Hi Everyone- I hope its ok to answer this question here in a new thread outside the poll. I have been thinking about this question on how we work with children and the material arranging. In my classroom that is mixed ages ( 1yo-5 yo) we have baskets on the shelves with materials open for the children to use as they see fit. Baskets of fabrics, wood cookies, surface samples, corian squares etc. The children love adding them to their work with unit blocks, cars and people, magnatiles. Outside of puzzles and board games we dont really have 'toys' that have just one way to use them in the classroom. I include open ended materials in our sensory offerings as compliments to playdough or things to find in a sensory table. I sometimes will offer a table top activity that might be a circle shape of fabric and a variety of items that could lead to creation of a face. I might have a mirror set on the table for the child to look into for referencing theri own face. But even in the "set up invitation's" the children often make something that was not my expectation and often is much more beautiful than I could have imagined. Loose parts materials are all over our classroom and many outside as well! I think that the information table events we have done have shown us that the children understand and are open to all the ways to arrange and 'play' with materials in novel ways outside of what the original intent was. It is the adults that seem to have amnesia or forgotten their inner creativity. I have seen that it is still there inside of everyone if given the time and space, everyone can start to hear the language of these open materials and begin to remember the joy as they work with the materials. I think its very true, that we need these types of opportunities for everyone as part of our mental health. Brian Sutton-Smith said "The opposite of play is not work, its depression" and I think its especially true when screens have taken over peoples time. I am including some photos for fun of the classroom, and our table events!

Hello- I am an early childhood educator inspired by the schools in Reggio Emilia Italy. I am also on the board of our educators network here in Minneapolis (Reggio-Inspired Network of MN) In 2020, we began exploring the possibility of creating a Creative Materials reuse center here in Minneapolis, inspired by the Remida in Reggio. I formed a committee to dig in to ways we could create it and after 6 years, 2 moves and working little by little, we have a pretty wonderful space. It is open to the community one night a week. We offer workshops, have had tray workshops with seniors inspired by Nicoles work, and been part of camps for youth in the summer. I am excited to be here and learn from everyone! I took a video this evening of our space and some of the items we collect. Our items are available at a suggested donation of $10 for a large grocery bag or $5 for a small bag. We had some young creators in the lab tonight so I couldnt get a wide view of the space but it gives you an idea of what we have set up!