“Recess is the Hardest Subject”: Scaffolding Unstructured Play for Neurodivergent Kids You know what? The hardest part of the school day isn’t long division. It isn’t writing an essay on the Romans. It isn’t even the spelling test on a Friday afternoon. For many of our neurodivergent students, and honestly, for many of us parents … Read more
“Destructive” Play: A Teacher’s Guide to Learning and Development in Early Years The term “destructive play” often conjures images of chaos: broken toys, scattered blocks, and frustrated adults. As early years educators, we frequently see children pushing things over, purposefully dropping objects, or disassembling items. Naturally, we might perceive these actions as misbehavior, defiance, or … Read more
The Power of Play and Transforming Schemas in Early Learning Despite its acknowledged importance, UK classrooms face a tension between recognising play’s value and applying it practically. Play opportunities have experienced “marked reductions,” often because play and learning are viewed as separate entities, with play relegated to a reward rather than a core teaching approach. … Read more
Why is Solitary Play Important for Neurodiverse Children? For many neurodivergent individuals solitary play isn’t merely a preference; it can be a vital, affirming, and deeply enriching experience. Solitary play, also known as independent play, refers to any form of play or activity an individual engages in alone, without direct interaction or collaboration with others. … Read more
Multi Sensory Weather Lessons for Early Years Weather is a captivating subject for young children, offering endless opportunities to explore the natural world. Through a multisensory approach, educators can create hands-on experiences that make abstract ideas like rain, wind, and sunshine more relatable and engaging. In this article, we explore how to teach weather using … Read more
What Is Therapeutic Play? Therapeutic play is a distinct form of play that goes beyond the enjoyment and creativity typically associated with general play. It is intentionally designed to support specific developmental and emotional regulation goals while preserving the child’s autonomy and intrinsic motivation. Unlike conventional play, which may focus primarily on entertainment or leisure, … Read more
10 Muddy Puddle Adventures for Little Explorers! Who doesn’t love puddle jumping and outdoor play? Ready to turn those rainy days into play days? Grab your wellies and let’s dive into the wonderful world of muddy puddles! Here are 10 fantastically fun activities that’ll have you giggling, splashing, and creating muddy memories in no time. … Read more
Playing With Blocks to Enhance Learning Playing with blocks has always been my daughter’s favourite thing to do. It started with hand-me-down wooden blocks – I think from Woolies (RIP). Anyway, she is the 4th to play with this specific tub. Now under my expert tutelage, she is a Lego fan but the blocks are … Read more
The Therapeutic Nature of Play Play is a fundamental aspect of childhood, inspiring awe and wonder as children explore and problem-solve, learning about the world around them each step of the way. While the benefits of play for physical development are clear—enhancing motor skills and coordination through the manipulation of resources, its therapeutic value has … Read more
100 Shaving Foam Activities creativity and learning collide with a delightful surprise—shaving foam! This versatile sensory material isn’t just for the bathroom anymore. In the classroom, shaving foam can transform everyday lessons into hands-on, sensory-rich experiences that captivate young learners. The possibilities are nearly endless, from exploring the alphabet to simulating volcanic eruptions. Join us … Read more
DIY Sock Bubble Blower For Shared Attention Introduction Making your very own bubble blower at home can be an incredibly fun and easy activity for both kids and adults alike. In this article, we’ll guide you through the simple steps to create a DIY sock bubble blower that will provide hours of entertainment for little … Read more
Over-scheduling Children: The Importance of Unstructured Playtime In today’s world, children are frequently overscheduled with structured classes, lessons, and digital devices. While organized activities provide benefits, the importance of unstructured play must not be dismissed. Unstructured play refers to child-directed, freely chosen indoor or outdoor activities without predefined educational goals or direct supervision or direction … Read more
Using Cardboard Boxes in Pretend Play & Learning Cardboard boxes are one of the easiest play resources to acquire for free. As the Founder and Lead Researcher of the Inclusiveteach Project, one of my core focus areas is studying how we can empower creativity and development in children. Pretend play has long been recognised by … Read more
ImaginativePlay Benefits: Why Kids Need It and How to Promote It Imagination play, or pretend or creative play, is a vital part of childhood and has many benefits. When children engage in make-believe scenarios, take on exciting roles, and experiment with unique storylines, they reap tremendous developmental benefits. Whether it’s a simple game of house … Read more
Playing the Game of Marbles: A Fun and Educational Activity for Children Marbles are small, round, and colourful balls that have been around for centuries. They are not only fun to play with but also offer many educational benefits for children of all ages. In this article, we will explore some of the ways that … Read more
What is Independent Play? Independent play refers to the time when children play alone without the direct involvement of others. This doesn’t mean they’re isolated or neglected; instead, they’re learning how to entertain themselves, explore their environment, and develop their creativity and imagination. It’s a crucial part of a child’s development, fostering resilience, independence, and … Read more
Finger Painting: A Fun and Educational Activity Finger painting is such a fun, messy activity for Children. I love seeing my little one explore colours and textures through this process. Not only is it entertaining, but finger painting also provides several educational benefits. It is mentioned in the EYFS Development Matters Curriculum Guidance from the … Read more
Did you know that 90% of a child’s brain development happens before the age of 5? This striking fact highlights the importance of the early years foundation stage (EYFS) in shaping young minds. It’s time to revolutionise your approach to EYFS teaching, with evidence-based strategies that maximise your young explorers potential. Imagine a classroom where … Read more
Why is Imaginary Play Important? When you see your little one engaged in an elaborate pretend scenario, don’t dismiss it as ‘just playing.’ Imaginary or pretend play provides incredible cognitive, social, and emotional benefits that can give your child a developmental boost. This article will explore why pretend play is so important and how parents … Read more
Turn-Taking and sharing Activities for Toddlers Turn taking is a pivotal social skill that children must acquire early in life. It’s an essential component of social interaction, allowing them to effectively, and positively, engage with others. Turn taking is a behaviour for learning that helps in activities where the child needs to share attention, participate … Read more
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