Nina Marni beautiful little learners and their wonderful families. welcome to our weekly blog.
Let’s build and Construct
| Learning Intention 1 To challenge children’s construction skills by providing loose parts and STEM experiences. Why? STEM education in early childhood allows children to begin to learn and retain a knowledge base that they can build on as they get older.Loose Parts play encourages children to make, create, problem solve and hypothesize. Loose parts have no instructions and no predetermined rules. The concept of ‘loose parts’ supports children to become critical thinkers as they use these open- ended materials to plan their work and create whatever they want to without an adult telling them what should be done. It helps children to be imaginative.Loose parts give children the freedom to arrange and rearrange, essentially using the parts to create their own rules and designs, which allows the focus of the experience to be on the process rather than the product. Fine motor skills are developed and strengthened when children grasp and pick up small objects. |
Encouraging creativity and critical thinking in young learners starts with open-ended opportunities to build and explore. By offering loose parts—such as blocks, natural materials, and recycled items—alongside hands-on STEM experiences, educators can challenge children’s construction skills in meaningful ways.
These materials invite curiosity, problem-solving, and collaboration, allowing children to test ideas, engineer solutions, and develop spatial awareness. When paired with real-world STEM challenges, such as building bridges or designing ramps, loose parts become powerful tools for discovery and learning.
This week, our little learners explored the world of construction through the creative and tactile experience of play dough. Using their hands and imaginations, the children rolled, shaped, and moulded dough to create imaginative structures. This activity supported early fine motor development while introducing basic building concepts such as balance, shape, and structure. As the children worked together, they also practiced problem-solving and communication—important skills in both play and real-life construction. Through play dough building, our little learners gained a deeper understanding of how things are made, while expressing their creativity in a fun, open-ended way.
Constructing, Building, and Fixing: with the Wooden Tool Box
This week, our learners engaged in meaningful, hands-on open ended play using the wooden tool box. Equipped with child-friendly tools like hammers, screwdrivers, and wrenches, the children explored the roles of builders and fixers through imaginative construction play. As they built simple structures, tightened screws, and “fixed” loose parts, the activity encouraged the development of fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and early problem-solving. It also supported language development as children named tools and described their actions. Through this purposeful play, our little learners gained confidence, practiced teamwork, and discovered how things work—all while having fun in a safe, supportive environment.
Constructing a Recycled House with little learners
This week, the children embraced creativity and sustainability by constructing a beautiful house using recycled materials. With glue, sticky tape, and pieces of paper, they worked together to build, create, and design their very own recycled house. This hands-on activity encouraged imagination, fine motor skills, and an early awareness of recycling and environmental care. As they collaborated, the children practiced problem-solving and design thinking in a fun and engaging way. Through building with recycled materials, our little learners not only expressed their creativity but also learned the value of reusing and repurposing everyday items.
Exploring Our Community: Visits around the Shared School Spaces
This week, the children enjoyed guided walks around the school’s shared spaces, including the playground and the MUDLA . These community visits gave the children opportunities to explore, observe, and connect with the environment around them. As they moved through familiar spaces in new ways, the children developed spatial awareness, practiced respectful behaviour in shared areas, and engaged in rich conversations about what they saw and experienced. These walks support a sense of belonging and community, helping children understand that shared spaces are for everyone to enjoy, care for, and learn from.
Specks of Gold: Highlights from Our Week
This week was filled with joyful moments and rich learning experiences—our “specks of gold” that made each day special. Children engaged in floor games, encouraging movement, cooperation, and laughter. Reading time brought calm and curiosity, as stories sparked imagination and conversation. We saw wonderful connections forming as the children continued building friendships, sharing ideas, and working together in play. A highlight was constructing with recycled materials, where creativity and problem-solving came to life. Sensory play provided hands-on exploration, and a fun activity using very tall cylinders helped the children observe and compare their height—a playful way to explore measurement and body awareness. It’s been a week of discovery, connection, and growth—full of golden moments worth celebrating.
Ngaityalya
Hope you all have a realxing weekend.