Welcome to My Play Based Classroom Blog
Hi there!
I'm Janelle - a play-based early years teacher who is super passionate about creating learning experiences that boost curiosity, creativity, and academic growth.
On this blog, I share practical tips for meeting curriculum benchmarks through a balance of explicit teaching and play, setting up the ideal learning environment and fostering social-emotional development.
So, let’s make play-based teaching work in your preschool, kindergarten, or first-grade classroom!
Loose Parts Play Ideas for Early Childhood Learning
Discover loose parts play ideas for early childhood classrooms including art, maths, literacy, science, sensory play, construction and outdoor play using open-ended materials.
The Perfect Loose Parts Play Setup for Early Childhood Classrooms
Discover how to set up the perfect early childhood loose parts play area with simple tips on choosing materials, designing spaces, and using provocations to spark creativity, problem-solving, and learning.
FREE Educators Guide to Loose Parts Play
Discover the transformative power of loose parts play in early childhood education and download my comprehensive FREE Guide to Loose Parts Play. Learn how to use natural and recycled materials to develop creativity, problem-solving, and more in your play-based classroom.
23 Loose Parts Ideas for Early Childhood Math
Looking for ideas on how to use loose parts to teach early childhood math concepts? This blog post has 23 engaging activities and ideas you can use in your classroom.
Natural Loose Parts
Find out what natural loose parts are and the benefits of using them in your classroom. In this blog post you will discover how to easily source loose parts from nature and get started with Reggio inspired natural loose parts play in your classroom. today.
Loose Parts Invitation to Play - How to Set up an Inspiring Loose Parts Invitation to Play
Are you interested in setting up some engaging invitations to play using loose parts? In this blog post you will discover how to use open-ended loose parts in your learning invitations. Learn how to set up those inspiring loose parts provocations and be on your way to fostering engagement and higher order thinking skills in your classroom.
The Teacher’s Role in Loose Parts Play
What is the teacher’s role in loose parts play? In this blog post you will discover which loose parts are best for your children and find out how the teacher plays a vital role in the success of loose parts play in the classroom.
Christmas Maths Activities for Kindergarten
Engage your students with fun, hands-on Christmas maths activities for kindergarten! Explore playful counting, patterning, and sensory ideas like Tree Counting, Christmas Board Games and a Christmas Counting Sensory Bin - all perfect for the end of term.
Loose Parts Christmas Ideas
Discover creative loose parts Christmas ideas for play-based learning! In this blog post you will discover the benefits of loose parts play and how you can use loose parts to spark curiosity and learning in your classroom this Christmas.
Loose Parts Play: What It Is and Why It Matters
Find out what loose parts are and where the idea of loose parts play originated. Discover the benefits of loose parts play and get some easy and practical ideas for loose parts play in your classroom.
Stages of Block Play
Discover the 7 stages of block play and the influences these stages can have to the design of your learning environment. BONUS FREE Block Play Stages pdf to download and print.
Loose Parts Resources
Discover what loose parts are and why you need them in your classroom. Download a FREE list of over 150 loose parts resources you can use to set up age appropriate investigation areas and learning invitations in your early years setting.
Benefits of Loose Parts Play
There are numerous benefits of loose parts play in the early childhood classroom. In this blog post you will discover what loose parts are and the curriculum learning intentions you can teach through loose parts play.