The following documents and articles contain some great resources
and information on the importance of play, process (vs. product) art, loose parts, and the Reggio Emilia and Forest School approaches:

Information about
the Importance of Play:
(click each link below and a separate window will open)
The Importance of Play: Research from Cambridge University
Lively Minds: Distinctions Between Academic vs. Intellectual Goals for Young Children by Lilian G. Katz, PhD
Power of Play: A Research Summary on Play & Learning
Learning Through Play in the Early Years (EYIP e-book)
Longitudinal Study: The Relationship Between Pre-K Block Play and Reading & Maths Abilities in Early Education
File Size: 171 kb
File Type: pdf
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Picture
  Information on
  Process vs. Product Art:
  (click each link below and a separate window will open)
Information about the
Reggio Emilia Approach:
(click each link below and a separate window will open)
PDF Invitations to Play and Explore: Provocation Ideas for Parents
File Size: 2304 kb
File Type: pdf
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PDF Values and Principles of the Reggio Emilia Approach by Lella Gandini
File Size: 113 kb
File Type: pdf
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PDF Reggio Emilia Approach to Early Childhood by Anna Fiore
File Size: 112 kb
File Type: pdf
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PDF Examining the Reggio Emilia Approach (ECE Journal)
File Size: 59 kb
File Type: pdf
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PDF The Reggio Emilia Approach to Early Years Education
File Size: 485 kb
File Type: pdf
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PDF Reggio Emilia as Cultural Activity Theory in Practice
File Size: 152 kb
File Type: pdf
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PDF Educator Reflects on Meaning of the Reggio Experience
File Size: 771 kb
File Type: pdf
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PDF Environment as the Third Teacher
File Size: 572 kb
File Type: pdf
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Information on Forest Schools
and other Nature-Based Approaches:
(click each link below and a separate window will open)
Play Theory: Understanding Play Types and How They Relate to Forest School
Defining Forest School: What Do You Mean "Emergent Curriculum"?
Defining Forest School: Why Visit the Same Land Many Times?
The "Hidden Curriculum" of Forest School
Why We Need Nature Play (Ch. 3: research cited)
Nature Play at Home: A Guide for Boosting Your Children’s Healthy Development and Creativity
Playing with Nature: Supporting Preschoolers' Creativity in Natural Outdoor Classrooms (ECEE Journal)
A Guide to Facilitating Reflection in the Outdoors e-book
Outdoors and Up For It! Outdoor Activity e-book
Learning Outdoors in the Early Years (EYIP e-book)
Information on
Loose Parts Play:
(click each link and a separate window will open)
This is a PDF handout I created specifically for parents. .
Loose Parts Guide.pdf
File Size: 902 kb
File Type: pdf
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Information about the Reggio Emilia Approach
and how it compares to other approaches
such as Waldorf and Montessori
 Three Approaches from Europe: Waldorf, Montessori, and Reggio Emilia
Comparison among Froebel, Montessori, Reggio Emilia and Waldorf-Steiner Methods - Part One
Comparison among Froebel, Montessori, Reggio Emilia and Waldorf-Steiner Methods - Part Two