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✨ Daily inspo to support learning through play!
💙 Expert block play tips & tricks
🌈 Ideas for play based art & homeschool
📚 Progressive educator, MSEd

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$Blocks of almost any kind bring so many opportunities for open ended learning through play… So what’s the big deal about unit blocks? What do they do better? There are 2 big reasons why unit blocks are ideal open ended play tools - First is mathematical design. Unit blocks are designed based on the “unit” (which is 5.5 inches × 2.75 in x 1.375 in). All other blocks in a unit block set are multiples and fractions of the standard unit. This means that you can build with them universally. If you run out of one shape you can make it with others. If you want to build tall structures, it’s easy to balance blocks on top of one another because they are a standard height. Mathematically designed blocks also lend themselves to deep intrinsic math & science learning through play! The second thing that makes unit blocks special is that they are made from solid hardwood and are left unpainted and uncoated. This makes them a neutral canvas for imaginative play and helps them be able to grip each other when stacked. This is something you’ll find is particularly different than many other popular types of blocks, and in my experience these details make a huge difference in how the blocks are used. Comment UNIT BLOCKS and I’ll send you a blog post I wrote all about why I recommend unit blocks as your family’s number 1 open ended play tool + links to my favorite sets! And make sure you follow along if you’re interested in more open ended, independent play education tips! #learningthroughplay #playbasedlearning #playbasedhomeschool #openendedtoys #openendedlearning #openendedplay #woodentoys #unitblocks #blockplay #blockplayeducation #blockplaytips by @everydaywitheandj$

It was finally sunny today and these blocks did not disappoint in a glorious beam of pure sunlight!

These acrylic unit blocks are coming soon to @guidecraft_official so make sure you’re following along with me & them so you get alll the updates!

#learningthroughplay #playbasedlearning #openendedplay #openendedlearning #openendedtoys #childledplay #playbasedhomeschool #unitblocks #blockplay by @everydaywitheandj

Organizing blocks isn’t just for aesthetics. Blocks organized on a shelf by shape and size (as opposed to being tossed into a big basket, bin, or box) literally change the way that children play with them.

By organizing blocks onto a shelf in a way that allows children to see each type and size available they are able to plan structures and execute their plans with ease.

Blocks in a basket or bin don’t facilitate the same kind of pre-planning or problem solving. Often a big jumbled pile of blocks results in one of two things - either a frustrated child who can’t find the pieces they need, or a child who builds randomly with whatever blocks are most easily accessible (or BOTH!)

This kind of block play isn’t hurting anyone, but blocks used this way just aren’t meeting their potential as a play tool.

To set up a block shelf follow these steps:
1- Sort your blocks by shape and size.
2- Organize the blocks on a shelf grouped by their shape and size. Make sure that each type of block is visible and accessible without having to move things out of the way. This may take some trial & error.
3- (optional) Label the shelves using photographs of each block shape
or with paper silhouettes which
you can make by tracing a face
of each block.

I can almost guarantee that if you own unit blocks but they are currently stored in a big box or basket and you just take them out & organize them onto a shelf, they will get more play and more meaningful play immediately.

Just like we prepare our shelves with work and/or toys to be easily accessible and visually appealing to our kids the same goes for unit blocks! Blocks need a shelf ♥️

#learningthroughplay #unitblocks #blockplay #constructiveplaythings #guidecrafttoys #preschoolathome #kindergarten #montessorihomeschool #progressiveeducation by @everydaywitheandj

these two are a pretty great duo ✨

Dogman + Cat Kid this year

& their first Halloween together in 2020 when E insisted on being a literal pillowcase ghost and we made J into a little pumpkin 🎃👻

Homemade costumes are my favorite thing about this holiday - I will help make costumes as long as they’ll let me ♥️♥️♥️ by @everydaywitheandj

Can’t make it here for the weekend? It’s okay, I’ll show you ours ♥️🍁✨

Hi! I’m Sami - I’m a teacher who homeschools my kids in a cute valley town in southern Vermont and it does often feel like a hallmark movie.

I mostly share about play and crafts but I also make sure to share bits of life so you can see what we’re up to here in the green mountain state 💚 by @everydaywitheandj

This was really fun to figure out how to make with just cardboard scraps, masking tape, contact paper, and a little hot glue 🍁

We brought it to the park so our friends could help us fill it with leaves and ot was lovely!

Definitely save this and add it to your fall crafty to-dos!

#learningthroughplay #playbasedlearning #processartforkids #openendedplay #communityart by @everydaywitheandj

I sneak peeked this light tablet months ago when I was in office at Guidecraft kind of by accident when I was showing off acrylic blocks and I got a bunch of questions asking when it would be available… and now, here it is!

This light tablet is so cool! Kids can use the 3 sliders to mix and change the color of the light. It’s such an awesome tool for studying color & light and also perfect for sensory play! I was so excited to grab one for our house when they came in stock this month!

You can check this tablet out right now on the @guidecraft_official website - if you comment LIGHT, I’ll send you the link directly and my discount code will automatically apply!

I think it would make such an awesome holiday gift! Let me know if you have any questions!

#learningthroughplay #playbasedlearning #openendedtoys #childledplay #lightplay by @everydaywitheandj

Spooky cute mud kitchen play and all we did was add a plastic cauldron! 👻🎃

Ours is just one my husband found at shop rite but I’ve linked an alternative you might be able to grab in time + I’ll link our totally sweet mud kitchen from @guidecraft_official and that link auto applies a coupon code for you!

Also seen here are some spooky pearls from @the_stemsory_experience 🕸️

Comment SPOOKY for the links and I hope you’re having a fun Halloween week!

#openendedtoys #learningthroughplay #playbasedlearning #childledplay #mudkitchenideas by @everydaywitheandj

My kids have been carving their own pumpkins for years using @makedo safe saws!

I personally don’t really enjoy carving pumpkins, so when a then 6 year old E asked if he could do it himself using his cardboard tools I figured it was worth a shot… flash forward to now, independent pumpkin carving has become a tradition and it’s my best Halloween decision ever.

Comment CARVE and I’ll send you my link + discount code so you can grab some!

P.S. - it might be too late to do this for this Halloween, but make sure you save this! Once you have these tools your kids will find so many uses for them!! Highly recommend!

#childled #learningthroughcrafts #openendedtoys #learningthroughplay #childcentered by @everydaywitheandj

Sew an acorn pouch 🐿️🍁

It’s our favorite season for collecting nature treasures! So here’s a sweet little sewing project you can make to give those treasures a home this fall!

Head over to my blog at everydaywitheandj.com for the step by step photo guide and acorn pouch printable pattern or just comment ACORN and I’ll send a link right over!

I originally posted this idea a couple of years ago, but I just remade this reel to slow everything down so it’s much easier to see & follow the steps! Let me know what you think!

& let me know if you have any questions! Happy sewing!

#sewingwithkids #sewingtutorial #fallplay #learningthroughcrafts #openendedtoys by @everydaywitheandj

Watercolor window decor is a family favorite around here and these leaves have become an autumn tradition 🍁🌈🍂

These are made of diffusing paper, I bought them precut but you could get a similar effect by cutting out leaf shapes from coffee filters. We paint them with my favorite @crayola education watercolors and the colors are super vibrant!

This project is really process focused. No rules just experimentation with color and water and lots of play. But they always come out gorgeous and that’s fun too - they’re like suncatchers! ☀️

This beautiful outdoor craft table is from @guidecraft_official

Comment LEAVES and I’ll link all of the supplies + the table!

(FALL CRAFT will also work - just in case you saw this before I aligned the caption with the carousel - oops😅)

#processartforkids #artisplay #learningthroughcrafts #learningthroughplay#playbasedlearning by @everydaywitheandj

If my kids always look at their ability to be creative thinkers as a magic power I’ll know I’m doing something right 🌈☀️

These sun-catchers have become a favorite craft - we made a bunch for nana & poppy’s house and then we made a whole other set for ours because playing with light and filing our world with rainbows makes all of us so happy and creating that beauty ourselves helps my kids know that they are magic too🥰

Comment SHINE and I’ll send you links to the glass beads and sun-catcher crystals we used to make these ✨

#playbasedlearning #learningthroughplay #childledplay #learningthroughcrafts #artandplay by @everydaywitheandj

Sami Krasny • homeschool mom & block play expert

@everydaywitheandj