Welcome to the Print Play Learn Blog!

Harriet + Violet is now Print Play Learn

Harriet + Violet is now Print Play Learn. The website is still the same it’s just the name that has changed. I created H+V back in 2013 to share free printable teaching resources online. When teaching, time is so tight so I wanted to help teachers like myself have instant access to printable resources. I …read more Read More

A Parents Guide: What is Phonics?

Education is filled with jargon that, as a parent and sometimes as a teacher, can be confusing and hard to understand. When it comes to children learning how to read, phonics is a term you will hear a lot. But what is phonics and how is it used in the classroom? In this post I’ll …read more Read More

A Quick Ocean Play Dough Recipe and Invitation to Play

I created this ocean play dough scene using one of the invitations to play from my Play Dough Play Pack. First I used the coloured play dough recipe to create a light blue play dough. What you need: 1 cup of flour 1/2 cup of salt 1 cup of water 2 tbsp of oil 2 …read more Read More

Setting up a Year 1 Classroom – quick printable resources guide

I just thought I’d write a quick list of all the things you may use in a Year 1 classroom to start you off. You could have themes for different areas or just one theme running in your classroom, there are so many different ways to do it. I have linked to some of my …read more Read More

Sand Play Dough Recipe

As we had just bought some fresh play sand I thought we should try out a sand play dough recipe! This was the first time I had tried this recipe and found it was quite sticky to begin with, so I added a little more flour which helped. This is a no cook recipe but …read more Read More

Creating an Inviting Book Corner – at School or Home

I’ve always found that book corners need to be inviting, comfy places where children and adults want to spend time. I wanted to share few ideas I’ve used in my classroom over the years as well as some inspiration taken from other teachers and colleagues.  It may sound ridiculous but I don’t just have one book area at …read more Read More

Pirate Play Dough Invitation to Play

Follow these instructions to make the purple coloured play dough for this invitation to play. You can of course just use bought play dough but I prefer home made as it’s softer for smaller hands. Once I have the play dough, I collect objects suitable for my son to play with; glass pebbles (I’ll always watch him …read more Read More

Phonics Play Pack

I’m so excited, the Phonics Play Pack is now available and ready to be purchased. There are 40 different games to play and they can easily be adapted to suit the needs of your class or an individual child. I’ve popped a few tips and challenges alongside some of the games to give a few …read more Read More

Step by Step Instructions for Making Play Dough

Here is my step by step recipe for making play dough. I made a dark purple play with these instructions but it can be easily adapted to a colour of your choice. I chose to use icing colour to make the colour, which is more of a paste and makes a stronger colour than food …read more Read More

An Easy Lavender Playdough Recipe

Do you want to know how to make Lavender playdough? Then read below. This playdough recipe is perfect, create a soothing, calming lavender play dough. Ingredients for the lavender play dough: 1 cup of flour 1 cup of water 1/2 cup of salt 1 – 2 tbsp of oil 2 tsp of creme of tartar …read more Read More

Simple Space Themed Playdough and Invitation to play

Playdough is a great fine motor activity for children, especially early years and primary school. Playdough supports muscle development as well as creativity. Here is a simple playdoh recipe to follow and try out in school or home: Ingredients: • 1 cup of flour • 1/2 cup of salt • 1 cup of water • …read more Read More

Creating a Construction Invitation to Play Using a Tuff Spot

I’m used to creating tuff spot set ups for children in Reception and Year 1, so I needed to think how I could do this to support my son who is a toddler. I’ve realised it’s not that different for a younger child, as it’s down to how the child interprets the activity. It needed to …read more Read More

Events & Useful Dates – Jan 17

January: MartinLuther King Day Monday 16th January Burn’s Night Wednesday 25th January Australia Day Thursday 26th January Chinese New Year 28th January National Story Telling Week 28th January – 4th February February: National Number Day 2017 – NSPCC fund raising day Friday 3rd February Nursery World Show Friday 3rd and Saturday 4th February 2017 Superbowl Sunday 5th …read more Read More

Slideshare – an easy way to view books as a slideshow

I found this great website Slideshare. This website allows you to share slides of different books – perfect for an Interactive White Board. They range from people making their own versions to parts of the original book. Nothing beats having a book and I would always recommend having the actual book. Sometimes it can be …read more Read More

Halloween Messy Play

A quick simple way to make messy play with only a couple of ingredients. Read More

Create Your Own Moon Sand

This is a great no cook recipe. It’s perfect to make with a toddler, which is what I did. Making the moon sand was part of the play. This is super learning as it can extend their understanding of measuring. Moon sand is a brilliant resource to also use in school into a tuff spot or …read more Read More