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At this time, we have returned to face-to-face instruction, and these resources are intended to support socially distanced collaborative play among students in face-to-face classrooms. If restrictions are reimposed to return to distance learning, many of these materials could be adapted to support at-home collaborative play when and where conditions allow. Due to ongoing social distancing requirements, our classroom's limited play materials, now stretched thin, make it difficult to share adequately while remaining safely spaced apart. With access to sufficient puzzles (floor jigsaws) and construction sets (Lego and marble ramps) my students could play collaboratively within the Covid-19 restrictions we are facing. I hope to have enough blocks or pieces for individuals to build with while staying safely distanced, reducing competition for the currently limited sets of blocks and puzzles. Art supplies, skin tone crayons, construction paper, and sharpies will support independent art centers with sufficient supplies for the teacher to facilitate students drawing and creating together while not all reaching for a limited share of resources. Puppets, (farm animal hand puppets and puppet making kits) will allow students to interact and play with teacher support while maintaining social distancing across the classroom and invite increased engagement when puppets are also used imaginatively by the teacher while presenting lessons. Chess sets will introduce young learners to an immensely imaginative low-tech game appropriate for building social emotional skills such as self-regulation, taking turns and creativity. Chess can be played by two masked players spaced three feet or greater apart while interacting closely. There is a recognized need to lean into social, emotional learning now for students who have had limited opportunities to interact with their peers during the pandemic. Investing in play resources for this age group will support their future successes as respectful, imaginative collaborators.
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