Loose Parts Nature Play

Loose Parts Learning in K-3 Classrooms https://amzn.to/2UoE2ws   Definitions of Loose Parts in Early Childhood Outdoor Classrooms: A Scoping Review https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1225658.pdf   Nurture in Nature https://nurtureinnature.com.au/   Nicholson’s Theory of Loose Parts https://media.kaboom.org/docs/documents/pdf/ip/Imagination-Playground-Theory-of-Loose-Parts-Simon-Nicholson.pdf   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

10 Amazing Animal Architects: https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/animals/g518/8-amazing-architects-of-the-animal-kingdom/slide-4   Types of Bird Nests: http://people.eku.edu/ritchisong/birdnests.html   Animal Architects Podcast Episode: https://loosepartsnatureplay.libsyn.com/animal-architects   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

Animal Architects   IJECEE Animal Architect Book Review: https://naturalstart.org/sites/default/files/journal/8._book_and_resource_review_-_animal_architects.pdf   Architecture Podcast Episode: https://loosepartsnatureplay.libsyn.com/architecture   Connecting Children to Nature Podcast Episode: https://loosepartsnatureplay.libsyn.com/connecting-children-to-animals   Dreaming Up: https://amzn.to/3eodzqE   I’m Done: https://amzn.to/3tlTi9d   Mama Built a Little Nest: https://amzn.to/3xPqg5l   We Build our Homes: https://amzn.to/3xSh9Rc   A Nest is Noisy: https://amzn.to/3xRmA2P   Animal Architects: https://amzn.to/3tplisq   Roberto: The Insect Architect: https://amzn.to/3vQDLjz   Seaver the Weaver: https://amzn.to/3h5xi00   Connecting Animals and Children in Early Childhood: https://amzn.to/3tnS65g   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.faceb

Early Educators’ Perspectives on Tree Climbing https://naturalstart.org/sites/default/files/journal/6._gull_et_al_0.pdf   Father’s Perspective on Tree Climbing https://loosepartsnatureplay.libsyn.com/fathers-perspectives-on-tree-climbing   Tree Climbing https://loosepartsnatureplay.libsyn.com/tree-climbing   What to Say to Kids Instead of Be Careful https://www.backwoodsmama.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/What-to-Say-Instead-of-_Be-Careful_.pdf   Book Pick: Adventures in Risky Play: What is your Yes? https://amzn.to/3gPv5Wn   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

Children usually prefer play that stimulates their curiosity and gives free rein to the imaginations and creativity. Incorporating loose parts into the environment will enhance their natural curiosity. –Lisa Daly and Miriam Beloglovsky   Tinkergarten Color Activities Frozen colored water on white sheet Chalks/water/paintbrushes on dark sheet and other options Skittles and water Natural egg dyeing Milk, food coloring, dish soap Shaving cream and food coloring Colored ice, salt, pipettes https://loosepartsnatureplay.libsyn.com/ice-as-a-loose-part Clear cup and food coloring—wanted to put it on the overhead projector Light and color Blacklights Light table—transparent colored fabrics, papers, etc. https://loosepartsnatureplay.libsyn.com/light-painting Tissue paper that bleeds colors https://amzn.to/2NWZxS7 Watercolors on snow or ice Transparent colored dividers Self serve jars of colored water (Umbrella House—Tammy Lockwood) Paint in a plastic baggie Colored water spraying on white sheet Collage Color wheel: cr

Those who do not think outside the box are easily contained. –Nicolas Manetta   Makerspace Classes—Trina Deboree https://trina-deboree.mykajabi.com/msreg   Tips for Parents on Teenagers and Creativity: https://www.scholastic.com/parents/family-life/creativity-and-critical-thinking/development-milestones/creative-development-adolescents.html   Light Painting https://loosepartsnatureplay.libsyn.com/light-painting   Fire https://loosepartsnatureplay.libsyn.com/fire-as-a-loose-part   Tinker Cart https://loosepartsnatureplay.libsyn.com/tinker-carts   Rube Goldberg Machines https://loosepartsnatureplay.libsyn.com/rube-goldberg-machines   Exploring Creativity and Loose Parts as Adults https://loosepartsnatureplay.libsyn.com/exploring-creativity-and-loose-parts-as-adults   Book Pick: Wreck this Journal by Keri Smith https://amzn.to/3dhVv1e   Loose Parts Play Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/LoosePartsPlay/ Loose Parts Play Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/LoosePartsPlay/   Inside Outside Michi

52 Things Outside in Winter:  https://52thingsoutside.org/winter/   Book Pick Snowflake Bentley: https://amzn.to/3rCXMbg     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

Books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/loosepartsplay?listId=3JS6DYBFWMX0   Blog Post: https://insideoutsidemichiana.blogspot.com/2021/01/winter-wonderland-books.html   IJECEE: https://naturalstart.org/research     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

Article: https://bit.ly/256BRAP   Exchange: https://www.childcareexchange.com/   Definitions of Loose Parts in Early Childhood Outdoor Classrooms: A Scoping Review - https://naturalstart.org/sites/default/files/journal/6._gull_et_al._formatted_draft_v2.pdf Loose Parts Nature Play Podcast - http://loosepartsnatureplay.libsyn.com/    Loose Parts Play Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/LoosePartsPlay/    30 Plus Approaches to Loose Parts Blog Post - http://insideoutsidemichiana.blogspot.com/2017/05/30-plus-ways-to-approach-loose-parts.html    Approaches to Loose Parts Podcast Episode - http://loosepartsnatureplay.libsyn.com/approaches-to-loose-parts-play    Loose Parts and Intelligent Playthings Categorized by Schema - https://brucecounty.on.ca/sites/default/files/Loose%20Parts%20By%20Schema_0.pdf     Loose Parts Play Facebook Page   Loose Parts Play Facebook Group   Inside Outside Michiana Facebook Page   Loose Parts Nature Play Website  

Math and Loose Parts on Amazon Book Pick: Messy Maths   Loose Parts Play Facebook Page   Loose Parts Play Facebook Group   Inside Outside Michiana Facebook Page   Loose Parts Nature Play Website  

Special episode for the Environmental Education Association of Indiana’s Vision 2020 virtual conference! http://eeai.org/2020-Conference Listen to a special guest, Indiana Master Naturalist, Jim Carpenter, read his nature poetry. I was mesmerized! Hope it brings you back to dipping your toes in the water too!    Loose Parts Play Facebook Page   Loose Parts Play Facebook Group   Inside Outside Michiana Facebook Page   Loose Parts Nature Play Website

Simple Machines Outdoors Podcast: https://loosepartsnatureplay.libsyn.com/simple-machines-outdoors   Rube Goldberg Machines Podcast Episode: https://loosepartsnatureplay.libsyn.com/rube-goldberg-machines   Ramp Investigations Podcast: https://loosepartsnatureplay.libsyn.com/rolling-into-physics-ramp-investigations   Natural Start Alliance Conference: https://naturalstart.org/nature-based-early-learning-conference   Tinkergarten: https://tinkergarten.com/activities   Books, Materials and Resources on Amazon   Book Pick: Cultivating Outdoor Classrooms: https://amzn.to/2FCaYKG   Loose Parts Play Facebook Page   Loose Parts Play Facebook Group   Inside Outside Michiana Facebook Page   Loose Parts Nature Play Website

Jean Lomino https://forestteacher.org/   Building Observation Skills with Sit Spots https://www.oraeyc.org/single-post/2017/12/11/Build-Childrens-Observation-Skills-with-Sit-Spots   Merry Lea NBECE Regional Network: https://www.goshen.edu/merrylea/nature-based-early-childhood-education-regional-network/     Coyote’s Guide to Connecting with Nature https://amzn.to/2DF0Xev   Loose Parts Play Facebook Page   Loose Parts Play Facebook Group   Inside Outside Michiana Facebook Page   Loose Parts Nature Play Website

Note the children’s interest. Have children show/explain the interest. Facilitate brainstorming for extension or IRL options. Group/categorize ideas. Make the ideas visual. Do it! PLAY! Celebrate and document!   Go Wild! 101 Things to Do Before you Grow Up https://amzn.to/2WJgJf1   Loose Parts Play Facebook Page   Loose Parts Play Facebook Group   Inside Outside Michiana Facebook Page   Loose Parts Nature Play Website

Find items mentioned at: https://www.amazon.com/shop/loosepartsplay?listId=ZKLGAJ3PMEFW   Grab and go sets/STEM Bins   Individual sized containers --small tackle boxes --clear pencil boxes (back to school time) --mesh bags --individual plastic bags --canvas bags when not under COVID issues   Fill the bins --Break down larger sets --Consider manipulatives --use what you have --rocks --random stuff --theme based --small world items --arts and craft products --small cups --dollar store craft items --combination of materials   Rotate --keep the same items with the same child over several days --rotate out over 72 hours to lessen chance   Clean --involve children in the cleaning process --develop a process to do it quickly and efficiently   Store --accessible --cart --at students’ desks   Extensions --paper to sketch/write about what was done --planning/report sheets --writing extensions with space for drawing --examples of art/design/buildings/structures --reused and combined in many ways --challenge and extend p

Handwashing Options from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/loosepartsplay?listId=3S3JLZKB1BQ13   Information and tips from Juliett Robertson: https://creativestarlearning.co.uk/early-years-outdoors/hand-hygiene-outdoors/   Pinterest board: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/creativestar/outdoor-nurseries-forest-kindergarten/hand-hygiene/   Spatap: https://spatap.com/   Tippy Tap videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gPbKvem-vg   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4d1nLpqx0M&fbclid=IwAR2qbq-cwAGxv5G80ywHDnFDpiq6s-PBF1qz6fy55Get2bL5AQ0vXntuXVU   CDC suggestions: https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/hygiene/hand/handwashing.html   Quote: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it best, so here’s a direct quote: “Regular handwashing, particularly before and after certain activities, is one of the best ways to remove germs, avoid getting sick and prevent the spread of germs to others. It’s quick, it’s simple, and it can keep us all from getting sick. Handwashing is a win for everyone, except the germs.”

Slate School Education Idea Lab https://www.facebook.com/SlateSchool/   NINPA https://www.facebook.com/naturepreschools/   NAEYC Leadership Institute https://www.naeyc.org/virtual-institute   Ooey Gooey Lady https://www.facebook.com/pg/OoeyGooeyLady/videos/?ref=page_internal   Play Empowers https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1723076201149669&id=326622114128425&__xts__[0]=68.ARADM3Va87XC1jIHlTzOUpXX2757wZl5QxQZcDZLWUTzKrjlXAuYmT_aZT_DAV5yYWs0aG3QNJ9LGjwpowK1A_thmw2NlEFF4mxJLqDKeQxqDUBrcbpbD5QFX2rHNVLkHEXMwOuHJLOYaApH--MB3awuNuQiiVZcc6e5AyJw5cxAqxZPSQShQ1ba_wPxEkXx3AyIzQV7Ttegztwxw1aGOTqTaOgOl6yCHu6eJNSKoaTNpnHbFZO7D0Ibauc4QW42aHLE9KnbvY5z4nFAfjCgnfKrqGxmqBvrSHyaLyuePMLkQBDxckfbpUnZ5mfMmdtZHXbn1hduqchfOqcH0rSHzEre_Q&__tn__=-R   Rob Fox—Active Childhood UK https://www.facebook.com/groups/545063349033409/   Transforming Challenging Behavior Conference https://www.challengingbehaviorconference.com/     Low Cost: Marc Armitage Nikki Buchanan 7 Day Loose Parts Challenge STEM Conference  

The World’s Most Extraordinary Homes (Netflix) Cas Holman, Art of Design (Netflix)   Architecture Loose Parts Post: https://www.facebook.com/TheVeryYoungExplorer/posts/1110289942676462 Building with Index Cards, Toothpicks, Playdough, and Tape: https://www.facebook.com/groups/LoosePartsPlay/permalink/3201233149898283/     Books about Fort Building: http://insideoutsidemichiana.blogspot.com/2019/01/fort-building-story-books.html   Den Making Podcast Episode: https://loosepartsnatureplay.libsyn.com/fabric-as-a-loose-part-den-making   Book and product picks (aff links): Rigamajig: https://amzn.to/2XCTq6w Rigamajig Jr.: https://amzn.to/2XzTJih   Iggy Peck Architect: https://amzn.to/2X7wSKR (great bridge!) Iggy Peck and the Mysterious Mansion (early chapter book): https://amzn.to/2zLsqcG Building Up: https://amzn.to/2XcRqlj (Loved the real life pictures of buildings, the architect profiles, and GREAT quotes by the architects!)   Loose Parts Play Facebook Page   Loose Parts Play Facebook Group   Inside Outside

Disclaimer: I am not your licensing agent or your state governing agency— please find your recommendations locally and see what might work for your space, students, and families.   Picture of preschoolers in socially distanced chalk squares while outside: https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/497617-viral-photo-shows-preschoolers-confined-to-chalk-squares-for   Find recommendations at: CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/guidance-for-childcare.html https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/index.html https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/schools-faq.html   WHO: https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus#tab=tab_1   Boulder Journey School Virtual Dialogue Series: http://educators.boulderjourneyschool.com/virtualdialogue.html Info for Parents: http://educators.boulderjourneyschool.com/covid-19-updates.html   Book for children around COVID 19: https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/09-04-2020-chil

Challenge: Find one small area of your loose parts that needs a storage revamp this week and work on it. Share your success in the LPP group!   Intaking Donations Podcast Episode: http://loosepartsnatureplay.libsyn.com/intaking-loose-parts     Provoking Play, Inviting Wonder Called it organized hoarding https://provokingplayinvitingwonder.com/2018/10/05/loose-parts-series-day-5-collecting-and-storing-loose-parts/   Fairy Dust teaching—more on displaying in class https://fairydustteaching.com/2016/10/12-ideas-for-storing-loose-parts/   Loose Parts Toolkit 26-29 https://www.inspiringscotland.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Loose-Parts-Play-Toolkit-2019-web.pdf   Nature Explore Storage Options: http://shop.natureexplore.org/s.nl/sc.1/category.1517/.f   Pinterest Storage Options: https://www.pinterest.com/outsidemichiana/loose-parts-play-how-to-store-and-display/   Book Pick (aff link) Playing It Up with Loose Parts https://amzn.to/35Mg9R6   Loose Parts Play Facebook Page   Loose Parts Play Facebook Grou