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Invitations to Play: Where Learning and Play Meet

October 12, 2020

One of the many provocations, or invitations to play, found at grace Village ELC

Playtime at Grace Village is used to expand play activity, to take games and endeavours to where each child wants to explore. We do this with what we call invitations to play. You may have also heard the term ‘provocations’. These terms are used to describe the same concept.

Play is a wonderful and fun time for your child. It is also an instructive activity for your child to learn about their world, their place in it and to experiment. 

It is a time when imagination is set free, to explore, attempt new things, to fail and try again. Play is the seed of their growth and development.

What is an invitation to play?

An invitation to play or provocation is a way of setting up your child’s play session and inviting them in; to new and different ways to trigger their interest and open new directions of play.

Invitations to play encourage your child to expand their thinking and play in a fresh and creative way, without intruding on their free play.

It is a great way to introduce pieces from nature, objects from around the home or different uses for their toys.

An invitation to play and create the perfect pavlova at Grace Village ELC

The 3 elements to create an invitation to play

Uses open-ended activities

An invitation to play usually includes open-ended activities. Also called loose parts, they are components that can be played in a variety of ways.

Let’s say shells are a part of your provocation. The shells are the loose parts and can be used for so many activities – counting, weighing, sorting by colour, size or shape, or their tactile properties.  The shells can be used in games, to construct, decorate or in art. All these activities expand your child’s imagination, more so than structured play.

Inspiration: You can set up an invitation to play with a variety of shells, a pair of small kitchen tongs and several varying sized bowls.

Arranged together

An invitation to play has the elements set out in an obvious space or zone so they are inviting as well as self-explanatory. 

For invitations that contain smaller elements, the use of a tray or base is perfect. For larger items, the invitation to play elements can be clearly set out on a table or arranged in a section of the floor.

Inspiration: Arrange salt or sand in a drinks tray (should have an edge on it to contain the sand or salt) and place toy trucks in it with some small twigs and leaves.

Little direction from an adult

During an invitation there is little adult direction. The invitation to play should be self-explanatory for the child to explore each of the elements. By containing the number of elements, the direction of play is decided by the child or children as a group. 

During invitations to play, an educator or adult asks or invites the child or class to think about or explore an idea. 

A provocation to exploring the adventures of robots at Grace Village ELC

Why are invitations to play important?

Play that is initiated by your child (with little adult instruction), encourages new ideas and expands their ability to explore and be in control of their learning. Their play resources and choosing how to play with them inspires them to have first-hand experiences.

Children given the opportunity to make their own choices, learn independence for life-long learning.

Reggio Emilia and invitations to play

The Reggio Emilia Approach is an innovative and inspiring approach to early childhood education which values the child as strong, capable and resilient; rich with wonder and knowledge. 

By applying invitations to play to your child’s playtime, you are encouraging your child’s wonderment and knowledge in their actions by provoking thinking, ideas, and creativity.  

Learning is best through exploration. Offering elements and materials that invite children to play in a creative, non-instructive way, with no conditions on achievement promotes your child in his/her search of the world.

Every child brings with them deep curiosity and potential and this innate curiosity drives their interest to understand their world and their place within it. 

Grace Village follows the Reggio Emilia approach to early learning and use invitation to play as an experience set up in response to each child’s ideas and interests.

Idea: Find a piece of packing foam or similar, some golf tees and beads of different sizes, weights and shapes. 

An invitation to play and discover indigeneous Australians at grace Village ELC

Where do I begin with invitations to play?

For new comers, it can be quite tricky to create new invitations to play, but once you understand and start thinking differently, they do come together quite easily.

Observe your child

Watch as your child plays. Listen carefully to their conversations and the kind of questions they ask. Observe how they interact with others. Take note of their favourite toys, games and books.

All this information will help direct your creation and set-up of an invitation of play for your child.

Think creatively and differently

Now that you have fully observed your child, think about how you can incorporate their curiosity, ideas and interests into an inspiring playtime. 

A few items will do

Don’t overcomplicate it. You don’t need a lot of items for your invitation to play tray or table. Three different parts is a good start to get them on their way to free play.

One of the many provocations, or invitations to play, found at grace Village ELC

A little inspiration

Now that you have an idea of what your child likes, their interests, and some topics they would like to explore and experiment with more, you’re ready to create your very own invitation to play.

Start with a toy as the base

If you choose one of your child’s favourite toys to start with, this can be a good base on which to add the other invitations to play elements. 

Idea: Grab several toys of various sizes and textures, some fabric scraps and a handful of rubber bands.

Use nature as your inspiration

There is so much to do, see and to love about nature, go outside and see what you can find. Is it Autumn and large different shades of red and orange leaves are around, or perhaps you have brought home some shells from a recent visit to the beach or it’s Spring and the flowers have sprung?

Idea: Set up leaves, sticks, flowers and rocks with their play insects

Look around the house

There’s a treasure trove of items you can use. Look in the kitchen utensil drawer, or the plastic container cupboard. How about pull out different shape pastas or flours with varying textures. Try the linen cupboard with an assortment of fabrics in varying colours and textures or the garage for some unusually shaped tools.

Grace Village loves to use recycled materials. These are always fascinating and inspiring as well as fostering a culture of sustainability.

Inspiration: From the recycling, gather some caps, lids, jars, boxes and containers, with small pom poms.

Check out social media

Use the hashtag #invitationstoplay to find an abundance of ideas from other parents or early learning childcare centres. Remember, your invitation to play does not have to be Instagram worthy, a few items around a theme is all your child needs to explore.

Discovering the wildlife of Australia with an invitation play at grace village ELC

Get inspiration from Grace Village

In line with our Reggio Emilia approach, we use invitations to play every day for our children. When you next pop in, have a look around each of the rooms at what is set up for the day. You can draw inspiration from our trays or use elements as a base to develop one for your child.

Alternatively, ask your little one’s educator. We can help direct you in the areas of learning and play they love the best to build on what we are teaching at Grace Village.

Don’t get disheartened if your child doesn’t want to engage with your table invitation to play, or even play with it how you imagined. That’s the beauty with invitations to play. You are seeing their world from a whole new perspective, so different from our own. This is what makes us all so special and unique.

Invitations to play are fun. Once you get started, you will see the possibilities are unlimited – you won’t be able to stop!

A wooden toy plane waits for its pilot

Want to see the fun of playing and learning at Grace Village?

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What Parents Say

Grace Village Early Learning Centre
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Grace Village Early Learning Centre is an amazing center . My 3 yr old Son has always looked forward to attending his days . Chantel has created a caring environment that exceeds every child and... parents expectation. I loved knowing about my child through out the day through their app which their educators were brilliant at updating . I highly recommend this center . Thank you for everything you do .read more
Marina S.
Marina S.
First of all there's a child care that looks after the kids&Then there's Grace Village Early Learning centre that nurtures your kids. It is meant that a child's development begins from the pillar... and Grace Villageis a pillar. After 2 years of tenure with Grace Village ELC, I realise that there could not have been a better place for my daughter. Their professionalism is at its best. A most recommended ELC for the parents looking to enrol their kids. There is no option to give more stars or else I would give 10/10.read more
Chirag V.
Chirag V.
We could not thank Grace Village enough for the support and care they give all the children. The whole team are kind hearted and down to earth. If you send your child here, you will not regret it.... They are amazing.read more
Ricci J.
Ricci J.
My first born son attended Grace Village ELC for more than two years and was joined by his brother when I went back to work. I could not recommend the centre enough, not only do they have amazing... facilities with spacious indoor play area, lovely educators and quality programmes, they also have been great in balancing being professional and personable at the same time. I am so grateful that they have been a part of my boys' early learning and they will be missed dearly. All the best!read more
Toni Rose C.
Toni Rose C.
The educators are excellent at their job. They were really patient with my little one and helped her transition into care. It just shows that much they care about the kids. I would recommend them to... any parents looking for a childcare.read more
Gilbert V.
Gilbert V.
Grace village is a such a wonderful and vibrant childcare centre. My daughter absolutely loves attending the centre and she has thrived ever since! The educators are friendly and very patient. The... centre is well equipped with educational aids and equipment and it has a large sandpit which all of the kids love! It is such a fun centre!The directors/owners are lovely people who are also very dedicated, welcoming and accommodating.The centre celebrates Easter, Christmas and Mothers and Fathers day well, by involving the families. They put on lavish and wonderful luncheons and events at the centre. I love how they involve everyone, not just the child. I cannot recommend them enough!!! 😍read more
Jo T.
Jo T.
I have had my children at grace village since it opened, I knew from the moment I walked in and was greeted by the childcare centre owners ( Ray and Chantel) that this is where I want to send my... children. I basically was ready to sign my children up untill the centre just got better and better, they took me through the the rooms which are beautiful and then I was shown the kitchen (OMG the kitchen) the children go to eat their meals in this mini cafeteria it is the cutest thing and I loved that my children were able to see each other during meal times.Then we walked into the indoor play space and wow just wow it’s honestly something you haven’t seen before I just LOVED the fact that if it was completely pouring down rain my very active boys could still play( indoor play space) like they were playing outside.The staff are amazing!!! And i could go on and on and on about how great this place is but you have to go see it yourself.read more
Julieanne L.
Julieanne L.
Grace village has been absolute game changer for my family! My son Hamza attended and The AMAZING staff at Grace Village are the most patient, friendly, kind, warm, respectful, professional,... engaging people I've ever met. The love, security, education and energy they provide the classrooms and each child is unbelievable, they not only engage with my son but they quite often tailor activities to his needs and interests; they provide him the opportunity to "help" around the centre and they really try to maintain a positive and happy atmosphere/environment for the kids. I would highly recommend this early learning centre to everyone who is looking for a place for their child to not only learn, but to blossom and be cared for on not only a professional and educational level but a maternal level too. The educators are simply amazing. We only took our Son out as we have moved to interstate and honestly miss you team.read more
Hussein O.
Hussein O.
My grand daughter attended gracevillage for almost 2 yearsShe throughly enjoyed her time there and learnt so much with the daily activities food was great nutritious & healthy the carers were... absolutely nice & welcomingGracevillage has a wonderful lovely feel to the place I would highly recommend to anyoneI wish Ray & Chantel all the best for the futureWe will miss everyoneThank you to all the carers been and goneread more
Margaret M.
Margaret M.
Love love love all the educators at Grace Village. I am so privileged to not only work with the amazing team, but also have my little girl absolutely love and enjoy every single day in the tiny... humans room. All the educators throughout the centre show her so much love and that’s exactly what makes me want to come to Grace Village each day!read more
Gloria H.
Gloria H.
We are so lucky to be apart of Grace Village. From the amazing facility, quality learning programs to the amazing owners and educators. We couldn’t be happier to have found Grace Village. HIGHLY... Recommend!!!read more
Megan R.
Megan R.
My daughter has been attending Grace Village for the past 3 months and had settled really well and clearly enjoys going to daycare. As an anxious mum, I was surprised how comfortable I have been... leaving my daughter there every day, but I know she will be so well looked after.She is really flourishing, and the updates each day show just how much thought and care goes into planning activities for the children every week. I am so surprised how much my little one has developed in the few weeks she has been there, especially as she's only part time. Already she is speaking much more and has learned to walk (although she insists on being carried around a lot at daycare!)From the moment I walked in I knew I wanted to send her to this daycare, and we were on the waiting list for a year before a spot opened up, but I am so glad we stayed on the waiting list. It has been the perfect fit for our family and I am so grateful to all the wonderful educators, there really isn't a weak link - they have all be amazing!read more
catherine L.
catherine L.

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