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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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