Loose Parts Nature Play Kits: Something for Everyone!
Release Date: 06/24/2022
Heather TeachOutside Taylor
Loose Parts Nature Play
--- Book--Loose Parts Learning in K-3 Classrooms: Loose Parts Play Facebook Page: Loose Parts Play Facebook Group: Inside Outside Michiana Facebook Page: Loose Parts Nature Play Website:
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Megan Gessler
Loose Parts Nature Play
—Oct 26, 2024 Consulting Services --- Book--Loose Parts Learning in K-3 Classrooms: Loose Parts Play Facebook Page: Loose Parts Play Facebook Group: Inside Outside Michiana Facebook Page: Loose Parts Nature Play Website:
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Natural Start Alliance Conference
Loose Parts Nature Play
Join me in a recap of the Natural Start Alliance Conference! Unfortunately, we lost a few voices from the field due to technical issues, but I am grateful for ALL that contributed—I enjoyed getting to know you! There are so many doing great work to help connect children and nature! --- Book--Loose Parts Learning in K-3 Classrooms: Loose Parts Play Facebook Page: Loose Parts Play Facebook Group: Inside Outside Michiana Facebook Page: Loose Parts Nature Play Website:
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The Loose Parts Police: Can we buy loose parts?
Loose Parts Nature Play
on the topic April’s Teaching Tree—NOW Idea Community Plaything’s Loose Parts STEM Kits from Kaplan from Kaplan from Kaplan from Kaplan --- Book--Loose Parts Learning in K-3 Classrooms: Loose Parts Play Facebook Page: Loose Parts Play Facebook Group: Inside Outside Michiana Facebook Page: Loose Parts Nature Play Website:
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Listen to voices from the US Play Coalition Conference!
Loose Parts Nature Play
—great tool with examples! --- Book--Loose Parts Learning in K-3 Classrooms: Loose Parts Play Facebook Page: Loose Parts Play Facebook Group: Inside Outside Michiana Facebook Page: Loose Parts Nature Play Website:
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Nüdel Pod with Marcus Veerman
Loose Parts Nature Play
Learn more about an exciting new product that turns your child from the toy user to the toy maker in this conversation with Marcus Veerman from Nüdel Pod. --- Book--Loose Parts Learning in K-3 Classrooms: Loose Parts Play Facebook Page: Loose Parts Play Facebook Group: Inside Outside Michiana Facebook Page: Loose Parts Nature Play Website:
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Treasure Baskets with Dr. Laura Wilhelm
Loose Parts Nature Play
Book: Basket Options: --- Book--Loose Parts Learning in K-3 Classrooms: Loose Parts Play Facebook Page: Loose Parts Play Facebook Group: Inside Outside Michiana Facebook Page: Loose Parts Nature Play Website:
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Loose Parts Voices from NAEYC!
Loose Parts Nature Play
I brought a RØDE Reporter microphone to the (NAEYC) conference and asked people about loose parts! They could share anything they wanted—a thought, a tip, a frustration, a product, etc. It was so great to see and meet all of you! Check it out! I’ve tried to link what I can below. Hear voices from the following (and more!): Kaplan Early Learning—Check out the I was part of designing! (check out our —I direct this!) , Washington, DC , NJ Eastern Connecticut State University—, lab school Public Television System , San Francisco, CA , FL FL , PA , Chicago, IL ...
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Loose Parts in Action with Lisa Daly
Loose Parts Nature Play
20% off with code LPIA23 until November 30th, 2023. Find the book at Redleaf Press: --- Book--Loose Parts Learning in K-3 Classrooms: Loose Parts Play Facebook Page: Loose Parts Play Facebook Group: Inside Outside Michiana Facebook Page: Loose Parts Nature Play Website:
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Setting Up an Inviting Space with Little Barn Owls
Loose Parts Nature Play
—we chatted about this! Instagram pages: @lbo_charlotteb @littlebarnowls Book--Loose Parts Learning in K-3 Classrooms: Loose Parts Play Facebook Page: Loose Parts Play Facebook Group: Inside Outside Michiana Facebook Page: Loose Parts Nature Play Website:
info_outlineWhy Have Kits?
Grab and go
Organized materials
Find your stuff
Versatile
Accessible for more people
How to use: storytime, grab one for a hike, follow children’s interests, family days, check out at your center, send home kits, children’s free choice, rotate
Types of Kits:
Book extensions: Not a Stick, Mama Built a Little Nest, An Egg is Quiet, A Nest is Noisy
Animal focus: Woodpecker’s Wham, squirrels, beaver, insects, bird nests, spiders
Building: wooden blocks, mini bricks, cardboard tools
Play: stick play, mud kitchen, music and movement, water play, dramatic play, fort play
Natural phenomena: wind, natural loose parts, sound, gardening, senses
Art: nature play dough, watercolors or painting, paper, small loose parts, chalk, ephemeral art
General outdoor tools: tweezers, magnifying glasses, binoculars, twine, buckets, etc.
Academic/curricular: measuring, stonework play (literacy), numeracy, map making, animal architects, faces/emotions, shapes
What to Include: books, pictures, tools, “sparks” or ideas for play, puppets, materials, interesting combinations, natural items
Type of Bags/Containers: clear plastic bags, muslin drawstring backpacks, backpacks, reusable grocery totes, IKEA bags, crates, baskets, dishpans, wagon
Labels: stencils, laminated tags/pictures, fabric labels, numbered system, have children decorate, wooden laser engraved labels
Storage: hooks on a wall at child height, cart, rod with s hooks, large tubs, cubbies, outdoor shed
Funding: grants, use what you have, donations, special fundraiser, collect nature, garage sales
Tips:
- Supplement with nature found outside—use your space and nature!
- Keep an Inventory/Master List to find your materials
- Consider a checkout system for families
- Regularly purge and evaluate bags and materials
- Allow children to choose what kits to take outside each day
- Use a materials list for each bag to visually help keep everything together
- Group connected items together
- Involve children in creating kits customized for their play!
Book--Loose Parts Learning in K-3 Classrooms: https://www.gryphonhouse.com/books/details/loose-parts-learning-in-k-3-classrooms
Loose Parts Play Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/LoosePartsPlay/