i use a play based curriculum, with many aspects of reggio emilia, montessori, and waldorf philosophies.
i give them LARGE blocks of time to explore and learn, on their own terms.
for example, the other day, we made a new batch of playdough.
we started out as a group, pouring, measuring, and cooking. (science)
we added "smellies" (sensory)
we pounded and poked and played with the playdough, even on the floor stomping it with our feet (small and large motor, and sensory)
by this time, most of the kiddos moved on to something else, but one dcg decided to continue...
she added alphabet molds and mats (literacy)
she divided and counted when someone came back and wanted to use some (math)
she shared and made room when they all came back (social skills)
she added "loose parts" i.e.- gems and foam pieces, pipe cleaners, straws, feathers, etc. and made a beautiful masterpiece (art)
she cleaned it all up and swept the floor (self help skills)
2 whole hours later, most would think
"that's all you did was play with playdough all morning?"
but we did
so much more then just play
