Getting Busy Learning with Busy Bags

A new addition to the play based learning arsenal are busy bags. I've just started developing them to help my 2 year old with certain skills and also to support the areas that he has an interest in and is passionate about. 

Designed to be used for short term play eg 10-20 minutes they have proven to be a fantastic resource for my Year 1 students as well. 

At present I have focused on using recycled, upcycled or cheap items as I like the concept of using your imagination, role play and creativity to lead learning rather than expensive gadgets or resources. 

Here my Year 1 students have opted into a shoe tying workshop busy bag activity. Their first opt in workshop of the year. It was exciting to see so many students recognise this as an area for development and choose this busy bag option for play based learning. 

Part of the focus has been fine motor skill development. As you can see below they all involve ideas, drawing, colouring etc from my 2 year old so he has ownership of his busy bags. 

As teachers we sometimes like things to look a certain way but in reality true ownership is built through co construction. Wonky cutting, crooked lines and scribbles all show that we did it together. The resources are then free to be enjoyed and played with in numerous ways, often in a totally different direction than anticipated, but that's what makes them awesome! 

If it's not possible to play outside due to weather, time or schedule constraints then consider incorporating busy bags into the classroom. Talk with students about areas of development and then develop play based activities to cater to their needs and interests. The only limitations are your own creativity and resourcefulness!