Ordinary Materials to Promote Discovery & Learning

Anyone who knows me (or anyone who worked at JHCCC) KNOWS that we are BIG on recycling and collecting anything that can be used for discovery, art and creating in the classroom! Almost everything you might want to throw out can be used for playtime!! And it's FREE. What could be better than that!

A few years ago I was in a workshop regarding the use of non-tradtional materials, and how fun, cheep and wonderful they are in a child's environment. Try some and see how much your young child enjoys the activity and open ended play.

Infants and Toddlers learn best in the context of relationships with their parents and caretakers. Also through play and active exploration of their environment and the objects in it.

Items should be:

• Safe to handle (no sharp or splintered edges)
• Non-toxic
• Easy to sanitize
• Large enough not to present a choking hazard
• Used under adult supervision

MATERIALS

Tops to liquid laundry detergent, mouthwashes (washed,sterilized)

• for mouthing
• bang two together
• nest
• stack
• use to fill large empty containers
• Explore & Sort by size, shape, color, texture
• Dramatic play prop(cups)
• Sensory table activities, pour, fill, scoop (water or sand)

Fabric, Scarves, Blankets

• Mouth
• Dangle above for the child to bat, track and grasp
• Feel and snuggle; explore textures
• Play peek-a-boo
• Dramatic play prop (hat, scarf, baby blanket)
• Use to fill and empty tissue boxes

Muffin Tins or Egg cartons filled with objects

• Make sounds/music by banging with spoon                               
• Explore shapes and what fits into holes
• Explore one-to-one correspondence (1 object for each hole)
• Prop for pretend play

Baking Sheet

• Velcro to wall for a magnet board
• Use as a tray for messy play (sand, goop, paints)
• Make music/sounds by banging with spoons

Empty Containers such as parmesan cheese container, coffee cans, iced tea mix containers, yogurt cups, fruit cups (etc.)

• Dump and Fill (can fill with other small items)   
• Place lids on and off
• Cause and Effect (sake/make noise)
• Explore concepts of size, shape, color
• Dramatic Play Prop
• Water/ Sand sensory play (fill, pour, scoop)
• Roll around

Laundry Baskets

• Use to dump and fill
• Spacial relationships & Gross Motor (climbing in/out)      
• Balance Practice (pull up on, push, carry)
• Cause and Effect (pushing, pulling)
• Fine Motor (sticking small objects through holes)
• "Help" with chores by putting clothing in

Throw-able Items such as shower puffs, pot scrubbers, wiffle balls

• Mouth
• Bang together
• Dump and Fill into baskets, small swing top trash can, buckets      
• Throw or Roll
• Props for water or painting play
• Explore size,shape, color, textures
• Sort by size, shape, color, texture

ADDITIONAL IDEAS

Plastic or Velcro Rollers

Travel soap dishes/toothbrush holders

Small empty containers-tea tins, empty mint tins, 

Cardboard jewelry boxes, old gift bags

Rubber mats, coasters, soap dishes

Brushes-scrubber brushes, meat basting brushes, finger nail brushes

Funnels

Ice cube trays

Plastic shower rings

                                       

ENJOY! HAVE FUN! 

LET YOUR CHILD LEAD IN PLAY!