Recently, as part of the Early Years Initiative team with the Kildare County Childcare Committee, I had the opportunity to facilitate a stay-and-play session at an emergency accommodation centre. Despite facing significant challenges, the families there demonstrated resilience, creativity, and hope. Inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach, this experience emphasised open-ended, natural materials, children’s voices, family involvement, and community connections—all expressed through the universal language of play.

Creating a warm, welcoming space

From the very beginning, our goal was to create an environment that felt safe, respectful, and full of possibility. We laid out natural objects, loose parts, and art supplies—an open invitation for children to explore and express themselves in whatever way felt right to them.

Children engaged in activities that reflected their individual interests. For example, one girl started drawing her family, adding details as her ideas developed, saying, “I like drawing my family,” which showed her voice and creativity. She then excitedly turned to her dad and said, “Look! I drew a picture of us all together,” clearly proud of her work and eager to share her story.

Playing with playdough

Making playdough quickly became the highlight of the session. We brought plenty of ingredients and invited children and families to experiment freely. There were no bowls, just a table for mixing and creating. Some children were hesitant to add more ingredients, so I encouraged them to try adding extra oil or salt to make the dough workable, supporting their sense of ownership and discovery. As the session progressed, families and children incorporated cinnamon and spices, shaped the dough into pizzas and cakes, and added sparkles, feathers, and wooden beads to create different textures. These materials helped them tell stories.

Building connections

Throughout the experience, the team remained present, attentive, and responsive, witnessing families as they connected and collaborated. This shared journey of creation and relationship-building highlighted that, even amidst adversity, children and families can find joy, purpose, and belonging through meaningful play experiences.

Child-led play experiences

This play experience highlighted the importance of open-ended materials and supporting children’s natural curiosity. When children are encouraged to explore and share their ideas freely, they develop confidence, resilience, and a strong sense of identity. Respecting and nurturing their curiosity demonstrates that their ideas and voices are valued.

Ongoing support through open-ended play

At the end of each session, we invite children and families to share what they would like to explore the following week. Making playdough? Still top of the list—every single time.