Play Summit Workshop
This past weekend I was lucky enough to reignite my passion for conducting a weekend workshop for all three of our centers teachers. Between getting my Masters in ECE @ CSUEB, getting married, having two children, and the pandemic, it has been almost four years since I have been able to create one for my team. It was the best feeling to finally get everyone together in one space and be able to enhance our program through digging deeper on the importance of play and how to intentionally set up invitations to ignite children's curiosity + wonder to create a love for learning through open ended play.
This year was even more special since Discount School Supply sponsored the majority of the materials that were used as a part of the training and then gifted to each classroom at all three of our centers. We are eternally grateful for having such an amazing partnership with a company that truly gives back to the early childhood education field.
The workshop consisted of exploring Symbols (Letters, Numbers, Shapes), STEM, Sensory + Loose Parts Play, Process Art, & Light/Shadow/Reflection. Each table was set up with invitations that could be applied to all the age ranges we provide care for in our centers (6weeks-5 years).
Below I will break down each invitation and link all the products:
Symbols (Letters, Numbers, Shapes)
Letters
-Wooden Letters Symbol Prompts
-Tray
-Prewriting Sand & Light Table Tray
Number
Shapes
Wiggles
STEM
Translucent STEM Exploration on the Light Table
-Light Table
Explore and Create Insects
-Tinker Trays (Thrifted)
-Pinecones (Foraged)
Build A Jungle
-Photo Blocks of Jungle Animals
Around the World People and Landmarks
-Photo Block Play People & Landmarks
-Landmark Figurines
-Landmark Images (Printed and Laminated)
Sensory + Loose Parts Play
Dino Small World Play
-Sand
-Rocks
Georgia O'keeffe Snail Loose Parts
-Place Mats
-Snail Shells
Insta Snow Sensory Bin
Spring Flower Measuring with Loose Parts
-Flat Marbles
-Speing Buttons
-Ribbon
-Place Mats
Process Art
Still Life Spring Flowers
-Construction Paper
-Vases (Thrifted)
-Paint Swatches (Paint Store)
Abstract Painting
-Construction Paper
Textured Recycled Box Painting
-Butcher Paper
-Aluminum Foil
-Bubble Wrap (Recycled Packaging)
-Boxes (Recycled)
Abstract 3-D Assemblage Art
-Butcher Paper
-Fluorescent Neon Tempera Paint
-Makedo Cutters
-Hot Glue Gun & Sticks
-3-D Structure (Recycled Cardboard)
Light/Shadow/Reflection
Texture Reflection Exploration
-Sensory Balls
-Large Slinkies
-LED lights
Stacking Mirror and Reflection Exploration
-Clear Cups
-Recycled Paper Tubes
-Marvelous Metallic Silver Boulder Bricks
Dino Light & Shadow Play
-Mini Flash Lights
-Colander
-Sifters
