What is loose parts play and why is it important for children’s development?
What is loose parts play and why is it important for children’s development? Loose parts are one of the most wonderful early learning resources for...
Learning Through Play
Sticks & Stones Education is a teacher owned toy store with a carefully curated collection of toys and educational resources that nurture children's learning through play.
We are your play specialists offering education toys, small world play resources, animal figurines, felt toys, wooden toys, play-dough tools, arts & crafts and so much more at your fingertips.
SMALL WORLD PLAY
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" The most effective kind of education is that a child should play amongst lovely things. "
PLATO
"Play gives children a chance to practice what they are learning."
MR ROGERS
WE'RE GROWING IN 2022!
Oh you fabulous human bean! Welcome to the new website. I'm so pleased you have joined me here. 2022 is the year of growth and momentum for Sticks & Stones Education. The past two years have been a roller coaster of highs and lows and we're pleased to be settling into a groovy growth pattern. This will be happening over late May though to November. We have some exciting new products, wonderful new brands and just all the good things to look forward to! I also hope to host our annual market as well ... but more on that later.
I'll keep you updated via our socials and via our emails, so sign up for all the goss.
NATURE BASED PLAY
Oh Hello!
Hey there! Thanks for stopping by! This is me, Gaby and I'm the one woman show behind Sticks & Stones Education: chooser of inventory, chief photographer, stocker of shelves, copywriter, packer of orders and runner of the socials, and website builder.
I'm also an Early Childhood Teacher and I am currently working in a primary school setting. I made the leap from Long Day Care centre manager to primary and preschool teacher in 2019 and its given me back a balanced life! Plus it's let me grow this gorgeous business of mine.
I'm also an accidental cat rescuer, lover of coffee, pickled jalepenos and virgin mojitos. That should explain the random kittens and mexican feasts I might share along the way.
The Benefits of Play Dough
Play dough is a staple of early childhood play and learning. In my 25 years in early childhood education it has certainly been a core part of the curriculum I’ve planned for children’s learning and development. I really started to think about the value of play dough and the silent messages we give to children when we offer them play dough resources. In that example I gave above, the children were being told that play dough can be rolled and cut into certain shapes and certain letters. There wasn’t a full set of the alphabet, it was just the leftovers. What does our resourcing of children's play tell children about their play?
What are Play Schemas?
Some of the typical behaviours we observe in children are actually play schema! A child knocking over another child’s block tower, children hiding in cardboard boxes or the empty shelves of drawers, throwing toys across the room or dropping food from their high chair, lining up cars in a row or the infamous rock collecting that has peppered my career as an early childhood teacher! These are all examples of children’s development that are often misunderstood as destructive or “naughty”. Behaviour is learning made visible just as it is communication of a need.
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Email address
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WANNA KEEP IN TOUCH?
Message Us via our Contact Page
Email us at hello@sticksandstoneseducation.com.au
Phone us on: 0434 141 647*
Follow Us on all our socials!
Our online store is open 24/7 and we respond to emails within 2 business days.
*I'm also a teacher so I will only be able to answer calls after 4pm until 6pm.
Cheers!
= Gaby =
Testimonials
I ordered presents for my niece and my own children and they are even better than they looked online. It’s precious to get presents that are beautifully made, environmentally friendly and educationally fun, without breaking the bank. Gaby contacted me to confirm something and went above and beyond to get everything to me quickly and packaged beautifully, despite lockdowns. I couldn’t be more delighted!
I have purchased from Sticks and Stones Education for around 4 years now. They are one of only a handful of businesses I buy from regularly.
I return because of the range and quality of products and the customer service is second to none. The product knowledge is excellent. I’d highly recommend this small business.
