Open ended play

o·pen-end·ed

[oh-puhn-en-did] Show IPA

adjective

1.

not having fixed limits; unrestricted; broad: an open-ended discussion.

2.

allowing for future changes, revisions, or additions: open-ended agreements.

3.

having no fixed answer: an open-ended question.

 

Outcome 4a:

 Children develop dispositions for learning such as curiosity, cooperation,
confidence, creativity, commitment, enthusiasm, persistence, imagination
and reflexivity

Open ended play provides a great opportunity for children to develop and build these skills. 

 

There are many open ended play resources

 Blocks- 

 

Material pieces- 

Boxes-  

Play Dough- 

open ended play works best with long periods of uninterrupted time for children to explore and experiment with no expected outcome from the play. Just pure imagination!

Words for Wednesday

 

 

What was you favourite science activity as a child?

Songs for Sunday - Open Shut Them

One of our favourites

Imaginary Play

How important is imaginary play in a child's life?

Imaginary play stimulates a variety of learning behaviors. Using such seemingly common methods of play is actually a way for children to exercise their knowledge of the world around them and develop skills in

problem-solving, cooperation, individual play and social interaction.

Imagination also provides children an opportunity to experience otherwise impossible time periods and environments.

Children are able to express themselves in a way unlike any other.

 It can become an escape from reality something as simple as a cardboard box opens the world of exploration for young children.

Of course, imaginary play is at the height of creativity, an essential component in everyday life. Regardless of the situation or age, creativity provides children (and adults) an outlet to express their individuality.

It plays a key role in drawing and story making skills, as well as tasks related to school, home, and other indoor and outdoor play.

Each child's interpretation of the world is just as unique as the child.

 

 

 

 

 

Words for Wednesday

Songs for Sunday - 5 Little Penguins

5 Little Penguins

 5 little penguins Standing still

1 little penguin slides down the hill

Where did he go?   I don’t know

4 little penguins standing still

4 little penguins Standing still

1 little penguin slides down the hill

Where did he go?   I don’t know

3 little penguins standing still

 3 little penguins standing still

1 little penguin slides down the hill

Where did he go?    I don’t know

2 little penguins standing still

 

2 little penguins standing still

1 little penguin slides down the hill

Where did he go?   I don’t know

1 little penguins standing still

1 little penguin standing still

He goes sliding down the hill

Where did he go?   I don’t know

WAIT!

I know .... With all the penguins playing in the snow

 

 

Imaginative Play

We have had a cold snap over the last few days. It is giving us a gentle reminder winter is approaching. 

The ski fields a few hours away have had a nice dumping of snow.

With this in mind we were inspired to create this new playscape.

 

 

 

 

This playscape has a sensory touch to it as you can freeze the cubes and add water or ice. 

Your children will get hours of entertainment for just $50

(postage included within Australia.)

If you are interested comment below.

Sets not suitable for children 3years and under.

 

 



Words for Wednesday

Some of our favourite children's stories

Sharing stories is a great activity to spend quality time

with children. 



Stories encourage lifelong positive attitude towards reading.
They promote language and vocabulary, literacy skills and
brain development.

Here are some of our all time favourite stories that are always a hit with the children.

 

 

 

 

 

 

What was you favourite story as a child??

 

 

Mother's Day

(image from http://activitypit.ning.com/forum/topics/happy-mother-s-day)

 

 

To all the mums out there have a great day!

 

 

 



Songs for Saturday

the banana's unite

This is a very catchy tune that all early childhood educators and parents can share with their children.

Imaginative play literacy based

We have a another playscape for you to look at.

Australian animals were our source of inspiration.

Following up on our last post we have added some literacy concepts.

This is available to purchase for $45

All playscapes have postage included.

Currently we can only post within Australia.

Comment below if you are interested or just comment we love to hear from you.

Words for Wednesday

Literacy

 

Literacy is most commonly understood as reading and writing. Before children can read and write, they need to grasp other forms of language, such as speech and the use of print and pictures. Parents have a vital role to play in helping their children develop these skills, along with a positive attitude towards reading.

(http://raisingchildren.net.au/articles/activities_to_promote_literacy.html/context/1217)

 

The first five years of children’s lives are most critical for laying down the foundations for all academic and social outcomes. During this time the development of literacy understandings in a quality, play based, literacy rich environment contributes significantly to the maximisation of children’s literacy outcomes throughout their lives.

 

Literacy often makes people think of school and many parents expect that literacy will be taught to their children once they start school.

Children do not wait until they start school to develop literacy skills.

From birth, babies and children are learning all the time.

Literacy is a part of everyone’s daily life, you can use simple day to day activities to encourage literacy skills with your child.

Some simple activities to use with your child:

                                                   

 

· Talking with your child, using names and labelling items

· Singing and Rhyming

· Reading stories

· Writing your shopping list

· Demonstrating correct font (in NSW we use NSW Plain font)

 

Keep checking for some more interesting activities to support literacy development.

Autumn fun

 

I stumbled across this picture on http://happyhooligans.ca/2012/11/23/leaf-slide/ this morning while looking for inspiration for Autumn

We have plenty of leaves in our centre's yard at the moment might give this a go....... 

Do you engage your children in learning about the different seasons? if so we would love it if you would let us know what you do.

Words for Wednesday