A wealth of practical and inspiring ideas for setting up themed treasure baskets for preschool children at all stages of development.

For the littlest learners, everything is an activity--feeling a rock, trying to lick a bubble, smelling a flower, or poking sand. In Treasure-Basket Explorations: Heuristic Learning for Infants and Toddlers, teachers and caregivers of infants and toddlers will learn how these simple explorations support cognitive and vocabulary development. Grounded in the theory of early education pioneer Elinor Goldschmied, the book explains heuristic learning--discovery by trial and error--and how to encourage this type of learning to boost development.Teachers will learn how to set up treasure baskets that encourage heuristic play: containers filled with easy-to-find items that support explorations in emergent language, math, and science skills. Encourage children to discover the sounds that a metal cup makes when banged on the floor. Invite them to feel the velvety texture of soft fabric or the bumpiness of a loofah sponge. Let them explore what a wooden ring and a cotton handkerchief can do together.Through his explorations, the child is answering some fundamental questions: What is this and what can I do with it? Later, he will add to his knowledge: What else can this do and what can this become? This is cognitive development in action!

The treasure basket and heuristic play approach is astoundingly simple; by offering natural and household objects to babies and toddlers you can make a profound impact on their learning capabilities, encouraging concentration, exploration and intellectual development. Based on a wealth of research into how babies learn, Developing Play for the Under 3s shows how using this approach can transform the learning abilities of babies and toddlers. Featuring never before published, original interviews with the pioneer of the treasure basket and heuristic play, Elinor Goldschmied, this second edition includes: Accessible explanations of what babies think and do Links to child development and learning progress A new chapter on supporting the learning of two and three year olds Links to the EYFS outcomes Research evidence supported by case studies Resource ideas and activities for use in the nursery or at home Anita M. Hughes uses her own personal experience of working with the under 3s to guide readers through the benefits of the treasure basket and heuristic play. With clear and practical guidelines, this book is indispensible for anyone involved in the care of children in this age group wishing to create rich learning experiences.

There's no need for flashy toys and talking dolls. Babies and toddlers learn by doing. They explore like little scientists, testing and trying everything they encounter. Nurture these natural tendencies by creating treasure baskets! Encourage them to discover the sounds that a metal cup makes when banged on the floor. Invite them to feel the velvety texture of soft fabric or the bumpiness of a loofah sponge. Let them explore what a wooden ring and a cotton handkerchief can do together. Heuristic learning is simply discovery, and it offers adults the opportunity to see children's thinking. For example, a baby grasps a metal cup and accidently knocks it against a table leg. The cup makes an interesting noise. The child stares at the cup for a moment then hits it on the floor. Another noise! The baby will continue, fascinated, exploring all the great noises the metal cup can make. Through his explorations, the child is answering some fundamental questions: What is this and what can I do with it? Later, he will add to his knowledge: What else can this do and what can this become? This is cognitive development in action!

People Under Three is an established text for all those training to work with young children or managing day care facilities."--Jacket.

How to encourage investigative, discovery play with babies and children aged 0-5. Heuristic Play is a form of exploratory, investigative play that builds a whole range of skills for all children from birth to five. This guide looks at four age groups from birth to five and provides practical activities for setting up heuristic play sessions. Each session comes with expert advice on: - How to set up the session for each age group - The level of adult involvement - How to plan for these activities within the EYFS - How heuristic play relates to schemas of behaviour This easy to read and practical guide is the only one of its kind and an absolute essential for anyone working in the early years.

A parent's guide to building independence, creativity, and confidence in their children using Montessori learning techniques, written by Montessori president Tim Seldin. An international bestseller, How to Raise an Amazing Child the Montessori Way adapts Montessori teachings for easy use at home. Packed with Montessori-based preschool activities and educational games that build confidence and independence through active learning, this authoritative illustrated guide helps raise self-reliant and creative children. Celebrate physical and intellectual milestones from birth to age six with activity checklists, and encourage development through proven child-centered teaching methods. This edition has been updated to include information about the neuroscience of child development and shares advice about screen time in the digital age, co-parenting, other family changes, and gentle discipline methods. How to Raise an Amazing Child the Montessori Way shows parents how to bring the teachings of Montessori into their home to create a safe, nurturing environment for their children with clear and concise instructions.

Heuristic Play is a tightly described, but freely accessed activity, using a specific range of 'found' or everyday objects, and, in its pure sense, is only really applicable to a specific age range (from 12 months to about two and a half). However, there is now plenty of evidence that heuristic play has continuing value for children throughout the Foundation Stage and well into the primary years. Collections of objects, carefully selected and offered in both adult-led and child-initiated sessions, indoors and outside, can build on the experience of treasure baskets In this informative and helpful book you will find further information on the process of using both treasure baskets and heuristic play with babies and young children. You will also find chapters which explore the benefits of heuristic play with objects for children throughout the early years from six months to seven years. Of course, the materials, the provision and the adult role will develop and change as children mature, so this book also gives guidance on how heuristic play itself should change to meet the needs of children at different stages of development.

Creative ways to use the garden to inspire learning, for kids ages 4-8 Packed with garden-based activities that promote science, math, reading, writing, imaginative play, and arts and crafts, The Garden Classroom offers a whole year of outdoor play and learning ideas—however big or small your garden. Every garden offers children a rich, sensory playground, full of interesting things to discover and learn about. There's a whole lot of science happening right before their eyes. The garden can also be a place to develop math and literacy skills, as the outdoors offers up plenty of invitations to weave learning into everyday gardening. The garden classroom is a place where plants grow, and where children grow too.

During the course of a walk, a young boy identifies animals of different colors.