Open-Ended Toys

Last but not least in this series are Open-Ended Toys. I find these are what most people think of when they think of, but of course open-ended *toys* don't have to be toys at all! Your own kitchen utensils, a tub of conkers, 

a roll of toilet paper - because the child and their imagination takes the lead, the play possibilities are endless.

Imagination and creativity are the goals we hope to see when offering open-ended play, but of course we know with early learners a bit of planning goes a long way. A well-curated, open-ended toy area should have the following themes or options, with opportunities to observe how others play:

Miniatures - families or farmers, dogs or dinosaurs, wherever the interest lies! To be housed with their vehicles and accessories in a traditional doll house, fire station, garage, shop, school...or a good old shoe box?! (Friends reference - are you a Phoebe or a Monica??)

Construction/assembly - wooden blocks, stickle bricks, Lego or trainsets, these toys lay the 'foundations' ( ) for spatial awareness, problem solving and mathematical reasoning

Food - a kitchen, shop front or their own drawer of real pots and pans and groceries, food play technically falls under the Practical Life category, but I feel it's important enough to have it's own space, especially as many early learners have difficulty eating a healthy diet or have a history of food being used as edible reinforcement

Nurturing/Caring - playing with, dressing, rocking or healing babies and teddies help a learner practice and explore relationship roles

Practical Life/Chores - as with Food, the learner may have their own special miniature set - I love my WORKING mini Dyson! I think this category is especially important to include for early learners; they may need longer than their peers to master the tricky motor plans to sweep a floor or wipe down a table

Dress Up - allows the learner to explore their own role and identity, to see how a shoe fits. This includes accessories too, like phones or money, and provides great practise for dressing skills in context, which can be challenging

To my fellow perfectionists out there - this is not the time to worry too much about crossover of your perfect boxes...Yes, that fireman's about to ride a lion and a racecar, not his perfectly good fire truck which has been cast to one side! Buuut...look at that smile