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Heidi 02:02 PM 01-27-2015
Originally Posted by CoachingForQualityImprovement:
The environment:

VERY organized, clean and safe
Ample natural lighting - if not possible, plenty of other lighting
Mirrors
Baskets
Clear containers
Soft, cozy areas
Areas for getting away from it all - even a sheer curtain over a table with a pillow and basket of books underneath will do
Originally Posted by CoachingForQualityImprovement:
Also, keep in mind the importance of sensory based experiences and art:

Water play - add measuring cups, strainers, sifters, turkey basters, etc
Make mud
Leaves and nature based items
Goop made from cornstarch and water
Sensory bottles: use empty water bottles, add water and glitter or beads, etc. glue cap on.
Herbs and spices on a cutting board with large stones for grinding (can later be used in art activities)
Old wind chimes
Cut crepe paper in to long strips and provide while playing music

ART:

CLAY, not playdough. This can be purchased at local college bookstores for around $11 for a 25 pound bag
Paint - lots of paint You can make fingerpaint out of cornstarch, boiling water and either food coloring or left over tempura paint mixed in
Glue - add food coloring for use as paint or offer collage supplies and heavy cardboard
Ample drawing materials - pencils, pens, markers, oil pastels, crayons and lots of paper
Originally Posted by CoachingForQualityImprovement:
I think you can easily incorporate Reggio theories with infants and toddlers. You really need to spend very little to do so, many items are free if you are willing to do some leg work:

Nature:
pine cones
rocks in various sizes
tree cookies (find some decent size branches and have sliced into thin and/or thick slices)
leaves (this could be sensory play or they can be laminated and hung for viewing or used for rubbings, etc)
pine tree branches
thick branches
tree bark chunks
driftwood

Paper

Gift wrap (think different designs, not characters, etc)
wax paper
mylar paper
foil
parchment

Fabric

old curtains
burlap
old clothing cut up (denim, corduroy, silk/satin, socks with feet cut off, etc.)
call a local seamstress or fabric shop and ask for remnants

Home Depot , carpentry or building supply stores

Carpet samples
wallpaper sample books
paint card samples
wood scraps
ceramic tile samples
pvc pipe scraps

Butcher

Cardboard tubes from butcher paper rolls

Local newspaper

end rolls of newsprint

Winery or local bar

corks
boxes from wine bottles

other stuff from Around the house

caps from old markers
milk bottle caps
clothespins
plastic cups for stacking
drink coasters

The possibilities are endless. I suggest sitting down with pen and paper and brainstorming ideas for loose parts. Then start collecting!
All great ideas!

My friend runs a Montessori program for 3-6 year olds (mostly 3's and 4's). She has had to argue with her licenser about her workbench. It has real (small) hammers and nails. Because she could show not only the pedagogy behind it but also her formal training, they let her keep it.
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