The Problem Solving Child

Play Ideas: Treasure Baskets & Discovery Boxes for Babies and Bigger Kids

December 6, 2011
Thumbnail image for Play Ideas: Treasure Baskets & Discovery Boxes for Babies and Bigger Kids

Today I welcome Anna of The Imagination Tree who is sharing her inspiring discovery boxes with us. When I first saw Anna post about the discovery box I thought, “Wow, that is such a great idea,” and I still love how wonderful they are for encouraging creative, open ended play! Young children learn about the [...]

Read the full article →

Responding to Children’s Spontaneous Experimentation

September 16, 2011
Thumbnail image for Responding to Children’s Spontaneous Experimentation

Recently we headed outdoors to do some gardening and while we were out in the garden Immy discovered that her plastic paddling pool had partly filled with rainwater. I was working close by (pulling weeds urg!) when she called to me, excitedly telling me how the pebbles she was throwing into the water were all [...]

Read the full article →

Developing Brains: Laying the Pathways to Learning

May 17, 2010

From the moment a baby is born (and even before birth), they are absorbing their world through the five senses – what they see, hear, touch, smell and taste. What adults often don’t realise is how important this sensory learning continues to be – through toddlerhood and the preschool years. Babies are born with a [...]

Read the full article →

Types of Play: Constructing

May 17, 2010

One of the things I am loving about the new We Play meme is the range of fantastic play experiences being shared for children of all ages. When we think of ‘play’ often the first thing we think of is imaginative play but this is only one type of play experience. In this post, I [...]

Read the full article →

Tool Time

January 9, 2010

I bought a friend’s three year old one of these for Christmas…It’s a Micki Tool Belt from The Kids Depot with child sized versions of REAL tools. We gave it to him with a pack of balsa wood and some wood glue. I think my friends (his parents) thought I was a bit cuckoo! And [...]

Read the full article →

Toddler Translation: Innovation

November 18, 2009

n innovation [inəˈveiʃən] (the act of making) a change or a new arrangement. -The Web Dictionary Step 1: Fill your hat with water. Step 2: Pull dripping wet hat over head. Step 3: Declare your innovation to the world, “Shower!” What funny, innovative things have your toddlers been doing and saying this week? A photo [...]

Read the full article →

Raid the Recycling: More Lids!

November 7, 2009

As promised yesterday, here are five more quick and easy at home learning resources made from lids. These are more suitable for children in the kindergarten, pre-school and early primary years and are great for reinforcing early mathematical skills. 1. Size sequencing: collect lids of all different sizes and work with your child to sequence [...]

Read the full article →

Raid the Recycling: Lids! Activities for Toddlers

November 6, 2009

Regular readers know how much I like to create cheap, fun toys and activities from bits and pieces around the house. Today, five simple activities with lids suitable for toddlers; 1. Count them: Immy (21 months) is at the stage where she loves to listen to me count. She likes to help by pointing at [...]

Read the full article →

← Previous Entries