“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
The Curiosity Approach, with its child-led, play-based framework, offers unique opportunities to enhance communication skills. Below are five ways curiosity-led activities, such as storytelling with props and collaborative play, support both verbal and non-verbal communication development in autistic learners, grounded in research and innovative design. 1. Encouraging Storytelling with Sensory Props Concept: Using props like … 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
Ultimate No-Cook Playdough Recipe Without Cream of Tartar: Ready in 5 Minutes! Our Youngest loves playdough and whilst we often buy the official stuff when that runs out or gets too yucky we make this. This no cook playdough recipe without cream of tartar is exactly what you need for class or home. It’s soft, … Read more
8 Dramatic Play Ideas for Primary and SEN Classrooms: Role Play Dramatic play and role play unlocks creativity and builds essential life skills in ways that extend far beyond traditional teaching methods. For children with special educational needs (SEN), dramatic play can provide a flexible and engaging way to develop communication, motor, and cognitive abilities. … 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
Understanding and Nurturing Autistic Play in Early Years Settings: Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) teachers play a crucial role in shaping the developmental experiences of young children. Recent research has shed light on the unique aspects of autistic play, providing valuable insights that can help us create more inclusive and supportive environments for autistic children … 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
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
What is Kinetic Sand? Kinetic Sand is a sensory toy that feels strangely satisfying. It is 98% regular sand mixed with 2% silicone oil. That tiny bit of oil makes it soft and stretchy. It flows through your fingers like a thick liquid. But when you squeeze it, it holds its shape perfectly. It never … 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
22 Engaging Ice Play Activities for Kindergarten/EYFS Ice play is a fun and engaging way for kindergarten children to learn and explore their surroundings. It can help them develop their creativity, problem-solving skills, and fine motor skills. In this post, we will discuss some creative ice play activities for kindergarten children that teachers can use … 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
You must be logged in to post a comment.