When I first began my early childhood career (not to mention my role as a parent) over 20 years ago it could be time consuming, expensive and difficult to access activity ideas, resources and support as either an educator or parent. You had to source the right books or training and network with others whenever you could.
And then came the internet…and then bloggers, facebook groups and pinterest…..and then a whole new world of ideas and inspiration opened up for us all!
This can sometimes become a huge time waster though as you lose yourself in the ideas and find more and more new blogs as you search. Some are fantastic sources of information and ideas (like mummy musings and mayhem of course 😉 ) and some not so much. Sometimes you are searching for something specific but not sure which of your favourite blogs would be the best start.
I'm here to help save you some time because although I am a blogger and writer I am also an early childhood educator and parent too. So I've searched and networked and liked and pinned for quite some time now and want to share with you some of my absolute favourite blogs currently writing about the joy of early childhood. Some have more of a focus on parenting, some are activity and craft based, some focus on the great outdoors, sensory play or homeschooling. Some focus on different models of early learning and some do it all and more. All of them I believe have something of interest and are a valuable tool for parents and educators of young children.
I've split them up into categories to make it even easier for you, many of the blogs cross over in the categories but I have tried to group them under their main interest. The way to use a big list like this is to bookmark or save and then come back to slowly work your way through the interest areas as needed. There are of course many, many more out there but this is my personal list of favourites!
Let's get started, I have loads of inspiration for you!
Early Years learning / Play Based Learning
Irresistable Ideas for Play Based Learning (No longer active but some wonderful stuff in the archives!)
One Perfect Day
Learning to Play and Playing to Learn
Stimulating Learning with Rachel
Kindergarten and Preschool for Teachers and Parents
Montessori /Reggio/ Waldorf Inspired
Child Led Life
Reading and language development
Honey Bee Books
Busy Bugs
Parenting & children's emotional support
Peaceful Parents, Confident Kids
Just for Daisy
Janet Lansbury – Elevating Child Care
Outdoors/nature/sustainability
Down to Earth Mother
Let the Children Play
Mud Mud Marvellous Mud
Baby and toddlers
Sensory and Sensory processing disorder support
Homeschooling/Unschooling
Suzie's Home Education Ideas
Enchanted Homeschooling Mum
I hope you are inspired and have lots of fun visiting all the fabulous blogs above for your early years play ideas!
Next week I'll be sharing a list of my favourite early years Facebook pages.
Make sure you’re not missing out on any of the mayhem and fun by following me on:
PINTEREST ,FACEBOOK,TWITTER, G+ OR BLOGLOVIN
Keep having fun
Jode x
Wow,very comprehensive list – might have to set aside a weekend to go through them all. Thanks for sharing.
Great list Jode! Pinned x
Such an AMAZING list of bloggers. Thanks for including Laughing Kids Learn Jodie. x
What an incredible resource list, Jodie!!! Thanks for your hard work compiling it all… so many new blogs to explore 🙂 Helps to have a collated list bc it sure can get overwhelming out there in the interwebzzzzz!!!!
An honour to be included xx
Great list; my blog reader will be even more full now! Irresistible ideas for Play Based learning was one of my favourites – I was so sad when they stopped posting 🙁
Me too Erin, took me a while to realise they had though lol ! I love your blog, must add it to the list 🙂
What a great resource! Thank you for including Montessori Nature 🙂
You’re amazing!! Thanks for including Just For Daisy! 🙂 x
This is a great resource! Thanks for including Golden Reflections Blog! 🙂
Thank you so much for including our site! Definitely pinning this great resource!
Thanks for pinning Dayna and for sharing such a wealth of information through your fab site!
Thank you so much Jodie for including The Educators’ Spin On It! Sharing now with our Pinterest followers, such a great resources for parents and teachers.
Thanks for pinning Kim! Your blog of course had to be included!
What a great resource Jodie! And thanks so much for including you clever monkey! xx
Thanks Nichole…am so happy I could include your wonderful blog – truly a great resource for educators and parents!
Thanks Jode for including Stomping in the Mud on your list of blogs.
Dianne
Thanks Dianne, I so love everything you do and can look at your photos for ages lol! x
Thank you so much for including me on this fab list, Jode! x
Of course I had to..you always inspire me Rachel!x
Thanks for featuring Science Sparks. x
Thanks for giving such an informative list. I got some nice ideas regarding how to be a better parent. I have found many of the activities of kids that are really interesting.
Great Post!
Having run my own learning center this blog is on spot <3. Keep up the good work.
Very wonderful blog! Thanks a lot for sharing!