Embedded Files
Download the Learning Genie Parent App for Preschool Classroom Connections!
Loose Parts
Loose Parts
"Loose parts are natural or synthetic found, bought, or upcycled materials that children can move, manipulate, control, and change within their play. Alluring and captivating, loose parts capture children's curiousity, give free reign to their imagination, and motivate learning" (Daly and Beloglovsky 2014)
Using loose parts at home can be very easy. Items like bottle caps, rocks, nuts and bolts, washers, corks, buttons, beads, shells, cups.. the list goes on. The objective is to allow them to use them open-endedly: meaning, let them use them however they want to express whatever they want.
Below, you will find an article regarding the theory of loose parts and some ideas for how to use them at home.
^^Click Link^^
Measurement
Measurement
Using loose parts is a great way to do pre-math skills like measurement. Using different objects to measure the length of an object help build those skills. Here you can see the stones are being used to see how long the string is.
What other materials can you use to measure objects at home?
Building Upon Interests
Building Upon Interests
Allow children to use different materials to create the things they are interested in. Here, you can see a provocation was added to show the different parts of an Ant. Then, the teacher allowed the child to be as creative as the child desired.
Print or draw a picture, place it for provocation, provide children with intentional loose parts, and see what they make.
Art and Patterning
Art and Patterning
With loose parts, children are able to openly express their ideas as well as mimic patterns. Both creative expression and mathematical skills.
Print or draw a pattern (above the children are using mandalas). Provide children with intentional loose parts, and allow them to create their own creations.
Social-Emotional Growth in Mud Play
Social-Emotional Growth in Mud Play
With all of the recent rain, mud play is easy to come by. But did you know that mud play actually has very positive social-emotional benefits for young children?
By allowing children to create their own mud kitchen, parents and teachers invite children to recreate their understanding of the world and work cooperatively with others (of course math, science, and motor skills are deeply at work too).
"Including diverse materials in the mud kitchen sparks dramatic play. Adding real kitchen tools inspires cooking and baking. Incorporating other natural materials such as leaves, flower petals, sand, and chalk dust invites more creativity. (Scraping a chalk stick against the edge of a pan creates small flakes of chalk dust. Adding this to mud is magical because it colors the mud for a brief moment!) Encouraging children to name their new flavors of ice cream, pies, or other creations extends the creativity as well" (Jennifer Leeper Miller, M.S).
Investigate
Investigate
Allow children the opportunity to investigate what they are growing. Have them describe it by using all of their senses: What do they see, how does it feel, does it have a smell, does it make a sound, is it edible?
Grow Some Stuff - Home Science
Grow Some Stuff - Home Science
Document
Document
Children are natural explorers. They are curious about how things work and growing plants is a great way to include natural science in your home. Not only can you plant from seed, but there are may foods that you can regrow. Above, you will see carrots, but have you tried celery, potatoes, lettuce, or even onions? Allow children to document their investigations. Use a journal or just paper to draw it, write it and document the change.
Grocery Store Learning
Grocery Store Learning
Replacing Tantrums with Engaged Learning Experiences
Replacing Tantrums with Engaged Learning Experiences
Do you dread going to the grocery store with your child in fear of the tantrum that may develop in aisle 3 when you're trying find the right kind of peanut butter? Here are a few strategies to fight off the Chunky vs. Extra Creamy tears.
Prepare
Prepare
Engage your Child in the Preparation Process
Engage your Child in the Preparation Process
When preparing to get ready to go to the grocery store, engage your children in the preparation process. This allows for their minds to be aware of what to expect. Allow them to make the list with you (even if it is just scribble on the page - that is a pre-writing stage).
Stick to the list
Stick to the list
Reverting Back to the Preparation Process
Reverting Back to the Preparation Process
Once you get to the store, refer back to the list often. This allows the child to be reminded of the agreement that was made prior to going to the store, and if the agreement was made, it can be helpful to refer back to it to see what is next on the list (rather than the more 'attractive' looking items on the shelves).
Count, sing, compare and engage.
Count, sing, compare and engage.
Engagement from Prep to Checkout
Engagement from Prep to Checkout
As you are going through the store, continuously engage with your children in all aspects of the shopping experience. IE: when getting a bunch of bananas, count with them how many bananas are connected together. Give them the proper vocabulary by showing and identifying the items. Did you know a bunch of bananas is actually called a "hand" of bananas and each singular banana is a "finger"?
At-Home Learning spaces
At-Home Learning spaces
Creating Functional and Intentional Learning Spaces at Home to Enhance the Distance Learning Experience
Creating Functional and Intentional Learning Spaces at Home to Enhance the Distance Learning Experience
^^^Click on the article above for ideas on how to set up a functioning distance learning work space for your child ^^^
Page updated
Report abuse