Louise Kool News

More Resources and Inspiration from Introducing Indigenous Philosophies to Little People Web Workshop 0

In this 60 minute Louise Kool Web Workshop, she shared the experiences, books, and resources she has used to bring the Seven Teachings to children at the University of Winnipeg Child Care Centre.

We found numerous online materials that can guide research, inform how to connect with First Nations communities and inspire further reflection.

Oct 21, 2021
Bogdan Pospielovsky
Tags: child care early years education First nations Indigenous resources

Outdoor Classroom Planning Guide 0

Over 50 pages of great ideas, real world examples,strategies, inspirations and tips for realizing an Outdoor Classroom. Broken out by different learning areas, this guide will help you create a new quality outdoor learning area or ready your existing space for STEM, literacy, creative arts, construction as well energetic play.

Apr 15, 2021
Bogdan Pospielovsky
Tags: art block play blocks child care community playthings early years education furniture health math Outdoor Learning play and learn pre-primary puzzles and games Reopening resources room planning school age toddler toys

3 Quick Transformations of Tarmac into an Outdoor classroom 0

The health, educational and developmental benefits of open-air learning have been prompting early years classrooms to move outdoors for a number of years. And now the need for outdoor learning spaces is pressing more than ever as a preventative health measure in the midst of a pandemic. But many schools are challenged by a lack of naturalized spaces and instead are surrounded by an abundance of paved playground and parking space.

We look at three quick and flexible ways to gain softened outdoor classroom space without resorting to jackhammers or bulldozers.

Oct 15, 2020
Angela Mpala
Tags: child care early years education math Outdoor Learning play and learn pre-primary resources school age STEM toddler

SWIR: Strategies for Keeping Instructional Tools and Toys Safe 0

With new stringent sanitation standards in schools and child care centres, is the only safe option, plastic toys? Do we have to walk back the naturalization (wood pebbles, feathers, fabrics etc) of our classrooms?

In this third in a series of blog posts on how child care centres and classrooms are re-opening while keeping both children and staff safe in a COVID world, we've organized some hygiene strategies for instructional materials and toys: Sanitizing/Washing, Individualizing and Rotating (SWIR).

Jul 15, 2020
Bogdan Pospielovsky
Tags: block play blocks child care dolls early years education furniture health hygiene Reopening resources sanitation toys

What to keep/cull -- evaluating your play materials 0

Versatile open-ended materials are extremely valuable learning tools. But specific play materials which may have as little as one obvious use, in conjunction with open-ended materials can be an inspiring combination. An effective play to learn environment should have a mix of open-ended and specific play materials. Here's a model to help evaluate the balance of play areas and materials in your class.