Ramp Center Kit - Kodo Kids
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Ramp Center Kit

$756.00

Introducing a new learning center in your program is made easy with our introductory Ramp Center Kit. This collection of beautiful maple ramps and accessories has everything children need to get ideas flowing and ramp play going!

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At Kodo we know how important it is to introduce Design and Systems Thinking to young children and this kit has all the right stuff to launch that thinking through hands-on play. We’ve included enough materials for you to set up a complete learning center, including our exclusive Discovery Ramps, Rubber Ramp, Swiss Ramp Stands, and Small Sandbags. We’ve included a set of our Small Sandbags which you fill with the materials of your choice. Sandbags offer children a new perspective when stacking and building and we love them for supporting wooden Discovery Ramps and for providing stability when creating curves, loops, hills and valleys with the Rubber Ramp. As children get familiar with these materials, they’ll be combining everything to form complex systems, giving you many opportunities for authentic observation of the rich learning taking place.

Play with ramp systems helps children experience and learn how structure and construction styles affect elevation, speed, distance, and motion. All the loose parts can be combined in endless ways, providing opportunity for exploration and investigation. When it’s time to tidy up your space, children can help by storing the ramps and balls neatly into the included Ramp Tote Bag. Swiss Ramp Stands come apart to store flat, perfect for small spaces.

Includes:

  • Discovery Ramps Single Set – an engaging way to introduce the fundamentals of Engineering and loose parts play to children
  • 30 Sandbags Small – multi-use building block **Bags arrive empty
  • Swiss Ramp Stands – add instant elevation to play with ramps
  • Discovery Ramp Tote Bag – Keep your discovery ramps safe and ready to bring with you on the go
  • Extra Set of 10 2″ Wood Balls – a staple loose part and ramp roller
  • 12′ Rubber ramp – flexible ramp which allows children to explore the manipulation of a continuous line, and to experiment with elevation change in relation to a start and ending point
  • Teaching Guide

Appropriate for ages 3+

Some of the purposes of introducing Systems Thinking to young children is to teach them about changes that occur over time, help them to examine variables and to recognize interdependencies. At Kodo, we believe that learning should be supported through hands-on experience and that educators need effective tools to help children reach their learning outcomes and objectives. The Ramp Center Kit was designed with this in mind – offering adults a way to intentionally introduce systems thinking concepts naturally, with tools young children love.

From The Kodo Classroom:

Setting up a Ramp Learning Center near or in combination with your block play area is best for inspiring complex structures. Help children plan, make, and improve on their systems with intention, keeping mindful of not using too much interruption or formal instruction. Vary your routine so as to provide lengthy investigation time over the course of several days, weeks, or months. Help children document and catalog their discoveries, including notes on their goals, what worked, what didn’t, and changes made to each iteration or design. This information can be used to chart, graph, and analyze the data collected during their process.

Engineering and Physics Vocabulary;
Momentum, motion, energy, ramp, inclined plane, slope, elevation, machine, contraption, chain reaction, cause, failure point, data, analysis, system, structure, foundation, stability, reliability, continuity, connection, goal, result, outcome

Open-Ended Questions Adults Can Ask Children:

  • What do you want to have happen?
  • What are some ways you think it might work?
  • What are some of the materials you will need?
  • What properties do the materials have?
  • How you will know when it works?
  • How will you plan; make a drawing, discuss with your group, use picture or book for an idea?
  • When x happened, y happened, why is that?
  • Is there something that is failing and needs improving?
  • What could you add ( or remove) from this to help you reach your goal?
  • Has your goal changed? What is your new goal?
  • What have you discovered?

Suggested Books to Support Systems Thinking:

  • Because a Little Bug Went Kachoo by Rosetta Stone (really Dr. Seuss)
  • Going Places by Paul H. Reynolds
  • Ruby Goldberg’s Bright Idea by Anna Humphrey
  • What Is A Pulley by Lloyd G. Douglas
  • Henry Ford:Big Wheel in the Auto Industry by Mike Venezia
  • Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty
  • What Do You Do With An Idea by Kobi Yamada