What is a schema? Schema play is how our children learn to make sense of the world. A schema (also known as a play schema) is like a set of instructions. As adults we use them all the time, and we don’t really notice we’re doing it. Switch on a light or make a sandwich […]
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Have you ever scratched a picture in the sand on a beach? Or built a sandcastle? How did you feel when the waves washed it away? How did you feel when your chalk ‘Wanted’ poster for a ‘LLOST CA’ (Lost Cat) disappeared with the rain? It wasn’t so bad, was it? Why? You expected it.
When it comes to sensory play, there’s a plethora of options to choose from – playdough, slime, Gak, and many more. But there’s another exciting sensory play material that you might not have tried yet: cloud dough. Its soft, mouldable, and delightfully squishy texture offers a distinct sensory experience that sets it apart from other
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With its unique texture and fun-to-play nature, fluffy slime is a fascinating substance that provides both entertainment and sensory stimulation. If you haven’t introduced your child to fluffy slime yet, it’s high time you did! Unlike regular slime, it has a soft, airy texture, much like a marshmallow, making it more exciting to touch, squish,
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Are you worried about your child’s writing? It’s a common concern, and something many subscribers ask me about. Here’s a recent email: My son is 4.5. He’s starting school in September as a deferred child as he turns 5 late summer and I wanted him to be the oldest in the year and not the
Babies have treasure baskets and toddlers have heuristic play. But what’s the equivalent for an inquisitive preschooler? What box of treasures can you offer that is full of challenge and possibility? A toy box of everyday things. Your home already contains all kinds of interesting ‘toys’ that will engage and inspire your child. They are
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Kinetic sand has a unique flowing quality that can be moulded and shaped, yet acts much like a liquid when allowed to fall or move on its own. This fascinating, squishy play material is sure to provide hours of creative and educational play. What is kinetic sand? Kinetic sand is a play material that mimics
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Slime is yucky. Slime is fun! The first time you push your fingers into it, you’re not so sure. You hesitate. And that’s the point. Slime is perfect for sensory play, a malleable material that should feature regularly in your child’s early explorations. The slight revulsion toddlers and preschoolers feel when they approach slime and
Gak is slime and slime is fun. There are some differences (see below) but, in essence, Gak is a slimy, sensory adventure that’s both fun to make and even more fun to explore. It’s a wonderfully squishy and stretchy substance that has a unique texture and elasticity fundamentally different from most common play materials like
Oobleck is weird. It sits at the junction of science and fun, a bit of both and a lot of neither. Water and honey flow easily when you pour them. They are ‘Newtonian’ fluids which means they behave as you would expect, no matter how quickly you try to push or stir them. But Oobleck