CHRYSALIS MONTESSORI

“Heuristic play” was a term coined by Elinor Goldschmied and Sonia Jackson. It was an extension of “the treasure basket” which was a collection of real(objects that adults would use too) that were offered to babies to explore for a limited time. This was proven to foster children’s concentration. “Heuristic play” continues to offer children real objects but it was directed to more mobile babies that are confidently crawling and toddlers.
Children need to be well rested and not hungry 🍌🛏 (to avoid dysregulation during the sessions)
Some principles underpinning Heuristic Play

The objects offered had to be offered in multiples chunked into different categories.

⚠️Children are to be supervised at all times

🐣No interference unless absolutely needed.. This is a chance for the children to develop their emerging independence, creativity and autonomy.
❗️Materials need to be regularly checked, anything that can potentially be hazardous is to be discarded or mended

🔇a carpeted designated area with no
distractions( no other toys) is the best place to hold the sessions

👧🏿👧🏻🧒🏽👦🏼🧒🏾Best results are rendered as a group activity
💪Reserve 15 minutes at the end of session for tidying up, have a container for each category
Here are some examples of objects

🌰conkers, large walnuts
⭕️curtain rings, metal and wood
🧻toilet rolls, kitchen roll, cello tape roll, cling fill rolls- collect these when they are finished