Thank you to all my new FB likers!

[butterfly]

Just wanted to say a big thank you to all the people who have 'liked' my facebook page 'Play, naturally'. I'm so touched that so many people think my ideas are interesting! I promise lots of new ideas over the next few weeks! If anyone has any questions or wants any advice re Enabling Environments and activities please message me!!

[LittleLegsCM]

Just wanted to say a big thank you to all the people who have 'liked' my facebook page 'Play, naturally'. I'm so touched that so many people think my ideas are interesting! I promise lots of new ideas over the next few weeks! If anyone has any questions or wants any advice re Enabling Environments and activities please message me!!

Hello lovely, I'm not sure I've liked your page yet. Do you have a link? x

[Cariad]

Liked!
Thanks for sharing

[LittleLegsCM]

found it and liked! x

[butterfly]

Thanks guys! 82 likers - I'm overwhelmed!!

[tashaleee]

have found and liked it as well

[shelly2012]

Liked and subscribed to your blog

[Playmate]

You are welcome, thank you for sharing

[Wheelybug]

Oooh a fellow blogger, off to check out your blog now!

[Baildon bears]

I found your website really interesting , I am curious do you do themed planning or just sensory play. I have lots of little ones also and do a lot of sensory play. I also love playing in rice, so relaxing

[BuggsieMoo]

And me x Will read more in depth later on when I have a bit more time x

[butterfly]

I found your website really interesting , I am curious do you do themed planning or just sensory play. I have lots of little ones also and do a lot of sensory play. I also love playing in rice, so relaxing

No I rarely do 'themed planned' unless the sensory/heuristic ideas I have fit a theme very clearly. This past week I have planned lots of sensory activities based around red, white and blue for the jubilee but only because it worked so seemlessly.

All my resources are recycled or open-ended items - not bought toys

I always offer some sort of heuristic/sensory offering as well.

[VeggieSausage]

On a typical day what do you have out for the children to play with?.....really interested in this line of play

[butterfly]

On a typical day what do you have out for the children to play with?.....really interested in this line of play

My continuous play (always available in small baskets on a book shelf) consists of:
sorting/matching
treasure basket
instruments
blocks
vehicles
selection of discovery bottles
people/animals
basket of soft toys
books

(some of these will be replaced with more heuristic/openended resources over the next few months as i take away all commercial toys)

I also put out two 'play invitations' every day - sometimes together, sometimes one first and then another later

these may be:

sensory - sand, water, salt, messy play etc
heuristic - discovery bottles, sensory rail
art/craft materials

these invitations depend on the age/stage of the children attending

[The Juggler]

My continuous play (always available in small baskets on a book shelf) consists of:
sorting/matching
treasure basket
instruments
blocks
vehicles
selection of discovery bottles
people/animals
basket of soft toys
books

(some of these will be replaced with more heuristic/openended resources over the next few months as i take away all commercial toys)

I also put out two 'play invitations' every day - sometimes together, sometimes one first and then another later

these may be:

sensory - sand, water, salt, messy play etc
heuristic - discovery bottles, sensory rail
art/craft materials

these invitations depend on the age/stage of the children attending

hi hon, I'm still not getting blog updates by e-mail. should I re-register?

[butterfly]

Oh dear Juggler sorry - I haven't updated the blog for about a week but maybe try reregistering. In the meantime check out my facebook page as that is updated more regularly with ideas.

[md0u0131]

Can I just say, I'm so glad I am a) a member of this forum and b) know about your FB page Butterfly. You have really inspired me and I am slowly purging the commercial toys. My three this afternoon (age 4, 3 and 2) have happily played calmly with a tin of buttons, a basket of seashells and some small wooden letters. we've done all sorts and had so many conversations about it all and far more interesting observations.

In the past "free play" would have involved them flitting between one plastic toy to the next with no real interaction.

Thank you!

[ceb99]

A great facebook page! Some lovely ideas, very inspirational. I have told all my childminder friends to check it out

[FussyElmo]

Its a lovely page thank you for sharing

[Two Princesses]

I 'liked' too and am going to steal some of your fabulous ideas if that's ok