Reflection Time in a Play Based Classroom: How to Run It Effectively

Discover why reflection time is a vital part of a play-based classroom. Learn how to implement Walker Learning reflection strategies to connect play with curriculum and support student growth.

Investigations, Explicit TeachingJanelle McArdle21 October 2024reflection, reflection time, play based, reflecting on learning, student reflection, walker learningComment

Understanding Play Theories: A Guide for Play Based Teachers

Explore play theories from Piaget, Vygotsky, Erikson, Montessori, Reggio Emilia, and Susan Issacs. See how they can inform your teaching in a play-based learning classroom and help you create a rich and supportive play-based learning environment that nurtures children's development and fosters a love for learning.

InvestigationsJanelle McArdle11 September 2023play theories, play based classroom, play based, play based learning, play theory, piaget, Montessori, reggio, Vygotsky, Erikson Comments

The Orientation Schema

In this blog post, you will learn all about the orientation schema and why it needs to be supported in your classroom. You’ll also discover several hands-on playful activities that will help you to support this interesting play schema.

InvestigationsJanelle McArdle16 November 2022play schema, orientation schema, kindergarten, prep, preschool, first grade, grade 1, early years, early childhood, child development, play based learning, play based classroom, play based Comment

Teaching Geometry in Kindergarten

Discover why it is so important to teach kindergarten and preschool children geometry and find out all about the Australian Curriculum Geometry strand so you can be confident teaching this complex maths subject.

Explicit Teaching, InvestigationsJanelle McArdle25 August 2022maths, kindergarten, preschool, shapes, geometry, play based, play based learning, hands-on, hands-on learning, 2D shapes, 3D shapes, early childhood math, early years, math activities, math provocationsComment

A Guide to Play Schemas in Early Childhood Education

If you would like to create an engaging and effective learning environment and confidently plan learning experiences that perfectly match the cognitive development of each child in your class, this blog post on play schemas is for you. Understanding play schemas and being able to pinpoint the ones your students are developing is critical to the success of your early childhood classroom.

23 Loose Parts Ideas for Early Childhood Math

Looking for ideas on how to use loose parts to teach early childhood math concepts? This blog post has 23 engaging activities and ideas you can use in your classroom.

InvestigationsJanelle McArdle11 July 2022loose parts, loose parts play, math provocations, maths, early numeracy, learning invitation, play based learning, play based, early years math, loose parts ideas, early childhood, early childhood math Comment

How to Write a Statement of Intent for Your Play Based Learning Classroom

If you are familiar with the Walker Learning Approach, then you are no doubt also familiar with writing a Statement of Intent. This fortnightly planning document is vital to the success of your play-based learning program. Check out this blog post to see how we write ours.

Explicit Teaching, InvestigationsJanelle McArdle27 June 2022play based learning, planning, curriculum planning, investigations, investigative play, statement of intent, walker learning, kindergarten, play based classroom, developmental play, play based, Reggio teacher, teacher planningComment

How to Write a Play Based Learning Term Overview

If you think curriculum planning and mapping out your term is hard work and you find it a dreaded task that seems to take you forever, you are going to love this blog post on how to write a play-based learning term overview. I’ll show you my quick and easy process.

Explicit Teaching, InvestigationsJanelle McArdle13 June 2022play based learning, play based classroom, planning, play based, developmental play, kindergarten, teaching, teacher planning, term planning, term menu, term overview, walker learning Comment

Teaching the F-2 ACARA Math Learning Intentions Through Play

The best way to teach math is through play. This blog post explains the F-2 ACARA Math Curriculum and how you can create opportunities for your early childhood students to enjoy their math learning by using hands-on play based strategies and materials.

Reggio Emilia Provocations

Are you interested in how Reggio Emilia provocations could enhance the teaching and learning in your play-based classroom? Many play-based teachers are aware of the highly regarded early childhood programs from Reggio Emilia in Italy. Discover how you can design learning provocations influenced and inspired by those in Reggio classrooms.

Science Provocations – Living Things

Are you teaching the early years biology strand and looking for some engaging and educational science provocations to help your students learn about Living Things? In this blog post there are 5 engaging living things provocations to inspire you. There are also tips and ideas to help you set up your very own purposeful early childhood science learning provocations.

Teaching Science in a Play Based Classroom

Teaching science in a play based classroom is one of the easiest things you will ever do as a classroom teacher. In this blog post you will discover how play based learning and science education go hand-in-hand. I’ll share heaps of photos and ideas you can use in your classroom to teach science through play and learning provocations.

The Teacher’s Role in Loose Parts Play

What is the teacher’s role in loose parts play? In this blog post you will discover which loose parts are best for your children and find out how the teacher plays a vital role in the success of loose parts play in the classroom.

InvestigationsJanelle McArdle7 February 2022loose parts play, loose parts, play based learning, play based classroom, play based, playbased, inquiry, prep, preschool, kindergarten, early childhoodComment

Christmas Classroom Ideas

Are you looking for some classroom ideas to help you celebrate Christmas over these last few weeks of school? I have collated 9 of the best hands-on Christmas classroom ideas for your kindergarten or preschool classroom.

Investigations, Explicit TeachingJanelle McArdle20 December 2021christmas, kindergarten, prep, preschool, hands-on learning, play based, play based learning, play based classroom Comment

Christmas Maths Activities for Kindergarten

Discover 7 Christmas math activities for kindergarten and preschool. Keep your children engaged and learning in all the excitement of your end of year celebrations. These hands-on math activities will have your students engaged, focused and learning right up to the holidays.

Loose Parts Play

Find out what loose parts are and where the idea of loose parts play originated. Discover the benefits of loose parts play and get some easy and practical ideas for loose parts play in your classroom.

InvestigationsJanelle McArdle22 November 2021loose parts play, loose parts, hands-on, hands-on learning, play based, play based classroom, play based learning, investigative play, inquiry, inquiry skills, integrated curriculum, kindergarten, preschool, provocations for learningComment

Stages of Block Play

Discover the 7 stages of block play and the influences these stages can have to the design of your learning environment. BONUS FREE Block Play Stages pdf to download and print.

Piaget and Play Based Learning

Piaget’s theories of cognitive development have influenced our modern play pedagogies. See how Piaget and play based learning go hand-in-hand and how his theories reinforce the idea that children learn through play. Discover some practical play-based learning ideas for your classroom.

Investigations, Explicit TeachingJanelle McArdle11 October 2021play based, play based learning, play based classroom, piaget, early childhood, early years, hands-on learning Comments

Blog - Life in a Play Based Classroom

I’m Janelle and I’m here to help you implement an engaging, play based curriculum

that STILL has your children meeting academic standards and benchmarks!