Most everyday people don’t know what the term ‘heuristic play’ means. However, almost everybody will witness it at some times in their lives. It is something that has always existed, and seems really natural and simple. But what, in a simple answer, is heuristic play? Heuristic play is exploring a range of objects in different …
There are so many random things you can use for loose parts play! There will be items all around your house, in your shed, in the back of cupboards, in your kitchen – wherever there are odds and ends there are loose parts ready to be played with! But what sorts of things are good …
The term ‘heuristic play’ is often used in childcare circles, but rarely as part of normal speech by people or parents outside the industry. However, it is a type of play that probably all parents have witnessed. To simplify the term, it is playing with everyday objects, and moving around with them in different ways. …
You may well have heard other parents or fellow educators talk about treasure baskets, and wondered what they are. Many people use these baskets as a fantastic way of stimulating interest in babies, and in creating a multi-level learning opportunity for them. But what exactly is a treasure basket? A treasure basket is a shallow …
There are many skills that are central to science that are fostered by children engaging in loose parts play. Some key ones include: Investigating Exploring Creating and testing hypotheses Constructing and deconstructing ideas Engaging with the world around them. There are all sorts of experiments that children can try out using loose parts. Many of …
Loose parts play comes with some small associated risks. As either an educator or parent it is a good idea to be aware of what these risks are, and how to either prevent or manage them. In an educational setting, you may also want to have some form of written risk assessment for any loose …
The concept of symmetry is something that young children can begin to explore through practical activities, even before they can really put into words what it is. It is definitely better to start with experimentation with objects, rather than give them symmetry worksheets, printables or folding pictures. What are the best symmetry activities for kids? …
Washing lines are a fantastic and simple resource to develop maths skills in a fun and play-based way. Children really enjoy pegging things on lines: it is great for their gross and fine motor skills, as well as benefitting their communication and teamwork skills. Over ten years in the early years I have used washing …