Posts tagged with "child care St Augustine FL"

Expensive toys and digital media are not the only way to keep kids entertained. Giving them the space and basic building blocks to be creative helps them stay engaged and learn to see possibility in simple places. That is why you should consider adding loose fabrics to your list of resources for child care in St. Augustine, FL. From cheap scraps at your local craft store to carpet samples and dollies, small bits of fabric can go a long way toward sparking imagination and engagement. Here are a few ways to use them in your space:

Hanging Decorations — Simple, beautiful, and easy to use, larger pieces of fabric add a textural element to playrooms and classrooms.

Costumes — Elaborate getups are not necessary for dramatic play and dress up. Give children a few pieces of fabric and let their imaginations do the work. They will be more involved in the mental process of creating their stories.

Embroidery Hoops — A great way to practice finger dexterity and get creative in the classroom, these simple circles combine well with loose strings, cords, or even natural additions like pinecones and twigs.

Geoboards — With a few nails and a wood plank, you can let kids explore shapes on homemade geoboards. Best used with stretchy bands and elastic like fabrics.

Make playing with fabrics part of your strategy for child care in St. Augustine, FL. These simple scraps can inspire creativity and practical skills.

Toddlers are natural tinkerers. They want to explore their world with their fingers, picking up and playing with everything they can get their hands on. Introducing loose parts into playtime is a great way to engage your toddlers’ senses and encourage learning. Furthermore, it fits perfectly with the Reggio Emilia approach we follow for child care in St. Augustine, FL, which emphasizes the role that a learner’s environment plays in their education. As your toddler plays with loose parts, they are determining for themselves how those parts fit in with the larger environment and the many ways they can interact with them.

However, how can you ensure your toddler gets the most out of playing with loose parts — and does it safely? We recommend a few simple tips.

First, do not let your toddler play unsupervised with any object that may pose a choking hazard. Remember that loose parts do not necessarily have to be small. For example, large plastic cups are perfect for a toddler to play with.

Next, avoid overwhelming your child by introducing too many different loose parts at once. It is best to add just a few new elements at a time and rotate them in and out as necessary.

Finally, give your toddler objects that range widely in appearance and texture. You want to entice their curiosity and their senses, so gather a diverse array of loose objects for them to play with.

Learn more about the student-centered philosophy of our child care in St. Augustine, FL. We believe in an engaging, self-guided curriculum for all ages.