Temesha,
Thank you for getting this conversation started! I have found the easiest way of overcoming the overwhelming sense of refresh is adopting the "less is more mindset". Often as educators we feel the need to add this, and this, and ooh this will be good for XX.... and so forth. We begin a snowball effect and all of a sudden our classrooms are jam packed and the children are still "bored" with these toys that we thought they'd enjoy.
By increasing the number of loose parts in the classroom, children are able to use them in a variety of ways to refresh the room themselves. Simply moving a loose parts basket from lets say block corner to housekeeping can be new and inviting and takes very little time. Loose parts and old picture frames work great at allowing children to create over and over again in different ways and perspectives. Additionally, by using loose parts, we are able to keep costs low (as we can often find these thrifting, recycling or contacting communities), as well as increasing creative thinking and executive functioning by allowing the child to think through what that part is in that moment.
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Heather Ha
PPPIF Facilitator
Program Manager
CHI St. Joseph Children's Health
Lancaster, PA
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-27-2019 12:48 PM
From: Temesha Ragan
Subject: Let's Play!
Let's trade ideas! We all know how important play is for ECE, but sometimes we become overwhelmed with trying to refresh our environments. So, let's trade play ideas and activities that have worked in your programs. Activities that have engaged the children, increased their knowledge or helped with skill building.
I look forward to seeing all the new ideas we pass on!
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Temesha (Ms. Tessie) Ragan
Family Child Care IF Facilitator
Perfect Start Learning
Family Child Care Provider
Edwards, CA
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