Educational play activities for 0-5s

[Breeze30]

Advice needed, please! Are there any topics that mums find there is no information on? If I were to write a book, what types of play activities would you want me to write about?

[TiggyD]

I'm a nursery worker. I hear parents talking about "just playing" quite a lot. I'd like explanations of exactly what children are learning when they're "just playing". From babies hitting a ball (eyes focussing on a moving object etc), to toddlers playing with a cardboard box (permanence of unseen objects, start of role-playing etc), to pre-schoolers learning about capacity by playing with jugs in a water tray.

Maybe do that for the top 20 activities? Dressing up, Lego, sand, water, nursery rhymes etc.

[Breeze30]

Thanks for your feedback, TiggyD!

[Breeze30]

So in both of your nurseries and preschools, where do you get your activity ideas from? Would it be useful if I had a website that listed activities linked to the EYFS?

[Breeze30]

Have just taken a look at your website and blog post on Lego. Really useful, thanks! Which curriculum do you follow for your preschools?

[TiggyD]

So are you writing a book of activities? What are you actually doing?

[TiggyD]

And if you are writing a book, I wouldn't tie it to the EYFS. Official guidelines/curriculums change. You run the risk of it being factually wrong within a few years. Less of a problem with a website, but it would still need updating occasionally. I would just have good ideas and let users link it to whatever system is in vogue at the time.

[Breeze30]

So true, TiggyD. I am actually a secondary school teacher and I know how often curriculums can change!

In answer to your question: what am I planning to do...I was doing some work writing lesson plans for sensory play classes for babies. I loved it so much, but was all the time thinking about how it would link back developmentally and educationally to baby/toddler's learning. I basically have so many ideas, and want to know what to do with them. My friends, who are teachers, loved my ideas and told me to compile my lesson plans in to a book. A friend of mine has also set up a website for me, but I am aware that there is so much information out there (Pinterest etc) and I don't want to waste my time unless I am filling a need out there. I chatted to a few members of staff at local nurseries, and they don't seem stuck for inspiration. They just turn to Pinterest when they are!

So far, your comments have been so helpful in helping me focus my thoughts. Thank you so very much!

[TiggyD]

If you get big enough or useful enough people will skip Google or Pintrest and go direct to your site. If a nursery wants labels they think of Sparklebox (or hopefully a similar one like Twinkl) and head straight there. I think a site aimed at baby rooms might be a good idea. Collate all the Pintrest ideas onto one site. Ask users to contribute more. Have a little section for the educational benefits of the activity.