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Nature Study: Bioluminescence

Have your kids ever seen pictures of glowing jellyfish , fireflies lighting up a summer night, or deep-sea creatures that shimmer in the dark? That magical glow is something called bioluminescence —and it’s one of nature’s most fascinating light shows! Angler Fish craft My class recently participated in a STEM workshop where they learned about bioluminescence in the deep sea. They learned about deep sea creatures like the Angler fish and how bioluminescence was part of their adaptation to the dark depths. They also had a blast making their own Angler fish complete with antennaes. Coincidentally, on this day we got to the chapters in ' The Wild Robot Escapes ' where Roz the robot was exploring the deep ocean and learning about bioluminescence, echolocation and the predatory nature of seabirds like the Skuas . (That's for another blog post!) For children, learning about bioluminescence offers an incredible way to bring science, nature, and imagination together. It’s a to...
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Best Independent Play Toddler Activities: Puzzles

Whoever came up with the idea of puzzles for little children is a genius. Thank you whoever, wherever you are! Who would have thought that cutting up a big picture into 24, 36, 48 pieces or more could capture the attention of even the most unfocused child? 

Trust me, if you don't have puzzles in your bag of independent play (caregiver break) tricks, take this as your invitation to get or make some! 

As mentioned before, you can find or make puzzles of various shapes, pieces etc to suit the temperament and taste of any child. So if a child is constantly struggling with a puzzle you can pick one with fewer pieces until they're ready to advance to a puzzle with more pieces. 

On the other hand, if a child is bored with a puzzle, you can select one with more pieces or a puzzle that is of interest to the child.

There are just so many things I really like and appreciate about puzzles for small kids and of course I'm going to share that with you!

Benefits of Puzzles for Little Kids

1. Opportunity for Independent play

2. Can provide an opportunity for collaboration and team work if 2 or more children or family members tackle a puzzle togther.   

3. Teaches logic & strategy 

4. Teaches spatial awareness. It takes alot of brain power and practice at an early age to figure out our relationship to our surrounding. Putting various puzzle shapes together helps to develop spatial awareness which is a keystone skill that is transferable to many aspects of their growing lives. Mathematics, Reading, Writing, Navigating, Strategic Planning etc.

5. Helps to develop problem solving skills.

6. Gives an opportunity to practice self-regulation because let's face it lots of emotions can come up when you're solving something that seems unsolvable. It's definitely grounds to practice working through frustration. 

7. Teaches focus and concentration

8.  Can be used as a fun tool to introduce or reinforce various subject matter. Any topic of interest can be made into a puzzle; whether numbers, alphabet, dinosaurs, the solar system etc. 

9. Helps build perseverance

10. Helps build self-confidence in a child especially once they see the big picture aka the visual representation of all they have worked through and completed.

Here are some puzzles my toddlers and I have enjoyed playing:





3. Melissa & Doug 4 in 1 Wooden Jigsaw - Pets & Farm Animals


4. Melissa & Doug Natural Play Giant Floor puzzle: ABC Animals (35 Pieces)



Takeaway

Puzzles are a great way for kids to play independently and have some learning fun. What puzzles, if any, do your little ones enjoy?
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