snow fall on a sliding door/storm door, or the window. Open a window to listen to the birds/bugs on a hot day. It doesn't need to be an all the time thing, but an opportunity 

  • Use houseplants to your advantage:
    use a large house plant as a mobile or point of interest in your baby's play area one day. Or stop and examine and allow for touching. Just remember that some houseplants can be toxic so be sure not to allow mouthing unless you're sure it's safe.  

  • Fans/Shades/Clothing:
    always carefully consider if you can change your environment a little to make it easier to bring a baby out. Using a fan can help keep bugs out of a smaller area, a sun shade can make an area safer or warm layers of clothes can allow for small amounts of outdoor time

This post is week 22 of my Montessori baby series focusing on Penelope.

1-MONTH-OLD, 

2-MONTHS-OLD, 

3-MONTHS-OLD, 

4-MONTHS-OLD, 

5-MONTHS-OLD, 

MONTESSORI BABY, 

NEWBORN, 

OUTDOORS    

Baby Sensory Activities: Ideas for Newborn to 14 Months Old

play & learning

Disclaimer: This post may include affiliate links, and I will earn a commission if you purchase through these links. I’ve only linked to products because I recommend them and they are from companies I trust. There is no additional cost to you.

For babies, almost everything is sensory play. That’s because, at this stage of play development, they constantly learn about their bodies and environment through the senses.

Grandparent holding a baby and touching babies feet during a sensory play activity.

Small changes to tummy time or an extra few minutes at a meal can turn into sensory play. You don’t need to spend too much time planning or setting up sensory experiences. In fact, most of these sensory activities are no mess, no fuss.

Always, always supervise babies during sensory play. Babies are constantly learning and developing new skills. You might not be able to anticipate how a baby will engage with a particular material.

Table of Contents

Sensory Activities for 0 to 8 Months Old

These sensory activities are great for younger babies who are not rolling, starting to roll, and starting to sit up.

Shadow & Light Tummy Time

Baby playing with light during sensory play.


A baby looking up with red and green lights on their face during a sensory activity.


A baby explores light and shadows during a tummy time sensory activity.

Changing the location or lighting during tummy time creates a new play environment for babies. Show your baby how toys light up or how shadows move. Just avoid anything that flashes.

  • Tummy time in sun rays

  • Adjust window blinds

  • Turn off lights and explore shadows

  • Plug in nightlights

  • Place scarves over lamps

You may even discover some lighting combinations that are calming for your baby.

Senses: sight, vestibular

Mirrors

A baby hand pressing against a mirror during sensory play.


A baby who pulled themselves to stand is smiling into a mirror and exploring their reflection during a sensory experience.

Mirrors are a tool for helping early learners develop social-emotional skills. Babies can use mirrors to learn more about their bodies and expressions. Mirrors are also a way for babies to explore reflections.

You can prop a mirror up for your baby to look at during play or set a mirror on the floor to explore during tummy time. Choose a shatterproof mirror if you have access to one.

Senses: sight, proprioceptive, vestibular

Water Play

A baby sits in a highchair with their eyes closed. Their arms are outstretched, splashing water from a yellow tray in front of them. The baby is learning about sensory experience of water and listening to the splashes.

Water play is a safe sensory activity for babies as long as they are being supervised. Even just a couple of tablespoons of water can be fun for babies to explore. Try one of these ideas:

  • Water directly on the highchair tray

  • Water on a cookie sheet on the floor

  • Water sealed in ziplock bags and taped to the floor for tummy time

Senses: touch, taste, hearing, vestibular, proprioceptive

Tummy Time Outdoors

A baby plays outside and explores how the grass feels during a tummy time sensory activity.

Taking tummy time outdoors introduces babies to outdoor play. They can experience different types of weather and safely explore nature while working on gross motor skills.

Senses: sight, touch, hearing, smell, vestibular, proprioceptive

Hang Loofahs For Kicking, Pulling, Swiping, Swinging

Hang loofahs of different sizes and colors from a baby play gym. Your baby can reach out to touch the unique textures. They can also use their legs to kick the loofahs and watch them swing.

Senses: sight, touch, vestibular, proprioceptive

Sticky, Tacky Contact Paper

Use masking tape to tape squares of contact paper to the floor, wall, or highchair tray. Let your baby explore the stickiness with their hands or with toys, pieces of fabric, felt, or ribbons.

Senses: sight, touch, hearing, vestibular, proprioceptive

Lumpy, Bumpy Blankets

Create a tummy-time space on the floor with layers of blankets and pillows. Babies can explore each item’s different colors, textures, and weight. Babies who are rolling or starting to crawl can work around the lumps of pillows. Adjust the space if your baby seems overly frustrated or tired trying to move around.

Senses: touch, sight, vestibular, proprioceptive

Exploring Weather

Experiencing different types of weather is part of the human experience. Simply step outdoors with your baby for even a few minutes. Talk about the wind, rain, snow, humidity, or fog. Check out our favorite weather books for help discussing the weather.

Senses: touch, smell, hearing, sight

Bubbles

A baby in a stroller is mesmerized by watching bubbles move.

There is something magical about watching bubbles. Even babies will be mesmerized. Talk to your baby about how the bubbles pop, float, bounce, and burst. Avoid getting lightheaded or out of breath by investing in a bubble machine.

Senses: sight, touch

Wet + Dry Sponges

Offer your baby two or more sponges, some wet and some dry. They can explore the different sensations of wet versus dry. You can also put a small amount of water on a tray and offer your baby a dry sponge that will slowly soak up the water. 

Senses: sight, touch, taste, proprioceptive

Explore more sensory and learning activities for 3-month-old babies and activities for 8-month-old babies.

Sensory Activities for 8 to 14 Months Old

These activities are great for babies who are sitting, crawling, cruising, or starting to walk.

Exploring Temperatures

  • Touching cold windows

  • 2 sensory bottles – one with ice water and one with warm water

  • Chilling teething toys or ice packs in the fridge

  • Water play with two trays of different water temperatures

  • Offer your baby a cup of cool water to pour while they are in the bathtub  

Senses: touch, taste, sight, proprioceptive, vestibular

Contact Paper + Bubble Wrap Walk

Cut out 12″ by 12″ squares of contact paper and bubble wrap. Tape each square to the floor with masking tape. Encourage your baby to crawl or walk across the different materials. For a sensory bonus, do the activity barefoot.

Senses: touch, sight, hearing, vestibular, proprioceptive

Exploring Food Flavors + Textures

A baby touches a sliced orange during a snack time sensory activity.


A baby touches and tastes sliced vegetables during a snack time sensory activity.

When your baby is ready, introduce foods of different flavors and textures for them to explore.

  • Citrus fruits

  • Chia seed pudding

  • Multiple colors of bell peppers

  • Variety of crackers 

Senses: taste, touch, smell

Push & Pull Play

A baby walks outside dragging a bucket during a push and pull sensory activity.


A baby pushes a rolling cylinder toy and explores the balls inside it.

Babies love to push, slide, drag, roll, lift, and pull large or heavy (for them) objects. Look for safe ways to create this activity.

  • Cushions

  • Buckets

  • Baskets

  • Walkers

  • Crates

  • Ride-On Toys

  • Boxes

  • Totes

  • Large Balls

Add weight and/or ropes so your baby can use muscles pushing and pulling large or heavier objects.

Senses: touch, vestibular, proprioceptive

Nature Walks (Or Sits, Or Cruises)

A baby explores the textures of tree bark during outdoor play.

Time in nature is an incredible sensory activity for babies. And it takes almost no prep work for parents and educators. If you want ideas and inspiration for outdoor play, check out our nature play posts.

Senses: sight, touch, smell, hearing, vestibular, proprioceptive

Music

Music is a sensory play experience. You can introduce babies to finger plays, rattles and toy instruments, or your favorite music. Musical instruments, singing voices, dancing, clapping, and exploring how to make sounds all stimulate sensory systems.

  • Clapping

  • Singing

  • Dancing

  • Toy instruments

  • DIY Rattles

  • Banging pots and pans

Senses: hearing, touch, vestibular, proprioceptive

Drinking from an Open Cup

Once your baby can sit up, it’s safe to slowly introduce drinking from an open cup. This is a great learning experience and a sensory activity all in one. For more sensory play, give your baby a dry washcloth that they can use to start wiping up spills.

Senses: taste, touch, proprioceptive

Exploring Light & Shadow

Lights and shadows activities are fun for babies and don’t have a messy cleanup. As babies get older, they can take part in exploring light.

  • Rope lights or string lights

  • Children’s flashlights

  • Cover lamps with scarves

  • Translucent objects

  • Reflective objects

  • Explore shadows outdoors during dusk or nighttime

Senses: sight, touch

Goofy Moves

A baby turns upside down to look at the camera.


A smiling baby dances during a goofy moves sensory activity.

Encourage your baby to roll, dance, or turn upside down. Or you can gently perform these moves with your baby.

  • Spinning

  • Upside down

  • Rocking

  • Swinging

  • Rolling

Senses: vestibular, proprioceptive

Under + Through

A baby crawls through a pop-up tunnel.


A parent holds their baby while they explore the inside of a wooden tunnel at the playground.

When babies crawl through tunnels or under tables, they are learning about how to move their bodies through obstacles. If you don’t have a pop-up tunnel, you can create your own with chairs or by draping blankets.

Senses: touch, vestibular, proprioceptive

Explore more learning activities for 8-month-olds and activities 18-month-olds.

Loose Parts Play For Babies

Using loose parts is a great way to incorporate sensory play into your home. Exploring objects is an engaging, developmentally appropriate sensory activity during a baby’s first year. You can learn more in our ultimate loose parts materials guide.

Loose parts are items that babies can safely manipulate, mouth, and explore. Objects with various textures, colors, weights, and sounds create a sensory experience.

I want to highlight some of my favorite loose parts materials for babies.

  1. Themed Treasure Baskets (find ideas in the ultimate guide linked below)

  2. Fabric: scarves, felt pieces, fabric squares

  3. Shaker Bottles: made with plastic bottles or empty spice bottles

  4. Bangle Bracelets

  5. Cardboard + Felt Cutouts

  6. Lids + Containers

  7. Cookie Cutters

  8. Cooking Utensils

  9. Sponges + Loofahs

  10. Coasters

Turning Household Items into Play since 1992(ish)

My FREE list of Household Items you can turn into LOOSE PARTS PLAY for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.

Turn that muffin tin in the back of your cabinet into a play prop.

Why Do Babies Need Sensory Play?

Sensory play is an essential part of development for babies. You can read more about the benefits of sensory play for babies here.

Young children need to experience the world through the senses to develop their motor skills, sensory processing, and cognition skills. For babies, sensory activities are an introduction to emergent science skills.

At What Age Should You Start Sensory Play?

Sensory play activities can start when a baby is born.

For newborns and very young infants, sensory play activities are very simple, such as touching the fabric of their clothing or listening to a parent sing. Babies will seek the sensory experience of being held and gently rocked.

Mouthing toys is a sensory activity for babies. Babies love to put things in their mouths because while they do not have great control of their hands and fingers to explore, they can use all the nerves in their mouths.

Sensory activities will become more complex as a baby gets older.

How to Do Sensory Play with Babies?

Sensory play for babies is honestly super simple. Start with a developmentally-appropriate activity (hint: it isn’t screen time).

Next, think about how that activity could stimulate one or more senses.

Here is where I need to mention that there are two more senses: vestibular and proprioceptive, in addition to the 5 senses of smell, taste, touch, hearing, and sight. I still love to geek out on that.

Then consider the individual interests and skills of your baby. Adjust the experience to meet your baby’s interests or connect to their current learning.

  • Are they starting to roll over?

  • Do they love to shake toys or crinkle paper?

  • Do they dislike getting wet? 

  • Have they started trying new foods?

Find a sensory activity that your baby adores. You can feel confident in doing that activity over and over again. As your baby develops new skills, you can modify the activity. If your baby is engaged, they will keep learning each time.

Sensory Toys For Babies

  • Textured Sensory Cube

  • Adorable Wood Sensory Tumble Set

  • Sensory Block Set

  • Wood Stacking Rings

  • Solar Jar Nightlight

  • Stacking cups

  • Tree Blocks

  • Color Contrast Latex-coated Wood Blocks

  • Loose Parts Set: Wooden Peg People

  • Sensory Books

More play ideas

Child draws with markers during a process art activity.

The Best Art In Early Childhood: Process Vs. Product

A box of wooden loose parts including blocks and stacking rings.

The Magic of Loose Parts: FAQs from Teachers & Parents

Baby plays with wooden blocks on the floor.

10 Benefits of Block Play: Unlock the Power of Blocks

A child balances stacking blocks during a block activity.

The Best Block Play Activities & Environments for Young Children children's learning through nature play, books, and play-based activities. Let's explore all the information I wish I'd had during my days as a toddler teacher.

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