P-ILE-05: Access to Real Objects

This measure pertains to equipment and materials that encourage hands-on manipulation of real objects for children. These equipment and materials must portray natural objects and familiar things that are true to life instead of toy replicas and can be found in various interest areas. Some examples include empty food boxes and containers, newspapers, magazines, pine cones, and real dishes.

Category: Category 4: Indoor and Outdoor Learning Environments Subcategory: Indoor Learning Environment

Examples

In this section you will find videos, images, and/or documents that can be used to better understand this measure. These examples can also be used in conversations between mentors, directors, and/or teachers to discuss how the program's current practices compare to these examples.

Gross Motor Play for Toddlers (Example A)
Photo Example

Real world objects can support a variety of skills, including gross motor play. In this photo we see toddlers playing with a real box and laundry basket.

Age(s): Toddler
Natural Materials (Example A)
Photo Example

This collection of natural objects includes items that promote hands-on manipulation as well as smaller objects that are protected in a clear container.

Age(s): Infant, Toddler
Natural Materials (Example B)
Photo Example

Living plants that children can help care for are a great way to bring nature inside. Dried leaves and seasonal vegetables can also promote exploration and conversation about different plants and seasons.

Age(s): Infant, Toddler
Science Materials
Photo Example

This photo shows examples of real objects provided in the classroom that promote children’s scientific understanding, including a magnifiying glass and various samples from nature.

Age(s): Toddler

Practice Opportunities

These resources include tips, strategies, activities, or specific tools related to this measure that programs can put into practice.

Children and nature: Do you support the connection?
Publication

This brief guide provides ideas for how to bring real natural objects inside the classroom, as well as ideas for how to use the objects to promote conversation with children. Classrooms can use this guide to generate ideas for incorporating more natural objects.

Age(s): Infant, Toddler, Preschool, School-age
Environments That Invite Learning
Publication

This tip sheet includes ideas for setting up environments that promote interest in exploring materials. Use these tips and incorporate real-world objects like real cookware, food containers, magazines, pine cones, rocks, etc.

Age(s): Infant, Toddler