Loose Parts Nature Play

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 chil

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/ 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/

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/ 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/  

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 Loo

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 A

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 Loo

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 Opp

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 ide

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: http://insideoutsidemichiana.blogspot.com

Chelsea Forest School Stick Play http://www.chelseaforestschool.ca/index.php/en/risk-assessments/   Patrick Dougherty http://www.stickwork.net/featured   Backwoods Mama: What to Say Instead of Be Careful https://www.backwoodsmama.com/2018/02/stop-telling-kids-be-careful-and-what-to-say-instead.html   Boston Outdoor Preschool Network https://www.bopn.org/post/the-importance-of-stick-play   Weapon Play https://seecstories.com/2018/11/08/weapon-play-in-early-childhood-how-to-be-developmentally-appropriate-and-responsive-to-current-events/#:~:text=Weapon%20play%20is%20just%20one,were%20pretending%20to%20shoot%20things. https://portland.momcollective.com/ages-stages/weapon-play/   Tinkergarten Stick Activities Follow the Arrows: https://tinkergarten.com/activities/follow-arrows Bundle of Sticks: https://tinkergarten.com/activities/pick-up-sticks Pickup Sticks: https://tinkergarten.com/activities/pick-up-sticks Build a Dam: https://tinkergarten.com/activities/build-a-dam Build a Wall: https://tinkergarten.com/ac

Exchange Article Link: https://bit.ly/264-Gull   Fire podcast episode: https://loosepartsnatureplay.libsyn.com/fire-as-a-loose-part   Rethinking Nicholson’s Intent podcast episode: https://loosepartsnatureplay.libsyn.com/rethinking-nicholsons-intent   Color Exploration podcast episode: https://loosepartsnatureplay.libsyn.com/color-exploration   Book--Loose Parts Learning in K-3 Classrooms: https://www.gryphonhouse.com/books/details/loose-parts-learning-in-k-3-classrooms   https://amzn.to/3u8UAqI   Roxaboxen: https://amzn.to/3qjTdEx   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: http://insideoutsidemichiana.blogspot.com

Elementary STEM Con 2022 Loose Parts Learning in K-3 Classrooms on Gryphon House Loose Parts Learning in K-3 Classrooms on Amazon Simple Machines Outdoors Podcast Episode Rolling into Physics: Ramp Investigations Podcast Episode Simple Machines Options on Amazon Book: A Stick Until   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: http://insideoutsidemichiana.blogspot.com

Loose Parts Learning in K-3 Classrooms on Gryphon House Loose Parts Learning in K-3 Classrooms on Amazon   Light Painting Podcast Episode   Light and Reflection as a Loose Part Podcast Episode   Aff Links: You Are the Light book Prisms White Umbrella   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: http://insideoutsidemichiana.blogspot.com

Natural Start Alliance Holiday Book Fair Loose Parts Learning in K-3 Classrooms             On Gryphon House The Girl with the Big, Big Questions by Britney Winn Lee Outside, You Notice by Erin Alladin Reading Guide What’s in Your Pocket? Collecting Nature’s Treasures by Heather Montgomery Be a Tree by Maria Gianferrari Wonder Walkers by Micha Archer Many are affiliate links—thanks for helping me buy more books at no cost to you!   Loose Parts Learning in K-3 Classrooms https://amzn.to/3jGVdmX 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: http://insideoutsidemichiana.blogspot.com

November 3rd, but can be done anytime! https://nurtureinnature.com.au/international-stonework-play-day/   Rocks as a Loose Part—Book list! http://insideoutsidemichiana.blogspot.com/2017/11/rocks-as-loose-part.html   A Savior is Born: Rocks Tell the Story of Christmas https://amzn.to/3GiIOOO He is Risen: Rocks Tell the Story of Easter https://amzn.to/304tINw   Storytelling Campference—it was great! https://lpnp--nurtureinnature.thrivecart.com/campference-all-access-package/615c66de557f5/   Holiday Book Fair with Natural Start Alliance—will have a free recording  and list later https://naturalstart.org/bright-ideas/holiday-book-fair-0   Loose Parts Learning in K-3 Classrooms https://www.gryphonhouse.com/books/details/loose-parts-learning-in-k-3-classrooms   TikTok video on Stonework Play https://www.facebook.com/carla.gull/videos/4836000479764746   What Can You Do with a Rock? By Pat Zietlow Miller, Illustrated by Kathie Kath https://amzn.to/31wr1Vf   Loose Parts Learning in K-3 Classrooms https://amzn.to/3j

When classes are studying fairytales, we take it outside to create our own shelters to protect the pigs from the wolf! Move beyond the straw, sticks, and bricks for student choice and voice in their building options. The larger space and outdoor environment give us plenty of room to build, additional opportunities (up in a tree!), and less mess for cleanup. Loose Parts Nature Play: Architecture Pictures of the Three Little Pigs Outdoor STEM Challenge The Three Little Pigs: An Architectural Tale   Loose Parts Learning in K-3 Classrooms https://amzn.to/3jGVdmX 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: http://insideoutsidemichiana.blogspot.com

Leaf Man (aff links) https://amzn.to/3ntc8dD   What’s in your Pocket? Collecting Nature’s Treasures https://amzn.to/3jDnavF   Loose Parts Learning in K-3 Classrooms https://amzn.to/3jGVdmX   Beautiful Stuff: Learning with Found Materials https://amzn.to/3pQCqcq     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: http://insideoutsidemichiana.blogspot.com

Why aren’t children connecting to nature? http://www.nwf.org/Be-Out-There/Why-Be-Out-There.aspx Why should children connect with nature? Quotes http://www.childrennatureandyou.org/quotes.html   Join an online challenge or group Seasonal photo challenges http://www.goexplorenature.com/2012/12/2013-winter-nature-photo-scavenger-hunt.html Weekly topic challenges http://handbookofnaturestudy.blogspot.com/  Outdoor family communities http://www.childrenandnature.org/movement/naturalfamilies/   State Programs DNR—Get Up and Go Outside http://www.in.gov/dnr/kids/5991.htm DNR Kids Page http://www.in.gov/dnr/kids/5991.htm Hoosier Outdoor Child Indiana Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights Patch Programs—challenge, encouragement http://www.in.gov/dnr/parklake/2418.htm   National Programs National Parks—build them into vacations http://www.nps.gov/index.htm NP Webrangers http://www.nps.gov/webrangers/ NP Junior Ranger Programs http://www.nps.gov/learn/juniorranger.cfm No Child Left Inside http://www.eenc.org/index.php/in-t

Exchange Article Link:  https://bit.ly/260-Gull-Rosengarten-Goldstein   Loose Parts Learning in K-3 Classrooms https://amzn.to/2UoE2ws   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: http://insideoutsidemichiana.blogspot.com

Share Tree Climbing Toolkit Risk benefit Consider your risk tolerance What to Say Instead of Be Careful July/Aug 2021 Commonly Asked Tree Climbing Questions in Exchange   Animal architects—build like the animals—podcast episode   Loose Parts Learning in K-3 Classrooms https://amzn.to/2UoE2ws     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: http://insideoutsidemichiana.blogspot.com