Teach Investigate Play

Play doesn't have to be complicated or costly

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  • Early Primary,  Preschool,  Toddler

    Easy Peasy Rainbow Rice

    23rd October 2018 /

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    A Tree for all Seasons

    3rd October 2019

    Hidden Letters

    3rd October 2019

    Festive Play Dough

    19th November 2019
  • Early Primary,  Preschool,  Toddler

    10 Activities with Playdough

    26th September 2018 /

    Playdough is our absolute favourite play resource. Its a fantastic sensory tool but without the mess associated with other sensory forms of play. Now that I’m a mama of three, the playdough is out on a daily basis. So here are 10 invitations to play that all involve playdough…

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    Hidden Letters

    3rd October 2019

    Spooky Spider Web Craft

    6th October 2019

    Festive Play Dough

    19th November 2019
  • Preschool,  Toddler

    Muddy Farmyard!

    25th March 2018 /

    You might’ve guessed by now that I HATE wasting materials! I recently used coco powder as a writing tray for one of my students and since it was then destined for the bin immediately after, I decided to turn it into mud instead!

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    Frozen Themed Cloud Dough

    10th November 2019

    Sensory Spice Paint for Autumn

    28th October 2019

    DIY Light-Box

    31st October 2019
  • Early Primary,  Preschool,  Toddler

    Hot Air Balloon Craft

    17th March 2018 /

    Big balloon, big balloon Bigger than the sun and moon. Flying high In the sky Fly, fly and fly and fly! I’m pretty sure that all parents know the Peppa Pig song, right? If not, I promise that as soon as you listen to it, it’ll be stuck in your head for an eternity! It was well and truly on rotation after a trip to the Canberra Balloon Festival, which takes place every March.

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    teachinvestigateplay 0 Comments

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    Hidden Letters

    3rd October 2019

    Festive Play Dough

    19th November 2019

    A Tree for all Seasons

    3rd October 2019
  • Preschool,  Toddler

    Easter Themed Sensory Activities

    16th March 2018 /

    Easter already?! Christmas only seems like it was a moment ago but as we can’t resist a good themed activity, here is a round-up of six of our favourite sensory activities for Easter. As always, please never leave your child unattended during these kinds of play experience. These activities are intended to be something you can do together!

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    Pumpkin Play 10 ways

    4th October 2019

    What is school readiness?

    24th October 2019

    Hand-wash Hack for Littles

    19th November 2019
  • Parenting

    How we’re raising readers

    29th June 2017 /

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    How to Make the Arts A Part of Your Family’s Everyday

    30th September 2019

    What is school readiness?

    24th October 2019

    A Tree for all Seasons

    3rd October 2019
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How do we approach letter recognition? Via lots of tactile activities.⁣ .⁣ I firmly believe that a hands-on approach to learning the alphabet is much better than reciting the alphabet song in rote like fashion.⁣ .⁣ Our DIY light-box, paired with the rather spectacular @happi_crafts sprinkle letters are just one of the ways Z (almost 4) learns to recognise the letters of the alphabet.⁣ .⁣ So what's the ideal approach? Generally speaking, it's best to learn lowercase letters first along with their sound (phoneme) because children will mainly see lowercase letters in their books. That being said, when it comes to the real world and environmental print, you've probably noticed that a lot of signs and books are capitals only. ⁣ .⁣ We started off with name recognition activities (with her learning to recognise the capital 'Z') before moving on to other familiar letters. Our approach is slow and steady, Z doesn't get quizzed on anything and we turn our activities into a game - she'll ask me to spot letters and i'll play along with that. She's under zero pressure to get it all locked down perfectly at the tender age of almost four.⁣ .⁣ I'll digress a bit and say this, my eldest (aged 10) was considered by his then reception class teacher, in her words, to be 'low ability' when it came to reading. We hadn't pressured him into learning his phonics prior to starting school and so when it came to his first year (aged 4), he was on lower level books to his peers. What we did do was help him foster a love for reading. Fast-forward 6 years and, according to the Australian Naplan results, he is one of the top readers in the country. I'll be writing more on these topics in my forthcoming schools series.⁣ .⁣ The letters by @happi_crafts and the wooden alphabet board by @thelittlecoachhouse were kindly gifted to us.⁣ . Most of our favourite toys in one photograph!⁣ .⁣ I rarely share toy posts on here, but that's not to say that we don't have our fair share. The vast majority of our own collection has been bought for Christmas or as Birthday presents - each year we put aside monthly savings and I start shopping as early as September, buying something each month.⁣ .⁣ I mainly wanted to share because the key thing to remember is to choose toys that are open-ended. When Z was born, I made a promise to myself that we would avoid toys that would be outgrown quickly. She is 6.5 years younger than her brother and we had nothing left from his baby and toddler days. That seemed like an awful waste.⁣ .⁣ The toys that are brought out on a daily basis include:⁣ - wooden blocks⁣ - magnetic tiles⁣ - animal figurines⁣ - wobbelboard⁣ - Grimm's rainbow⁣ - Grimms rainbow people⁣ - Way to Play road⁣ .⁣ Now some of those items are pricey and some under $10, but the key thing to remember is that they're saved for. ⁣ .⁣ This year we have bought:⁣ - A train set⁣ - A wooden farm⁣ - Additional magnetic tiles⁣ - Additional wooden blocks⁣ .⁣ I tend to consider these toys for the play space, then the children get something smaller and just for them in their stockings. It works well for us but i'd love to hear what you do!⁣ . Social Media for Schools 🍎⁣ .⁣ If you're following me here as a teacher or school, you may want to head on over to my brand new account, @getsetsocialmedia where I will be sharing tips on how to simplify your social.⁣ .⁣ As you might've already guessed, i'm really passionate about the positive powers of social media and I want to put my knowledge to good use which is why I have set up Get Set! Social Media as a social media consultancy specialising in schools, the education sector and small business.⁣ .⁣ So if you're stuck on WHICH platform to use, WHAT to post or just generally get confused with HOW to build up a community, come give me a follow ❤⁣ ⁣ Teach Investigate Play will continue to run as normal, but I would really appreciate your support in this new venture ⭐⁣ .⁣ You can read more about Get Set Social Media by heading over to my website, the link is in my profile.⁣ .⁣ #teacherofinstagram #earlylearning #teachermum #kidsactivities #montessoriathome #learningthroughplay #followthechild #earlyyearsideas #preschoolactivities #everydayplayhacks #toddleractivities #toddleractivitiesathome #montessori #openendedplay #playathome #playfullearning #montessorichild #socialmediaforschools #earlychildhood #primaryschool #primaryteacher #socialmediatips #internationalschools #internationalbaccalaureate #teachersofinstagram #reggio #smallbusinessowner Toddler Activities Round-Up⁣ .⁣ Thank you so much for everyone who joined in with my @tagfromtheheart TODDLER theme. I appreciate it has been a really busy week, especially if you have been celebrating Thanksgiving in America, so i'm grateful to you for taking the time to tag me in your awesome activities ❤⁣ .⁣ Here are 8 of my favourite toddler play activities from the week:⁣ ⭐@learnandbloom: DIY pompom toothpicks.⁣ .⁣ ⭐@mini_mark_makers: pinecone process art.⁣ .⁣ ⭐@rachelmoffatt13: rainbow scrape art⁣ .⁣ ⭐@yazookiddo: corn transfer⁣ .⁣ ⭐@chestnut_simple_play: rainbow frozen feathers⁣ .⁣ ⭐@findthelittlemind: hot chocolate sensory bin⁣ .⁣ ⭐@lifeonwallace: DIY car wash⁣ .⁣ ⭐@baby.bear.went.to.play: loose parts Christmas tree.⁣ .⁣ Anya @montessorifromtheheart, i'm most grateful to you for allowing me to host #tagfromtheheart again. What I love the most is finding new accounts within our community. I've loved seeing all of the amazing ideas this week ❤⁣ .⁣ #montessorichild #montessoriathome #earlylearning #toddleractivities #toddlersofinstagram ⁣ #learningthroughplay #playmatters #invitationtoplay #preschool #montessori #loosepartsplay #sensoryplay #artwithkids #processart #kidsactivities #ece #kindergarten #totschool #earlychildhoodeducation #earlyyearsideas #earlylearning #toddlerfun #toddlerlife #toddler #toddlermom #handsonlearning #reggiokids #toddlers #okuloncesi Christmas is, of course, one of the most magical, sparkliest times of the year. It’s a sensory feast for the eyes and there are so many things your little one will want to grab. The problem is, a lot of Christmas decorations aren’t suitable for very small babies to explore. Our solution? Pop them in to a sensory bottle!⁣ .⁣ Here's a few things you can try in the bottles:⁣ - jingle bells⁣ - ribbon⁣ - beads⁣ -mini baubles⁣ - pompoms⁣ -fairy lights⁣ -tinsel⁣ .⁣ What else would you suggest? Let me know in the comments section below.⁣ . It's safe to say that my littlest love keeps me on my toes!⁣ .⁣ I don't remember my eldest two being quite so busy, but perhaps I have blocked out all memory of their own toddlersarus phase! 😆⁣ .⁣ Here's a few things i'm now having to modify in the play space as a result of Mr E (18 months) curiosity:⁣ .⁣ ⭐ Double check that furniture is secured⁣ ⭐Keep all toys in a visible space (to prevent him from reaching for things like he is here)⁣ ⭐Minimise the toys so that he doesn't get overwhelmed⁣ ⭐Recheck that the toys available in the play space don't cause a choking hazard.⁣ .⁣ Do you have a toddlersarus at home - let me know what your biggest challenges are in the comments section below:⁣ .⁣ I'm off to reorganise the play space!⁣ . Gifts can be a complex issue! Whether giving or receiving, it's often a headache to really buy something meaningful (and useful)⁣ .⁣ So here is my list of present ideas that could suit children of a range of ages (mainly 1-10). I know i've probably missed heaps of - including musical instruments, but I figured you'd unfollow in droves if I dared to suggest a recorder 😝⁣ .⁣ ⭐Books: books are my 'go-to' when people ask what the children want and also for when we are gifting (say hello to the teacher mum!)⁣ .⁣ ⭐Art supplies: I don't think you can ever have enough art materials. They are great for those quieter Christmas moments too.⁣ .⁣ ⭐Time spent together: this is a great one for relatives. It doesn't have to cost anything either.⁣ .⁣ ⭐Tickets to attractions / annual pass: tickets to a movie or even a zoo pass are good options when you really don't want more stuff in the house.⁣ .⁣ ⭐Building blocks: open-ended toys rock! Lego sets are a huge favourite here, as are wooden blocks.⁣ .⁣ ⭐Classic wooden toys: this year, we've bought a train set for the playroom. Previously we've bought a dollhouse and farmhouse. Wooden toys last years and don't look like an eye-sore on the shelves. The beauty of any of these is that smaller items can be added on to the sets each year too!⁣ .⁣ ⭐Puzzles and games: puzzles are another one of our 'go-to' items when gifting presents. They are affordable and have heaps of educational benefits.⁣ .⁣ ⭐Animal figurines: I may have swung this one in because we are huge collectors. They are brilliant for toddlers learning names / sounds and for older children to play with in small worlds. They also work great as a learning aid - e.g. learning initial sounds or categorising geographically.⁣ .⁣ ⭐Sports Equipment: you can't really go wrong with a ball 😆 especially if your children are like mine and are always misplacing them! The great thing about sports equipment is that you usually have to play as a family too.⁣ .⁣ What else would you add to the list? Let me know in the comments section below ⬇ Farm themed play dough box! These IKEA GLIS boxes are just the BEST for homemade gifts.⁣ .⁣ As i've mentioned at least a zillion times before, play dough is super beneficial for developing pre-writing skills so it's something we make and play with all of the time.⁣ .⁣ My littlest love, is really obsessed with farm animals and diggers at the moment, so I thought i'd combine the two to make this play dough box. You can read more about how we make play dough over in the profile link.⁣ .⁣ Age recommendation wise, these boxes are great for children aged 2+. Just make sure your child is past the stage where they are likely to put the play dough in their mouths as homemade play dough does contain a lot of salt.⁣ .⁣ Are you making any homemade Christmas gifts this year? Let me know in the comments section below.⁣ . This advent calendar was supposed to be something that I was going to make FOR the children rather than WITH them but hey ho!⁣ .⁣ I started making it whilst the youngest two were playing yesterday afternoon but It wasn't long before Miss almost 4 wandered over to help.⁣ .⁣ Over the years, I've learnt to just go with the flow. I never turn the children away if they want to make something with me, even if the end result doesn't end up as intended. As you can see - we have a pond next to the stable where Jesus was born and a lot of bling on the roof, but Z did love making with me and we also go to talk about the nativity scene along the way!.I've also added the cute little peg doll nativity that we bought last year (although i'm unfortunately going to have to use a different doll for Jesus as he's a bit of a choking hazard for E).⁣ .⁣ Putting my parents' antique nativity set together at Christmas time was one of my favourite Christmas traditions. I'd love to hear yours in the comments section below. ⬇.⁣ ⁣ Tap the link in my bio for more info -> @teach.investigate.play⁣ .⁣ #earlyyearsideas#eyfsideas#montessoriathome#montessoriinspired#reggioinspired#learningthroughplay#kindergartenactivities#preschoolathome#handsonactivities#littlelearners#languagesoflearning#mummybloggers#feelgoodmotherhood#purposefilledplay#playbasedlearning#activitiesforkids#tagfromtheheart#stem#homeschoolfun#digitalmum#earlylearning101#homeschoolfun#finemotorskills#mathskills#christmasactivities#prekindergarten

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