A place to explore education and learning alongside Jessica Connors, MEd, BEd, BAA(CHYS) Monday – Friday from 7:30am to 5:30pm
This one is simple to set up.
1. Put paper and scissors out on the table.
2. Start folding and/or cutting and watch the creative unfold! 🤩🤩
03/18/2026
I haven’t even finished this book yet but I feel the need to share it. Everyone who is raising children needs to read this book!
This book has made me super aware of my phone usage and has me terrified for children growing up in this world.
If you have read this let me know your thoughts.
I do! But there is value in the mess!
Sometimes our playroom can get pretty chaotic and I struggle to just leave it..but that mess = play = engagement = exploration = learning!
Try leaving the mess 🙈 and see how rich their play becomes!
This one may cause some mess… but if you have a lazy Susan or anything that you can make spin … try putting some materials on it and see what happens!
Getting our socks, boots, coats, hats, mittens and of course bags into the car in a timely fashion is a challenge.
This doesn’t even include what I need for myself!
And I’ll be honest, some days it can take us a long time to get out the door… and I can lose my cool and we all leave in an unhappy mood.
This isn’t good for anyone involved.
Here are some things I do to help me in these situations;
1. I start singing what we need to get done: “Let’s get our boots on our boots on our boots on…etc”. Singing makes everything more fun!
2. I prep things before we have to go: Everyone’s things are in a pile before it’s time to get out the door. So when we get to the door it’s easy to gather and go.
3. If I’ve already lost my patience. I step away and take some deep breaths, put on some calming music and go back in whispering. It can diffuse the chaos because they have to get quiet and to listen.
Anything you would add?
I know this is a big statement, and I know it takes a big change to totally revamp our education system, but I wonder why more isn’t being done to bring back play, bring back childhood, bring back freedom!
The books and research I have been reading have encouraged me to facilitate lots of time for free play at our house … raise your hand if you are with me! 🙋🏻♀️🙋🏻♀️
Messy play can look chaotic and sometimes we don’t like it, but often times it’s the best play!!
Children get super engaged and play for longer! They can use their imagination, learn, and explore!
What is your favourite messy play?
01/27/2026
This is a cute little story about a squirrel who is sad when her best friend has to hibernate. She ends up making a new friend, a snowman, during the winter months.
Pick up this book to see what they do together while they wait for Spring.
Sometimes it’s easy to feel pressure to make snow days extra special through fort building, ice cream in the snow, sledding, hot chocolate, fancy suppers etc.
Have you ever stopped to think that snow days are special all on their own? Take time to watch the snowflakes fall, shovel together or just relax inside and let your kids direct their own play.
Magic doesn’t need to be fabricated, children can find it in almost anything. ♥️
1. Take some cups and turn them upside down on the floor.
2. Choose a couple cups to hide a toy under.
3. Take turns flipping cups to see who can find the toy!
My children played this for so long!! And we also took turns being the one to hide the toys.
I am happy to offer workshops I have already developed or create one specific to your center or school.
Send me a DM or comment below for more details!