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It's exciting to be able to declare that you, thanks to Educational Experience, are being offered a nationwide first!
Shoppers have been able to go to any grocery item and get immediate information on the contents or the rating/tick/seal of approval. However, when it comes to the selection of play equipment, there has been absolutely no guidance, no credible authority or organisation able to give the consumer a hand to help them choose wisely.
Just after I had finished my doctorate in children's play, the only one in Australia at that time, it got me thinking about what dimensions need to be covered to determine the educational qualities of a play item. Since then I have refined my thinking further, based on my background and research in child development, and now we have the opportunity to share this new research based system publicly for the first time.
The SPICE rating system - it is truly a world first – I hope you find it useful and would certainly welcome your feedback.
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| The SPICE concept is a system that assesses and rates the quality and benefits of a play item, allowing you to make an educated purchase. The ratings under the acronym SPICE generally accord with important educational dimensions in child development and multiple intelligence. Here is an explanation of the elements: |
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| Once the items were rated on SPICE, Educational Experience conducted working groups of parents, carers and teachers to assess each item on more pragmatic practical dimensions. The more stars an item has, the higher it rates across the board in the following areas: |
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These components were then collated and analysed to determine the star rating readers will see on selected items. The more stars an item has, the higher it rates across the board.
Hopefully, with such a thorough and world first examination of the educational and practical value of the play item, you can choose from the list with some confidence. Obviously there will be many items not covered by the selection. This does not mean they weren’t good enough to be selected but rather that the process takes time and will be ongoing and those bearing the rating were the ones selected, not by me or the judges, but by a random group of parents and teachers.
So please feel totally supported and unimpeded in choosing items you like or with which you’ve had good experience.
Thank you for your support. Thank you for reading right through to the end - there must be a chocolate frog hidden below as a reward. Remember play is not a four letter word, it is the essential learning tool for young children; what a shame we grow out of it or do we?
Dr John Irvine
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| Click here to download the full story about Dr. John Irvine and the SPICE Rating System. |
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© 2010 Dr John Media Pty Ltd for the SPICE Rating System. © The Educational Experience Pty Ltd for the Star Rating System. All rights reserved in the SPICE Rating System and the Star Rating System.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: As with any ratings system, individual results may vary and will depend upon your use of the selected products. The star rating system was based upon a group of 80 educators. We make no guarantee regarding the level of success you may experience with the selected products as a result of the SPICE and Star rating systems. |
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