Woodland Forest Small World Play (Math and Literacy embedded in Play)

Our youngest learners have spent many hours playing with this woodland forest small world play sensory tray. What’s more than natural materials and loose parts for open-ended play lies an opportunity to think more deeply about literacy and numeracy. Naturally, adults would see this provocation as an invitation for children to share stories with lots of oral language… Read More Woodland Forest Small World Play (Math and Literacy embedded in Play)

September 10, 2016 meljmaxwell4 Comments

A Reggio-Inspired Classroom Design – Kinderland Tour Part 2

It’s not just another classroom with neutral colours, stones, and baskets. We live in Muskoka and our environment as the third teacher reflects our culture of living and how we encourage children to care for our forests. We spend lots of time exploring forests using a forest-school type approach: playing with bugs, building dens, and inquiring about… Read More A Reggio-Inspired Classroom Design – Kinderland Tour Part 2

August 31, 2016August 31, 2016 meljmaxwell20 Comments

Small World Zoo

Have you tried infusing math into your small world play? We love wood cookies and have many in our room and outdoors. Some are numbered, some have dots, others have letters or words on them. Constant exposure to numbers, letters and sight words in small world play is such a simple and easy way to… Read More Small World Zoo

March 8, 2016March 8, 2016 meljmaxwell1 Comment

Ideas to Invigorate Your Small World Shelves

Children love to play on surfaces and in nooks. It’s a given that children enjoying playing on the floor because there is room to spread out and take their play as far as they can dream. However, there are also times when children enjoy when the space is limited and they can create within a set… Read More Ideas to Invigorate Your Small World Shelves

January 23, 2016 meljmaxwellLeave a comment

Maps with Loose Parts

The emergent curriculum is integral to our program planning. A couple young learners had been excited about drawing maps. They added detail such as lakes and houses. They enjoyed explaining their intricate maps, it’s purpose, and how others can use their maps. We asked them if they would like to continue their learning and work… Read More Maps with Loose Parts

October 4, 2015 meljmaxwellLeave a comment

Grass Box, Number Mushrooms and Fairy Houses

Connecting early learners with nature and the environment is central to our programming. We are continually looking for new ideas to bring the outside in and vice versa. This grass box has been well-loved even in the winter months. Children are naturally drawn to plants and things that are alive. Many come to play at… Read More Grass Box, Number Mushrooms and Fairy Houses

October 3, 2015October 3, 2015 meljmaxwellLeave a comment

Frozen Small World Play

The interest in the movie Frozen continues in Kinderland. Like many classrooms, our kinders too wanted a small world play of Frozen. Many stories were created in this space. Many retells were had. Many creations were designed and constructed here by a mighty team. First we asked them what they wanted to do in the space.… Read More Frozen Small World Play

December 21, 2014September 21, 2015 meljmaxwellLeave a comment

inspired by play

Inquiry-based Learning / Outdoor Learning / All Things Play

Category: small world play