Blog - My Play Based Classroom
Hi there!
I'm Janelle - a play-based early years teacher passionate about creating learning experiences that ignite curiosity, creativity, and academic growth.
On this blog, I share practical tips on meeting curriculum benchmarks through a balance of explicit teaching and play, setting up the ideal learning environment and fostering social-emotional development.
Let’s make play-based teaching work in your your preschool, kindergarten, and first grade classrooms!
Child-led Learning Provocations that Follow Childrens Interests
Discover how to use child-led learning provocations based on children's interests to boost engagement and meet curriculum goals in your play-based classroom. Includes examples, tips, and a free observation checklist!
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.
Reggio Emilia Provocations
Are you interested in how Reggio Emilia provocations could enhance the teaching and learning in your play-based classroom? Many play-based teachers are aware of the highly regarded early childhood programs from Reggio Emilia in Italy. Discover how you can design learning provocations influenced and inspired by those in Reggio classrooms.
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.
Environment as the Third Teacher
Are you interested in transforming your learning environment into the third teacher? Read this blog post for tips and ideas on how you can get the third teacher working for you.
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.
Teaching Science in Early Childhood
Find out how to effectively teach the early childhood science curriculum in just 40min a week. The children in my class reach curriculum benchmarks easily. In fact, they learn so much more than the mandated curriculum.
Easter Math Activities For Play Based Learning
Looking for engaging Easter math activities for your kindergarten or preschool classroom? These hands-on, play-based learning invitations will keep students focused and learning while exploring counting, sorting, estimation, measurement, and more. Plus, grab the Easter Maths Investigations Pack for an easy, print-and-go setup!
How to Introduce Cardboard Box Construction
Follow these detailed steps to set up your own hands-on Makerspace, Collage Area, Creation Station or Box Construction learning area in your early years learning environment.
This investigation area is an essential part of any play-based classroom.
3 Steps to Setting Up Learning Provocations for Play based Learning
Follow these 3 easy steps to set up an engaging and educational learning provocation. Learn how to create intentional, engaging spaces that focus on the curriculum and children’s developmental needs.
How To Run A Tuning-in Session
The tuning-in session is an important part of the play-based classroom's daily morning routine. It is a 15 to 20 minute designated time used to focus on the current learning intentions, build relationships with the focus children, set photographer and reporter tasks and also model and scaffold desired learning outcomes.
What is a Learning Provocation?
Discover what a learning provocation is and how to use it in your play-based classroom. Learn the difference between a learning invitation and a learning provocation, with real examples, tips, and strategies to spark curiosity and support curriculum goals.
The 10 Essential Areas of A Play Based Classroom
Ready to transform your classroom for play-based learning? This detailed blog post outlines the 10 essential areas you need to create engaging and educational spaces for your students to learn through play.