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Tag Archives: Unstructured play
Ice and Outdoor Play
We’re nearing the end of Spring Break with a mix of sorrow and relief. We have enjoyed the reprieve from the rigorous school schedule. However, I have found that the school age children require considerably more structure and guidance than … Continue reading
Posted in Outdoor Play
Tagged Cooperation, ice, Loose parts, Spring Break, Unstructured play
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Keeping Busy
We’ve been keeping busy. Some of the children have done lacing activities many times but for the toddlers this was new and exciting; Making designs with bags of coloured gel was a new experience for all of us; In the … Continue reading
Posted in Learning Environment
Tagged imagination, Science and Sensory, Snow, Spring, Unstructured play, Weather
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Rats
Last month I bought some small stuffies from IKEA. They fit all my criteria for good playroom toys; Small enough that I can have several of them in the room Not too small for the infants and toddlers Inexpensive – … Continue reading
The Piano Keyboard
There was a time, very early in my childcare career, when we had ‘music time’ as a regularly scheduled group activity. I’d bring out various musical instruments and together the children I would listen to music, play with the instruments, … Continue reading
Much to Do
Only one more week left before school begins again. Where did the time go? I spent my weekend working on ‘phase one’ of the playroom remodel but you’ll have to wait until after ‘phase two’ is complete before I show … Continue reading
Posted in Outdoor Play
Tagged Active Play, bank, construction, dramatic play, Unstructured play
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Removing Mountains
There is a mountain in my yard. It is the last of the big plastic toys remaining since I began replacing them with more natural, open ended items. At one time the mountain belonged to my own – now adult … Continue reading
Posted in Outdoor Play, Science & Sensory
Tagged gravel, open ended toys, physics, Recycling, Unstructured play, water
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The Water Cycle
It is the middle of March and record breaking temperatures have melted all the snow in my yard. Seriously, there is no snow at all – None! Just look at this picture from the end of March last year. Yesterday … Continue reading
Posted in Outdoor Play, Science & Sensory
Tagged Emergent Curriculum, Loose parts, risk and safety, Science, Unstructured play, water cycle, Weather
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Two Weeks Outdoors
Last Thursday I attended a meeting of the Manitoba Nature Action Collaborative for Children – MNACC for short. I have been part of the MNACC group since its inception after several of us returned from attending the 2008 World Forum … Continue reading
Posted in Outdoor Play
Tagged adventure, Nature, Schedules, two weeks outdoors, Unstructured play
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Investigation
Last week the temperature was mild — not quite warm enough to melt all the ice but comfortable for playing in the snow without getting soaked. The children were curious, probing, questioning and making discoveries. It had not been cold … Continue reading
Posted in Outdoor Play, Science & Sensory
Tagged curiosity, Loose parts, Unstructured play, water
1 Comment
Ice & Snow
We love playing in the snow. We climb up and slide down mountains of snow. We sculpt and build with chunks of snow. We dig tunnels and dens as homes for all sorts of creatures. There is no end to … Continue reading


