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Outdoor block play offers a wealth of developmental advantages for children. It significantly enhances physical development by improving gross motor skills as children lift, transport, push, and place blocks. It also builds spatial awareness, allowing them to interact with the landscape and understand space and safety while constructing taller structures. From a social-emotional perspective, outdoor block play promotes collaboration and communication as children work together, share ideas, and plan their creations. They also learn negotiation and conflict resolution when sharing equipment and navigating disagreements. Successfully completing large structures boosts self-esteem and confidence, while challenges like collapsing structures foster resilience and emotional regulation. Cognitively, it boosts creativity and imagination by allowing children to incorporate natural elements into their builds. They engage in problem-solving and critical thinking while figuring out how to create stable structures, considering factors like balance and stability. This type of play also naturally introduces STEM concepts like shapes, size, gravity, and stability, laying a strong foundation for future learning.   Outdoor block play encourages language development through vocabulary expansion as children narrate their play and describe their creations, and it enhances storytelling and narrative skills as blocks become props in imaginative scenarios. Beyond these points, children connect with nature, appreciate the environment, and explore different textures and materials. The exposure to natural elements and various surfaces like sand, mud, and water also provides rich sensory experiences that aid in sensory development. To set up our dinosaur block play space, we used our Discount School Supply Earth Natural Scene Set 20P , Tender Leaf® Dinosaur Blocks , Wooden Stacking Pebbles Natural - 20 Pack ,   TickiT® Jurassic Discovery Dividers , See Through Blocks . Overall, outdoor block play provides a rich and dynamic learning experience, fostering a wide array of skills and contributing to children's holistic development.

Where there are dinosaurs there are volcanoes. The two are linked together in significant ways. Volcanoes are linked to dinosaurs through both extinction events & periods of flourishing. Volcanic activity, particularly large-scale eruptions, can drastically alter the Earth's climate, leading to mass extinctions that wipe out competitors & create opportunities for new species to thrive, including the early dinosaurs. Conversely, volcanic activity can also create conditions that favor the diversification & dominance of certain dinosaur lineage.  Since the children are always curious about the why, how, when dinosaurs became extinct, after discussing these factors with the  children w e invited the children to create this prehistoric time. On our Discount School Supply tuff tray we placed Dawn dish soap, Arm & Hammer baking soda in certain areas, volcanoes (Open Play Toy Earth Tone Cones ), rocks, rustic bowls , and dinosaurs, as the landscape. In beakers we placed lava colored (Colorations Liquid Water Colors in Red , Yellow , Orange ) Heinz vinegar, & pipettes. The children were able to create real life scenarios through small world play & even explore real science through creating chemical reactions! The chemical reaction between the vinegar, which is an acid, and baking soda, which is a base, creates carbon dioxide. The reaction the children created through experimenting made for some super cool lava. As more lava filled the tuff tray there was lots of excitement over the baking soda and vinegar reactions, amazing discussions/observations, and such amazing play!

The  book The World of Coral Reefs: Explore & Protect the Natural Wonders of the Sea by Erin Spencer  (Author), Alexandria Neonakis  (Illustrator) provides fascinating, scientific information in a highly accessible format, including details about the types of coral, their anatomy and life cycle, where they live, how reefs develop, & the incredible diversity of marine animals that live among them, including aquarium favorites like clownfish, royal blue tangs, & sea turtles.  After reading the story in our Discount School Supply Tuff Trays we placed sea shells, aquarium seaweed + coral, & seal life figurines. We also placed colanders,  @openplaytoys cones , & Colorations pipe cleaners galore . We invited the children to create their own coral reefs by twisting, turning, shaping, and placing pipe cleaners into the colanders & cones.  We like to call these "finger gyms." They are excellent resources for developing and enhancing fine motor skills in children. This activity provides an ideal challenge for a child to grasp objects using either their whole hand or their thumb and index finger. Guiding pipe cleaners through the holes of a colander or cones encourages precise hand movements and demands a higher level of hand-eye coordination compared to simpler play skills like stacking blocks or placing pegs in a board. It effectively teaches a child how to guide and use their hands and fingers to grasp the pipe cleaners efficiently. This activity also offers a natural progression of challenges as children develop a variety of skill sets. Furthermore, finger gyms help children learn patience and strategies for successfully maneuvering and shaping the pipe cleaners. While this activity may appear simple, it requires significant planning, problem-solving, and consistent thought from the child to achieve success. Here is another way to explore coral reefs.

The book Dinosaur Lady: The Daring Discoveries of Mary Anning, the First Paleontologist by Linda Skeers is a beautifully illustrated picture book biography of Mary Anning that enlightens children about the discovery of the dinosaurs and the importance of female scientists. Mary Anning loved scouring the beach near her home in England for shells and fossils. She fearlessly climbed over crumbling cliffs and rocky peaks, searching for new specimens. One day, something caught Mary's eye. Bones. Dinosaur Bones. Mary's discoveries rocked the world of science and helped create a brand-new field of study: paleontology. But many people believed women couldn't be scientists, so Mary wasn't given the credit she deserved. Nevertheless, Mary kept looking and learning more, making discoveries that reshaped scientific beliefs about the natural world. After reading the stories we invited the children to become paleontologists just like Mary Anning in three different ways.  1. Invitation to Explore a Dig Site: We placed dinosaur bones in gelatin, sprinkled baking soda as dust, & placed excavating tools such as chisels, hammers, brushes, tweezers, & magnifying glasses. To add an extra element of science we placed vinegar + pipettes to create  " controlled blasting  techniques" that they may use when removing large rocks.   2.  Sensory Fossil Site: In our tuff tray provided rocks, sensory sand, dinosaur bones + skeletons, fossils, magnifying glasses, brushes, magnifying glasses, shovels & sifters.  3.  Dinosaur X-Ray Light Table Exploration:  To set this invitation we set up our Guidecraft Light Table, Dinosaur X-Ray images, Dinosaur figurines, bones, magnifying glass, & golf tees.   Through all of these invitations the children were able to get curious, observe, discover, explore various dinosaur anatomy through these interactive explorations.

Here are 3 ways to set up a STEM block play invitation for children to create, explore, & play with Coastal Creatures. Each invitation has a different base but they all have the same Discount School Supply STEM materials :  Ice Natural Scene Set , Tender Leaf® Coastal Creatures, &   Wooden Stacking Pastel Pebbles . Here is how to set up each invitation.  1. Mirror Base: This invitation has the base with the TTS  Mirrored Magnetic Sensory Circle . 2. Fabric Base: This invitations has a base with different blue fabrics.  3. Sensory Base: The base for this is  Excellerations® Spectacular Sensory Sand™ 4 lbs. in blue  & we placed it in our Cosy Tuff Tray. STEM block play like this offers numerous benefits for children, fostering cognitive, social emotional, & physical development.  Specifically, it enhances problem-solving, spatial reasoning, creativity, fine motor skills, and collaboration. It also lays a foundation for future STEM learning by introducing concepts like geometry, measurement, and engineering principles.

When scientists studied the oceans long ago, they divided them into five major layers (Trench, Abyss, Midnight, Twilight, and Sunlight) Since each layer, or zone, has unique characteristics, as well as unique  characters  who live there. We took a deep dive into learning about the wildlife in deeper zones that are darker and more mysterious.  To set this invitation we placed aquarium rocks + seaweed , deep sea creatures hatchet fish, angler fish, viperfish, glass squid, giant isopod, gulper eel, and black dragonfish, squid)glow in the dark rocks + sea anemones, rocks, coral, & water mixed with Colorations Fluorescent Turquoise paint. We also watched videos from divers exploring the deep sea as well as looking at the layers of the oceans + the wild life that lives there in the two books Layer by Layer Under the Sea by   Anne Rooney   (Author),  Suzanne Carpenter   (Illustrator) & The Deep! Wild Life @ The Ocean's Darkest Depths by Lindsey Leigh.  Bringing the deeper ocean zones to life through this Small world sensory play offers numerous benefits for children. Through exploring & role playing this set up enhances cognitive skills (understanding the world, problem solving, creativity & imagination), language (vocabulary expansion, narrative skills, communication),  emotional (emotional regulation, building empathy) ,& social development (social skills, conflict resolution, cooperative play),  motor skills( fine & gross)  all through engaging environment for them to explore. All this active hands-on learning helps children at their level retain new and more complex information, continue to build skills, and continue to make them curious to learn about the wondrous world we live in.   Here is another way to explore the zones of the ocean.

In the wordless book Wave by acclaimed artist Suzy Lee, a little girl's day at the beach is depicted in the stunning illustrations that create a vibrant movement of the ocean water crashing into waves on the beach. Wordless books, while seemingly counterintuitive, are incredibly beneficial for developing literacy skills. A great picture book is indeed priceless, as it empowers visual thinkers by building their confidence & reducing pressure, allowing them to focus on context clues. These books encourage children to actively engage their imagination, using the illustrations to guide their own unique storylines. This process is excellent for developing comprehension skills, as well as understanding story structure & sequencing. Wordless books foster an open dialogue between adults & children. Whether you prompt questions or the child does, it naturally leads to exploring cause and effect, which can also aid in the acquisition of new vocabulary. To extend the literacy experience after reading the story, we invited the children to create their own waves through mixed media art. First we provided puffy paint that is made out of shaving cream, glue, & paint (Colorations Bio Color, Tempera, Liquid Watercolors) Then the children were invited to paint waves, after that we invited them to add different textures: sand, paper (tissue, cellophane, metallic, construction), pipe cleaners, & pom poms. Here are some insights on how powerful mixed media art can be for mental and emotional development in young children. Studies have shown that creative activities like this significantly reduce stress, improve focus, & boost self-esteem. Here are some of the key benefits: Encourages emotional expression: Through layering different textures, colors, & materials, children can visually represent their inner world, helping them to process complex emotions in a healthy way. Builds confidence & resilience:Mixed media art teaches kids that there's no single "right" way to create. When a project doesn't go as planned, they learn to adapt, problem-solve, & try again—an essential skill for both school & life. Reduces stress & anxiety: Art has been proven to lower cortisol levels & promote relaxation. The tactile experience of gluing, & painting engages the senses, helping kids focus on the present moment. Fosters problem-solving & critical thinking: Mixed media art encourages kids to think outside the box. When given a variety of materials, they learn how to combine them in innovative ways, enhancing their problem-solving & critical-thinking skills. This creative flexibility translates into other areas of life, such as academics & social interactions. Improves focus & fine motor skills: Layering textures & working with different materials refines fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Focusing on a creative project also teaches patience & perseverance—skills that are valuable in school & everyday tasks. Provides a safe, supportive space for growth:Mixed media techniques create an inclusive atmosphere where children can express themselves freely. This sense of community fosters emotional support, helping children feel connected & valued. Offers hands-on learning that keeps kids engaged: Mixed media art requires kids to use their hands, engage their senses,  & stay present in the moment. Here  is another way to extend the literacy experience through the arts about this book. Here is another way to extend the literacy experience about the same book.

One of the best childhood treasures are sea shells & the book If You Spot a shell by Aimee Sicuro is the perfect story that showcases that these little magnificent unique things can be turned into anything with a little creativity & imagination. The book inspired us to create this sensory filled invitation to explore & play with the wonders of sea shells. In our Discount School Supply tuff tray we placed seashells in different sizes & shapes, our new Earth Tones Cones from @openplaytoys, & Steve Spangler Science Waterbeads. Please note that when placing water beads in any sensory bins, vigilant supervision is necessary. The children were invited to explore all the materials through hands-on exploration. Children who have a diversity of sensory experiences learn to use & enhance their senses in new ways. The benefits of sensory play in early life are numerous. Sensory stimulation & play-based learning will help all children, regardless of age, developmental stage, or learning style. It helps create nerve connections inside the growing brain’s neural pathways, triggering a child’s inclination & aptitude to compete for more difficult learning tasks. It also enhances linguistic development, cognitive growth, physical capabilities, problem-solving abilities,  social interaction, & enhances memory function.

We recently created an engaging art invitation inspired by the beautiful book "Julián Is a Mermaid" by @jesslovedraws. This story wonderfully introduces children to themes of individual expression, imagination, identity, love, diverse family structures, and a sense of wonder. The book's stunning imagery compelled us to bring it to life through an interactive textured mural where children could  paint scenes and elements from the story. To create this invitation, we utilized recycled materials such as packaging, poster paper, Texas snowflake filters, iridescent tablecloth, and cupcake liners. We then provided spray bottles filled with Colorations Liquid Watercolors and condiment bottles containing a mixture of Metallic BioColor paint and water, inviting the children to spray and squirt the paint to recreate the vibrant colors of the book. Integrating stories with art like this extends the learning experience, strengthens literacy skills, and fosters creative thinking. Books that connect with the art explorations are motivating, inspiring, and naturally appealing to children. Stories have the power to convey significant meaning and new information, helping children learn about a topic, interact with it, relate it to their own experiences, encounter new concepts, and guide their curiosity. By offering art invitations that build upon literacy experiences, we provide valuable opportunities for creativity, problem-solving skills, exposure to new language, fine motor skills, and endless discovery. Here are other ways to extend the literacy experience through invitations: Julián Playdough Loose Parts Play & Story Sequencing , Invitation to Create Julián Is a Mermaid , & Invitation to Create Julián at the Wedding

We recently read the story When Grandma Gives You a Lemon Tree by Jamie L.B. Deenihan &  Lorraine Rocha , which  is about a grandma who gives her grandchild a lemon tree. The story celebrates the pleasures of patience, hard work, nature, community, and learning "when life gives you lemons, make lemonde."  After reading the story we just had to set out an invitation to make lemonade inspired by @friendsartlab.  For this invitation, we used three grid drink dispensers filled with water colored with yellow Colorations Liquid WaterColors and Shiney/Fluorescent Tempera paint, along with acrylic ice cubes, ladles, plastic cups, and lemons. The children were invited to mix, pour, and create their own "lemonade." Water play offers numerous developmental benefits for children, including sensory development through exploring textures, temperatures, and sounds. It also supports physical development by refining fine and gross motor skills through actions like pouring and scooping. Cognitively, water play introduces early math concepts and problem-solving. Socially and emotionally, it encourages interaction and can be a calming experience. Additionally, water play fosters language development, creativity, and imagination as children explore and describe their experiences.

To celebrate another amazing school year & kick off the beginning summer we had a fun filled magical day! We set out invitations to create, explore, ice cream + popsicles galore. 1. Invitation to Make Sprinkle Ice Cream// We provided gigantic sprinkles, ice cream cups, serving spoons, mixing bowls, plates, & bowls & invited them to make sprinkle ice cream. 2. Invitation to Create Shaved Ice// We provided Steve Spanglers Insta Snow as shaved ice, ice cream cups, scoopers, & spoons to create an icy treat. 3. Invitation to Scoop Ice Cream// We provided Open Play Toys rainbow cones, ping pong balls & pom poms as ice cream, scoopers, & invited them to scoop cream and create their own flavors. 5. Invitation to Paint Popsicles// On wooden popsicles we provided Colorations fluorescent paint + brushes and invited the children to paint the popsicles. Click here  for last year's invitations for more summertime fun inspiration.

Throughout the year the Pre-K class have been creating art for our annual Art Walk Auction. They have explored so many techniques, mediums, processes, textures, & more! This is such a magical & creative event we hold dearly to our program and where we are able to showcase the importance of art in early childhood and throughout their educational journey. The children created collaborative pieces in many forms that are inspired by many of the famous artists we explore, books we read, process art, & wonders of the world. This section show cased artists: Yayoi Kusama , Henri Matisse , & Robert Bradford . This section showcased artists: Georgia O'keffe & Claude Monet This section showcased artist: Wassily Kandinksy ( Bouquets & More ) The section showcased artist: Howardena Pindell & Process Art : Splatter Art . Each child from every age group in our centers made their own individual canvases along bundles filled with trinkets, vases, & more. All of the supplies we used were pretty much from @discountschoolsupply , recyclable materials, & thrifted items that were repurposed! The section showcased books: The Mixed Up Chameleon by Eric Carle , The New Year's Gold Fish , Snow Flake Bentley . Plus artists Do Ho Suh & Process Art Textured Tower + Tubes. This section showcased: Collaborative Recycled Earth + Holi Self Portraits . This was our Have You Ever seen A Flower Invitation to Pain on a 3-D Flower Garden Inspired by the book. The proceeds from purchasing the art will benefit the Pre-K Class Legacy Gift that will continue our long tradition of enhancing our centers by getting something that will continue to uphold play, curiosity, and wonder for future generations in our programs. Here are the links to the previous Art Auctions in 2024 , 2023 , 2021 .