Tinkering is about playing, exploring, experimenting and setting imaginations on fire! Build a tinker space and ignite a passion for learning.
A great way to keep your toddler entertained is to build them a busy board! All you need is a piece of wood and anything that toddlers love to play with.
Recently, my wife, Carla Sinclair (founding editor-in-chief of CRAFT magazine) copyedited a book called Invent To Learn: Making, Tinkering, and Engineering in the Classroom. As she was editing it, she kept teling me, "this book is great." So I started reading it. She's right. Written by Sylvia Libow Martinez and Gary S. Stager, Invent to Learn (which was published this week) describes the benefits and opportunities of maker-based learning. Almost every page of the book has an insightful gem.
In Defense of Craft, Play and Tinkering : Technology is great, but let's make sure that we don't undervalue craft, play and tinkering in our makerspaces.
Tinkering Summer Camp 14
Open ended play voorbeelden en inspiratie spel & speelgoed
From helping your little one learn about science to making magnetic robot faces, here are eight fun activities to help introduce kids to the magic of magnets.
“Have you ever noticed that if you leave old junk lying around, kids will almost inevitably play with it? Whether it be old cardboard boxes, wooden pallets, pieces of wood, old tires [sic], bits of rope or string, kids will use their imagination and ingenuity to make something. This may make your garden look like a junkyard sometimes, but the experience for the kids is invaluable and it will keep them occupied for hours. Don't try and direct the kids in their play, just let them get on with it.” Nicholson, S, "How Not To Cheat Children: The Theory of Loose Parts", Landscape Architecture 1971. My children love using loose parts. We use very few actual "toys" in our play, as the majority of them have quite limited uses and once they've exhausted those uses, my children generally lose interest. Instead, I prefer to buy and collect open-ended materials that can have a variety of uses, only limited by my children's creativity. Children's desires to use loose parts are often demonstrated through the classic example of them being more interested in the cardboard box that a toy came in, than the toy itself. It allows us to see a child's need to be creative, to think "outside the box," to experiment and to control their play and learning while adapting it to their own interests. Little fingers also love little things. Bits and bobs and trinkets and treasures. Usually with younger children, people assume that anything they can fit in their mouth is too small, a choking hazard and should not be played with. However, I think that so long as there is adequate supervision, this is not always the case. Aside from the development of physical skills, such as fine-motor, hand-eye coordination, etc., children can learn so much from these real life objects that they are able to manipulate and use in a large variety of ways. Of course loose parts don't need to be small items. They include any item that can be used in many different ways. From items in nature such as sticks, sand, rocks, shells, leaves, to junk items, sports equipment, recycled goods and so much more. The way that my children play and interact with loose parts outside and inside differs due to the different materials and space available. Below are some examples of the loose parts that we are currently using for our inside play. From top-bottom, left to right we have pictured: Large plastic buttons perler beads shape blocks (S) wooden cubes glass stones pattern blocks (S) mini erasers matchsticks felt shapes foam numbers river rocks different sizes sticks (S) seed pods small white pebbles coloured glass jellybeans marbles shells wooden numbers pom-poms circles and semi-circles (S) small coloured wooden disks (S) recycled bottle tops Q-tips/cotton buds pony beads Most of these items can be purchased from $2 shops, found around the house or collected from nature. The items with an (S) next to them are part of our Spielgaben set. You can read my review and thoughts on Spielgaben and good quality educational toys here. There aren't any rules about what you can and can't use and it is good to keep adding new materials and mixing things up. The same materials can be used in so many different ways by combining them with various other materials to produce different results each time. I tend to store most of these items in cheap or recycled plastic container that are stackable. I also use things like recycled coffee jars and even vases to keep our loose parts out of the way but easily accessible. Below you can see just a few of the many ways that my children use these loose parts for play and learning. Many of the pictures come from our Instagram account where I often share our loose parts play as it's happening. Some of the pictures I have written posts about and have provided the links for you to check them out in more detail. Muffin tray, divided paint pallet, spoon, tongs, glass stones, shells and seedpods. Shape sort and count with 3D shapes, paper and pen. Marbles and an ice-cube tray Recycled bottle tops and coloured cupcake liners Pom-poms, glass beads, tongs and plastic glasses. Colour match, sort, count and number writing with 3D shapes, coloured paper, plain paper and markers Miniature erasers Playdough, pipcleaners, craft sticks, animals and plastic cups. Invitation to play. Threading patterns with playdough, skewers, 3D shape beads. Glass beads, water, medicine syringe, tongs, plastic containers. Designs using pattern blocks, curved lines, straight lines etc. Make your own playset using loose parts from around your house Enticing literacy. Making and writing words. Straight lines, curved lines, nature flash cards, paper, markers. An invitation to play and learn with numbers and natural materials. Construction building with blocks and tape. Matchsticks, plastic bears and playdough (in the other side of a divided water table). Coloured wooden pegs, bowl, spoon. Which loose parts are favourites with your kids? Happy playing, Debs :) {Disclosure: I have provided the link to the Spielgaben site for your convenience as part of a paid ambassadorship with Spielgaben. All opinions in this article, as always are my own} Look where else we are. Do you play with us here? :) New Here? Subscribe to get all activities sent directly to you Enter your email address: Delivered by FeedBurner
I started a new job last week. I am the new atelierista (art teacher) at a Reggio based preschool close to where I live and I just love love love it! Reggio is a play based approach that I learned about several years ago and immediately fell in love with. There are several key elements to […]
My boys LOVE a good catapult. Last year, we made this marshmallow catapult out of a tissue box, and it was a lot of fun! So when I saw this post on how to make a Tinker Toy catapult on Quirky Momma, I knew my boys would want to try it! In addition to Tinker […]
Great ideas for preschool discovery baskets, for math, small worlds, pretend play and science
Danish Architecture Center and Tinker imagineers joined forces again and created the Educatorium. A ground-breaking educational space where children, adolescents and their parents explore architecture’s magical toolbox. Children are stimulated to act as ‘experts' by tapping into the tools and skills of architects. The design nudges children to go explore architectural concepts. It invites them to experience these with all their senses: ears, eyes, touch, body and mind. By doing this they sharpen their awareness and opinion. And suddenly realise they already possess expert skills, just like an architect.
Use materials from around the house to create a shape geoboard. This simple shape geoboard activity is great for STEAM. Encourage learn through play.
Learn the art of playing piano with Mississauga piano lessons at the best piano schools Mississauga and learn from the best piano instructors Mississauga.
Making electric play dough is a really fun and easy science experiment to try out at home with your kids. They can learn about circuits and electric currents, tinker with the materials and experiment whilst
Amp up the fun and have the kids learn about electricity with this experiment! Use homemade electric play dough - conductive and insulating - to create circuits that light an LED.
By: Diane Kashin, Ed.D, RECE. I love loose parts. I love playing with loose parts and sharing loose parts with other educators. My hope is when adults mess about with loose parts that there will be…
DIY: Zelf muziek instrument maken; 25 voorbeelden om te knutselen met kosteloze materialen. Van een trommel, tot sambaballen, xylofoon, schudinstrumenten en meer voor peuters en kleuters.
Loose parts come in all different shapes, sizes and colors. They stimulate the imagination and develop fine motor skills in kids of all ages. Set up invitations to play and see the true beauty of childhood innocence come forth while kids explore their prompts.
HOURS OF IMAGINATIVE PLAYTIME: Create a whole new world in a tray! This open ended play time box includes lots of different bits and pieces ready to be stacked, balanced and used to create. The lid and compartments are removable so that the box can be filled with sand and used as a blank canvas to start building and creating your own scene. At the back of the lid is a chalkboard so your child can sketch their wonderful new creations OPEN ENDED PLAY BOX: This is a new take on educational toys and is super important for childhood development and new levels of learning through play. Open ended toys are an amazing way for children to develop new skills. with open ended toys, there is no right or wrong answer, end goal or instruction. This means that your child can play with confidence without boundaries, encouraging them to be creative and eccentric as they like. EDUCATIONAL AND EXCITING: This toy helps children to develop important concentration, patience, manual dexterity and cognitive learning skills, while experiencing an exciting and independent playtime. Sometimes open ended playtime can go on for hours or days, it really is all about just letting your child explore, build and create at their own pace. GENDER NEUTRAL AND FUN FOR ALL: This toy has been specially designed to be completely inclusive and gender neutral, a wonderful heirloom gift and a very exciting toy for any clever little boy or girl who loves to ‘think outside the box’. The colour pallet has been carefully selected to be on trend and aesthetically pleasing. Something stunning to complete the nursery. PLASTIC-FREE TOY: Completely plastic free and suitable for children 3 years +. Finished by the most skilled craftsmen using non toxic water stain paints, and tested to the highest standards, making this a strong durable toy created to last. All high quality natural materials. Solid rubber wood that is sustainably sourced using only replenishable wood, we replant every tree we use under a legal government run scheme.
We’ve been having a lot of fun with Tinkertoys lately. Leo got a set for his 4th birthday and it came at just the right time. Today I found an old “Direction and Idea Book” from 1…
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Hours of screen-free fun and creativity! The construction TINKER box is brimming with open-ended creativity ready for you to get making at home. Filled with beautiful, engaging wooden components, your little ones will enjoy 10+ hours of creative, screen-free fun. With no set projects or instructions, our tinker craft b
Projects described in books or shown on Youtube seem absurdly easy, but I have yet come across a project that didn't need any tinkering before I could take it into a classroom. This one isn't too bad, but it still took me longer than I expected. I came across this robotic hand project on Youtube as well as teachengineering.org (I think), but when I tried to build it, it took me almost two hours to work out the kinks. Sure, I did have to try several different versions and had to make adjustments as I went along, but I'm not sure if this is something I can take directly into a classroom of 2nd graders without more tinkering. BUT... I think it'll be fun to try it with my kids. Supplies Needed: Cardboard paper or cardstock paper Standard drinking straws (Dollar Store variety is fine) Pearl drink straws or bigger diameter straws Tape Yarn or twine Project Instructions (as of now): Trace your hand on a cardboard or cardstock paper. Cut the traced hand out (cutting it a little bigger than the actual tracing). Mark your finger joints on the cutout. Draw straight or curved line across it. Fold the fingers at the lines. Cut smaller straws to size (leave a little gap between the lines to facilitate in threading the yarn). Tape straw pieces to the hand. Thread yarn through the straw pieces. Each finger will have a length of yarn of its own. Thread all five pieces of yarn through the bigger straw. The writing on the hand has nothing to do with this project. I was recycling a stack of cardstock paper, and this one came out the best. The threading part was difficult. If I had a big needle for the yarn, it would have made it easier, but I didn't. So, I struggled with it. If I do go forward with this one, I think I'll have to buy big plastic needles for this project. The backside of the robotic hand. I had grand plans for making a sleeve that will cover the arm, but I'm not sure I'll be able to build all of that in an hour let alone a 2nd grader. So, I might still try it, but I probably won't take it into the classroom. If I were doing this in a classroom, I think I'll buy different colored yarns for each finger, so the students will know which finger they are trying to move. With the same colored yarns, it was difficult to figure out which end went with which finger. I'll try to get my kids to make it soon, and post the results. In the meantime, why don't you give it a try? I spent two hours doing it, but it didn't feel like two hours. So, at the end of the day, if you enjoyed it, does it matter how long it takes? Unless, of course, you only have an hour of school science project time. Have a great day and have fun! P.S. - If you have any ideas about making this project more 2nd grader friendly, please let me know. Thanks!
The Zoetrope or “wheel of life” is an analog animation device that predates the dawn of cinema. Invented by William George Horner in 1834, the...
St. Regis Hotels & Resorts unveils The St. Regis Children's Polo Kit, a fully equipped polo set curated by celebrated polo player and St. Regis Connoisseur Nacho Figueras. Four wooden hobby horses, child-size wooden hand mallets, soft polo-style balls and a custom illustrated guide will come in a custom carrying bag for families to enjoy at many St. Regis resorts around the world. Introducing one of the world's oldest and most fascinating sports to the youngest generation of St. Regis' guests, the debut of The St. Regis Children's Polo Club Kit follows on the heels of the brand's launch of the Family Traditions at St. Regis program, which creates experiences that are inspired by the locale and designed for families to collect cherished memories and establish their own family traditions. For more information or to view a special video featuring Nacho and his family showing how the sport of polo is a family tradition, on their ranch in Argentina, please click here.
Take a look at these inspirational play based learning experiences for your classroom - and they're curriculum aligned to boot!
I feel like all I've been doing this year is writing about boxes. These are the top and bottom of a long box that came along with our giant tube (which I've still not had the courage to cut up into shorter pieces). Watching children play with boxes makes me want to write a poem about them. Or sing a song. These they seem to like to hide under, together, making it feel for a few seconds as if there are fewer children at school today. Then suddenly they burst back out into the light, bringing with them all the sound and motion that we expect at Woodland Park. I wish I had a huge warehouse for storing these kinds of thing, but instead we need to use them up, wear them out, then either get them into the recycling bin or cut them up for art projects, like this incredible glue collage on which we've been working off and on for a couple weeks. A project built on a remnant of the last box we loved until it was no more. A collage made of the parts of other things we've used up, but not found the heart to throw out. And then when we're finished gluing, once it's all dry, then maybe we'll throw it out. If history is to be a guide, it will take a long time before that happens. I might even go over it a few weeks from now and pick it like carrion for parts to re-use yet one more time. In fact, I'm pretty sure much of it will soon be stuck to the side of our new long boxes. But not before we've loved them to pieces.
CORONATION Street star Colson Smith has signed up to new ITV TV show The Games where he will take on a series of Olympic sports challenges. The actor, who has played Craig Tinker on the soap for a …
Le coin construction a une place de choix dans nos salles de jeux. Nous avons choisi de l’aménager à la manière des ”loose parts” inspirés entre autre de la pédgogie de Reggio Em…
Materials: 1. Skewers 2. Rubber band 3. Masking tape 4. Plastic spoon 5. Large marshmallow Procedures: 1. Form a triangle as the base by using 3 marshmallow and 3 skewers 2. Use 3 more skewers and 3 more marshmallows to create a pyramid 3. Use the masking tape to secure the plastic spoon on a skewer 4. Take the rubber band and make a loop around the topmost marshmallow 5. Insert your spoon skewer into the base of the marshmallow and also through the rubber band loop. 6. You can play with this after you construct it, but it is advised to be fragile with the device. For an even stronger catapult, you can wait overnight for the marshmallows to harden, so your device will not break so quickly. The Science Behind It: Projectile motion: - Whether you’re throwing a football or baseball up in the air, all these objects will undergo projectile motion. Projectile motion of an object means that the object will travel in a curved path only under the act of gravity. Gravity is the downward force that keeps everything on the ground, and objects would fall at a rate of 9.8 m/s2. The curved path is a mathematical type of curve called a parabola, which is a symmetric curve. This means that the trip downward for a projectile is a mirror image of the trip up. For you to launch the farthest distance, it is advised to launch at a 45 degree angle. Energy: - Elastic potential energy: Think of a time when you pulled a rubber band. The rubber band was very stretchy and elastic. As you pull harder, there is more tension in your rubber band. When there is more tension, there is more elastic potential energy involved. In the case of the catapult, you are pulling the rubber band back to gain enough energy for the launch to occur. - Kinetic energy: When you are walking or running, you are in motion. In order for this motion to occur, you need kinetic energy. Kinetic energy is the energy that is associated with motion. When the projectile is flying through the air, it starts to gain kinetic energy since it is moving in the air. There was a conversion of energy from the elastic potential energy of the rubber band to kinetic energy. - Gravitational potential energy: Have you had a time in which you were on a huge roller coaster? Well, at the highest point on your roller coaster ride, you would have the maximum gravitational potential energy. Gravitational potential energy is the energy that is related to an object’s position. With the catapult, when the projectile is at the highest point of its motion, it has the highest GPE. After gaining that GPE, the energy converts back to kinetic energy when it falls back down to the ground. Reference: http://www.itsalwaysautumn.com/2013/5/31/easy-marshmallow-catapults-summer-fun-for-kids.html
