Open Ended Play with "Loose Parts" Bugs and Gardens

Gardens is a theme that you can use several times.  you can use it to talk about food or you can use it to talk about flowers and plants. To be honest, I'm not sure which is more fun. I like to offer dirt in the sensory area, I leave out material flowers, gloves and garden tools (kids size). I let the kids decide what kind of garden they are gonna create and what they want to put in it. I also like to use this theme as a science experience. I let the kids plant real plants and then over time I encourage them to take care of them as they grow. when they are ready the get planted in the ground. you can further the activity by cooking with their produce.  These are just a Few of my favorite ways to work with this theme.Bugs and plants as a theme is one of the few that i get a little carried away with. You can use it for so many things in so many ways. the fun is endless from scavenger hunts to Gross motor and everything in between.
Some of my favorite ways to use this theme are:

1) Plastic/Sponge bugs in grass, water or sand/dirt (Search and sort by color or type)
2) Plant Parts In the Art area ( let kids create their own plant)
3) Plant and Care for Gardens in Jars or shallow boxes.

Questions To ask For Extending Learning and Engagement:
1) How are Bugs The Same/Different
2) What Is Your Favorite Plant? What Kind Of Plant is it? (Food Plant, Flower, est.)
3) What Are The Different Parts Of A (Name Favorite Bug) I hope you enjoyed these activities, and If there something you might be struggling with? or feeling frustration around while you're creating and engaging at home?  
leave me a message and I would love to help in anyway I can. Fragileangel@wowway.com or leave me a comment below.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Week 52 2017 Learning without Books, Tech or Sitting and Listening

Image
Hello Friends, Have you ever felt like you don't have the resources, Like you are not creative enough to eliminate the struggles you and your child are experiencing as you try to learn and build new skills as you play and explore together? I want to show you that it's just not so! I want to share with you a way that you can Play, Learn and Grow with your child IN SPITE of these feelings of Limitations or Struggles . I believe that when you engage with your child in activities that are centered around them, they naturally are engaged and develop an interest in the activity and learning what lessons the activity provides. Building New Skills and Engagement doesn't have to be work! it can be fun for both you and your child. When I work with clients I help them create "Invitations to Play, Learn and Grow". I describe an invitation as any activity that is set out for a child to explore and engage in at their own pace. These activities are always open ended
Read more

Week 51 2017 Positive Disipline and Re Direction

Image
Hello Friends, Have you ever felt like you don't have the resources, Like you are not creative enough to eliminate the struggles you and your child are experiencing as you try to learn and build new skills as you play and explore together? I want to show you that it's just not so! I want to share with you a way that you can Play, Learn and Grow with your child IN SPITE of these feelings of Limitations or Struggles . I believe that when you engage with your child in activities that are centered around them, they naturally are engaged and develop an interest in the activity and learning what lessons the activity provides. Building New Skills and Engagement doesn't have to be work! it can be fun for both you and your child. When I work with clients I help them create "Invitations to Play, Learn and Grow". I describe an invitation as any activity that is set out for a child to explore and engage in at their own pace. These activities are always open ended
Read more

Kids Will Never Learn Sitting Still! (Simon Says Construction)

Image
Every activity children engage in should be chosen by them. It Should be connected to their skills, Interests, or Needs . when children engage in these kinds of activities, they naturally grow and learn as they are exposed to new things. When they are interested in engaging with or learning more about a topic then they will naturally engage. One of my new favorites that I will use over and over again, is "Simon Says" Construction. This is a game that we played today with my " Play and Learn Group". I have created programs for learning and building news skills using play at home! These are yours to keep as your learn and grow using play! If you have enjoyed my "Simon Say Construction". Then you will enjoy the programs I have to share!  Come Join The Creative Campus: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Thecreativecampus/ where you will find more details about THIS and other fun activities! Your Creativity Producer, and Professional Mess Maker! Theres
Read more