Whether it’s snowing, raining, sunny, windy, or cloudy with a rainbow above, playing in weather can be an incredible sensory and imaginative experience. Encourage children to play in all weather to learn about the world around them from rain to rainbows!
Thrilling play, often called risky play, invites children to explore speed and momentum, height and elevation, the use of adult tools, natural elements, and rough and tumble play.
Encourage children to explore their senses, stretch fine motor skills, and be creative using materials of different colors, textures, sizes, and more. What can children mold, manipulate, stack, arrange, pattern, color, or imagine as they explore 3D art?
This framework uses a house to represent five integral elements of quality teaching and learning for children ages birth to 5 in all program options.
Messy play is a great way to experience natural elements with all the senses. Help children explore textures, sounds, and smells of materials. Make a mud puddle outside for children to splash in; use a sensory table to splash, scoop, and pour water; and more!
Invite children to go on an adventure to find bugs on your outdoor area, backyard, or local playground. Ask children where they think they will find insects — always following their lead in the shared exploration.
Did you know that experimenting with rhythm connects music, math, and culture? Model musical exploration, share in the joy, and follow children’s interests with types of music and ways to express themselves..
Make-believe play is an important part of a research-based curriculum and practices you use every day. The sky is the limit as children create play experiences to explore scenarios from their world and beyond!
Take a nature walk and roll! Children and adults might be walking or rolling around in a stroller, buggy, or wheelchair. All ways of moving are wonderful, and we encourage choosing a pathway that works for everyone.
Staff can use this information to plan and carry out open ended, joyful play activities with children enrolled in Head Start programs.