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Open-ended Resources
 
Photo by Ms Libby Avery

Pre-School

Ms Libby Avery —

New resources arrive at Pre-School

When Pre-School looks at buying new resources and equipment for the children we ask ourselves several questions;  

  • What the reason behind the purchase is
  • Will it improve the quality of teaching and learning outcomes for the children 
  • Is it versatile and not simply built for one purpose 
  • Is it durable, sustainable and environmentally friendly 
  • Is it an open-ended resource.

I am often asked, “what is an open-ended resource?”. Open-ended resources enable children to play freely. They are objects that have no rules to follow, use or function. Raw materials that can be used to build or to create or to combine to make something new. 

They are items with no directions and can be used by themselves or with other materials. Open-ended resources can be carried, lined up, redesigned, taken apart, moved and put back together in multiple ways. The child/children determine what materials are used and how to use them. 

The benefits of open-ended materials provide multiple uses and endless play. They enable children to be creative and express themselves in play, often using materials to explore and represent other things. There is no pressure to complete an “end product” or bound by limitations. While playing with open-ended materials children are engaged in decision making and problem-solving opportunities. By exploring the materials children become innovators, designers, explorers, artists and collaborators as they build, sort, design, manipulate, arrange and stack in a variety of ways. 

At Pre-School we have a variety of natural and brought resources which support our children’s creative thinking. Using these materials children involve themselves in concrete learning which lead to exploration that occur naturally, rather than adult directed. When children engage with open ended resources, there is no right or wrong answer. It provides an opportunity to plan, create and investigate.