Loose Parts Nature Play

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Latest Episodes:

When You Wonder, You're Learning Jan 12, 2023

Show notes

Book: When You Wonder, You're Learning: Mister Rogers' Enduring Lessons for Raising Creative, Curious, Caring Kids by Gregg Behr and Ryan Rydzewski

Pictures from the Pittsburgh Trip!

The Mattress Factory

Pittsburgh Children's Museum

SLB Radio

Museum Lab

Carnegie Science Center

Pittsburgh Botanic Garden

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/

Loose Parts Play Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/LoosePartsPlay/ Inside Outside Michiana Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/InsideOutsideMichiana/ Loose Parts Nature Play Website: https://loosepartsnatureplay.org/

Sense of Wonder Dec 23, 2022

Show notes

Indiana Children and Nature Network

ICAN Play 30 and Seasonal Book Chat

Book Pick: The Sense of Wonder by Rachel Carson

"For most of us, knowledge of our world comes largely through sight, yet we look about with such unseeing eyes that we are partially blind. One way to open your eyes to unnoticed beauty is to ask yourself, "What if I had never seen this before? What if I knew I would never see it again?" ― Rachel Carson

"Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts." ― Rachel Carson

"It is not half so important to know as to feel." ― Rachel Carson

"The years of early childhood are the time to prepare the soil. Once the emotions have been aroused - a sense of the beautiful, the excitement of the new and unknown, a feeling of sympathy, pity, admiration or love - then we wish for knowledge about the object of our emotional response. Once found, it has lasting meaning." ― Rachel Carson

"Many children... delight in the small and inconspicuous." ― Rachel Carson

"It is more important to pave the way for the child to want to know than to put him on a diet of facts he is not ready to assimilate." ― Rachel Carson

"The lasting pleasures of contact with the natural world are not reserved for scientists but are available to anyone who will place himself under the influence of earth, sea, and sky and their amazing life." ― Rachel Carson

"If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder … he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement, and mystery of the world we live in." —Rachel Carson

Discussion Questions:

What is a sense of wonder?

How do we regain the sense of wonder in ourselves?

How do we share the sense of wonder with our children?

How can we share and rediscover the sense of joy and wonder with children?

What other resources help you with wonder?

What's the difference between wonder and curiosity?

If you want to witness a natural display of a sense of wonder, just observe a child. A child's whole world is viewed through the eyes of wonder and excitement. A child has no judgements of why things are so, but rather a child is in awe of life and views life through innocence, purity and curiosity. –Mary Paleologos

Join us!

THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2023

8 PM – 9 PM, Eastern Time

Spring ICAN Play 30 and Balanced and Barefoot Book Chat

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/

Creativity, Playground Ideas, and Nudelkart Nov 07, 2022

Show notes

Join Marcus Veerman to discuss loose parts and the Nudelkart!

Nudelkart

Resources and Manuals

Playgroundideas.org

Theory of Loose Parts: How Not to Cheat Children

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/

Cultivating Confidence: An Interview with Ronnie Green Oct 18, 2022

Show notes

Listen to Ronnie Green share about dealing with behaviors around loose parts. Find her at:

Cultivating Confidence: Early Years Consultancy

Additional resources shared in this episode:

Michelle Thornhill Schema and Loose Parts

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/

Getting Outside with Tweens and Teens Sep 30, 2022

Show notes

Why Get Outside with Tweens and Teens

Less screen time
Physically active
Mental health
Decreased stress
Experience awe and wonder
Healing power of nature
Skill building
Career exploration

Challenges and Opportunities

More reliance on technology
Seeking more independence
Often more influenced by peers
Developing identity
Expanding independence

Tips for Getting Outside

Increase adventure
Bring along friends
Let them plan
Involve food!
Family traditions
Follow their interests
Connect with groups
Include technology
Find ways to serve!
Consider safety

Indiana Master Naturalists

The STEM Connection

Citizen Scientist Projects for Teens

Indiana Children and Nature Network—Tweens and Teens 3 webinars available!

Part 1--The STEM Connection and Indiana Master Naturalists Part 2--Joe Pounds and Authentic Engagement Part 3--Tips and Resources with Dr. Carla Gull from ICAN

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/

Social Emotional Learning and Loose Parts Aug 25, 2022

Show notes

Get to know our own emotions—Atlas of the Heart, Brene Brown, on HBO Max
Recognize inherent aspect of loose parts to allow children to work out issues and meet needs.
Specific "kit" around SEL topics—emotions, faces, etc.
Include books around SEL in other kits, such as I'm Done in a beaver kit, Let's Make Faces by Hanoch Piven and How are you peeling? in an emotions kit, Be a Tree in a tree kit or just on its own (see book list below).
Create a "calm down" kit.
Include lots of options for interacting with animals and dramatic play—puppets, costumes, fabrics, stuffed animals, plastic animals, etc.
Tinkergarten—lots of videos, blogs, and other resources
SEL theory

Loose Parts Nature Play Kits Podcast Episode

Loose Parts Nature Play SEL Kits Handout

Deconstructive Play Handout

Nature/Loose Parts Connected SEL Book Suggestions from Megan Gessler

*Some of Carla's favorite books for Loose Parts that were on Megan's list

Developing Kinship and Empathy

Growth Mindset

Becoming Agents of Change

*Ada Twist, Scientist

*Rosie Revere, Engineer

You are a Beautiful Beginning

The Thing Lou Couldn't Do

Say Something

I am Courage

I am One

*The Most Magnificent Thing

*What Do you do with an Idea? Chance? Problem?

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/

Junior Ranger Program in Kenai Fjords Aug 07, 2022

Show notes

The Nature Pyramid

Experience Nature:

Find a place in the park (or nature) that speaks to you. Close your eyes. Focus on the feeling of the air . . . the sounds and scents around you. When you open your eyes, notice the small details—a drop of dew, light, and shadows. Describe your experience for someone who has never been here—what did you feel, hear, smell, and see . . . Was there something you could taste? (Amy Ireland, for Kenai Fjords National Park Explorer Journal)

Also, it's a mountain goat on the Explorer pin, not a bison! (though I did see a bison at another place)

Bonus Quote (not on the podcast episode, but in the booklet):

"What we do not see, what we do not hear, what we do not touch, we can never really know." St. Lawrence Island Yupik Elder

National Parks Service Jr. Ranger Program

Kenai Fjord National Parks Jr. Ranger Program (They even have an app!)

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/

Getting Started with Loose Parts Jul 04, 2022

Show notes

Getting Started with Loose Parts

Recognize it is already happening!
Play! Start playing with some items and see how else they may be used.
Start with what you have
Classroom Sort/Beautiful Stuff Project
Let go of the control and let it happen
Start with a book or prompt then get out of the way—already had some in the classroom—yes!
Study the children/Invitations/Loose Parts Starts
Involve CHILDREN!
Study and READ (and LISTEN) about loose parts! Exchange articles, professional development books, etc.
Network—Loose Parts Play group!
What 3 things will you do in the next few weeks? Report back!

Podcast episodes to Help:

Hesitant Children—Kids Aren't Playing

30 + Approaches to Loose Parts

7 Loose Parts Myths Exchange Article

Rethinking Loose Parts: Four Key Principles Beyond the Stuff Exchange Article

Finding Loose Parts

Autumn Treasures

Blog Posts

Professional Development Books

Read aloud loose parts books

Video from Gryphon House—junk jar, STEM bins, kits--measurement

Professional Development Opportunities with Me!

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/

Loose Parts Nature Play Kits: Something for Everyone! Jun 24, 2022

Show notes

Why 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: