For as long as I have been teaching, I have been taking my toddler and preschool classes on short walks at least twice a week.  These walks serve a few different purposes; we all get a little time outside to stretch our legs, we get to see how our community changes throughout the seasons, we practice safety rules, and I get to see the world from their perspective. When we start our walks at the beginning of the year they are usually pretty short, just around the block to get used to the idea of walking together.  By the time summer gets here we can walk pretty far, and spend…

My students are itching to get outside, and I love it! I am a huge advocate for outdoor play, especially because there is so much than can be learned from digging in the mud and chasing each other around the playground.  I firmly believe that outdoor play time should be unstructured.  Children need to explore, they need to get messy, and make up their own games.  These activities build confidence, self-esteem, and creativity, but some times children need a little nudge.  Many children don’t get the opportunity to play outside often, so here are some materials that you can include in your outdoor play space that will encourage children to…

Now that spring is really almost here (we’re so close I can feel it!) I’m desperate to be outside with my students.  I’ve been drooling over some really impressive playgrounds, and I had to share them with you! Amazing sound exploration center from Babble Natural landscaped sandbox from Mummy Musings and Mayhem Outdoor work space (great art opportunity!) from Kiwi Teacher Loose parts for the playground from Puzzles Family Day Care Easels for the playground from Sun Scholars Easy, beautiful sun canopies from Let the Children Play My favorite thing about each of these ideas is that they are actually do-able.  I could really make any of these great play…