An ambitious build taking shape in the garden 🧱✨
Using large wooden blocks with coloured windows allows children to think big- testing balance, strength and stability while collaborating, problem-solving, and bringing their ideas to life.

#eyfs #earlyyears #looseparts #outdoorplay #reggioinspired #reggioemilia

Loose parts + little hands = big imagination! 🌿
Encourage your child to explore creativity with transient art- using natural materials like leaves, sticks, stones, and petals to make their own beautiful, temporary masterpieces.
No glue, no rules — just wonder.

#transientart #looseparts #naturalart #outdoorplay #outdoorclassroom

The way new discoveries keep popping up in the #737 #Max9 disaster at this point, the best solution might be for #Boeing to take each one completely apart and put it together again, but properly this time.

#737Max9 #FAA #NTSB #LooseParts #eh #GoodEnough #CloseEnough #close

*Publication Alert*

Our new publication out today on the "impact of an outdoor loose parts play intervention on Nova Scotian preschoolers’ physical literacy"!

https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-023-16030-x

#LooseParts
#PLEYproject
#LetTheChildrenPlay
#ChildHealth
#Wellbeing
#DalhousieU
#DalHPI
#AcademicMastodon
#HealthPromotion
#NovaScotia

Impact of an outdoor loose parts play intervention on Nova Scotian preschoolers’ physical literacy: a mixed-methods randomized controlled trial - BMC Public Health

Background Physical activity participation among preschoolers in childcare settings are low, and interventions to increase physical activity levels have produced mixed results. The Physical Literacy in the Early Years (PLEY) project implemented a six-month childcare-based outdoor loose parts play intervention in childcare centres in Nova Scotia, Canada. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of the PLEY project on the development of domains of physical literacy (physical activity, physical competence, confidence and motivation, knowledge and understanding) in preschoolers attending childcare centres using mixed-methods. Methods Preschoolers (3–5 years) were recruited from 19 childcare centres in Nova Scotia and centres were randomized (parallel design) to the outdoor loose parts play intervention group (n = 11) or control (n = 8) group for 6 months. Participants, early childhood educators, and assessors were not blinded to group assignment. Quantitative and qualitative measures were used to comprehensively assess the impact of the PLEY project on all domains of physical literacy. At 3- and 6-months, early childhood educators participated in focus groups to assess how the intervention supported the development of 4 physical literacy domains: physical activity, physical competence, confidence and motivation, and knowledge and understanding. Physical activity and physical competence were also assessed with accelerometry and the Test of Gross Motor Development-3, respectively. Results Two hundred and nine preschoolers participated in the study (intervention group: n = 115; control group: n = 94). Accelerometer data showed that while baseline physical activity was similar between groups, children in the intervention group had higher physical activity at 3- (F(1,187) = 8.30, p = 0.004) and 6-months (F(1,187) = 9.90, p = 0.002) post-intervention. There was no intervention effect on physical competence scores. Thematic analysis of focus group data revealed that outdoor loose parts play contributed to development in all 4 physical literacy domains, including increased movement repertoires, social development, and enjoyment of physical activity. No adverse events or side effects of the intervention were reported. Conclusions Participation in the PLEY project was associated with increased development of various domains of physical literacy and perceived physical literacy among preschoolers, and outdoor loose parts play may be encouraged as an effective strategy to increase physical literacy in early learning settings. Trial registration Biomed Central (ISRCTN14058106), 20/10/2017.

BioMed Central
@AndyBurtEEX I absolutely agree , ours needs a serious revamp but where to get realistic and long lasting resources . The switch to all wooden is not necessarily a helpful thing #RolePlay #House #imagination #LooseParts #Play