FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How can I raise funds to buy a Nüdel resource?
You may want to write a grant application to a government department, council or philanthropic organisation to raise funds to purchase a Nüdel Kart. You could also set up a pitch on an online crowdfunding site, or use more traditional fundraising ideas or door knock local businesses.
You may want to write a grant application to a government department, council or philanthropic organisation to raise funds to purchase a Nüdel Kart. You could also set up a pitch on an online crowdfunding site, or use more traditional fundraising ideas or door knock local businesses.
Can my school raise funds to buy a Nüdel resource?
Yes, as a no-profit Playground Ideas is constantly working with sponsors to send Karts to schools and communities that need support across the globe.
Yes, as a no-profit Playground Ideas is constantly working with sponsors to send Karts to schools and communities that need support across the globe.
How many children can use a Nüdel resource at one time?
Nüdel Kart - There are enough parts for a whole class (up to 30 children) to work with this at one time. You can always use more than one Nüdel Kart at a time for larger groups, purchase Nüdel Kart add- ons or add your own local materials.
Nüdel Rover - The Nüdel Rover is designed for smaller groups of up to 8 children.
Nüdel Kart - There are enough parts for a whole class (up to 30 children) to work with this at one time. You can always use more than one Nüdel Kart at a time for larger groups, purchase Nüdel Kart add- ons or add your own local materials.
Nüdel Rover - The Nüdel Rover is designed for smaller groups of up to 8 children.
Isn't it noisy?
Yes, it can be. Some teachers manage noise better than others and the noise seems less overwhelming in larger spaces. Remember that we want children to be doing more talking, and thinking in classrooms. This is an excellent context for developing thinking, speaking and listening skills.
Yes, it can be. Some teachers manage noise better than others and the noise seems less overwhelming in larger spaces. Remember that we want children to be doing more talking, and thinking in classrooms. This is an excellent context for developing thinking, speaking and listening skills.
What if children use parts as weapons?
Children can be reminded of the ‘keep safe’ rule. Encourage them to play fight in slow motion. The novelty tends to wear off pretty quickly.
Children can be reminded of the ‘keep safe’ rule. Encourage them to play fight in slow motion. The novelty tends to wear off pretty quickly.
Can I replace lost pieces and add to a Nüdel resource?
No problem, your Nüdel Kart can be maintained and expanded easily through Nüdel add- ons or with local materials. See tips above for maintaining, restocking, building and adding to Nüdel Kart with low cost and free items. Contact us for a specific piece or enquiry.
No problem, your Nüdel Kart can be maintained and expanded easily through Nüdel add- ons or with local materials. See tips above for maintaining, restocking, building and adding to Nüdel Kart with low cost and free items. Contact us for a specific piece or enquiry.
Where will play fit into the Curriculum with competing priorities?
Play is not always seen as an important priority. Lack of time, resources and places to play are often cited as problems. In some schools, the value of play may be questioned by parents, and parent education may also be necessary. Professional development on the need to play and the critical skills learnt in play, ways to optimise interactions and demonstrating links to curriculum may be beneficial. Contact us if you would like to book in Professional Development with staff in your setting.
Play is not always seen as an important priority. Lack of time, resources and places to play are often cited as problems. In some schools, the value of play may be questioned by parents, and parent education may also be necessary. Professional development on the need to play and the critical skills learnt in play, ways to optimise interactions and demonstrating links to curriculum may be beneficial. Contact us if you would like to book in Professional Development with staff in your setting.
Do Nüdel resources only suit some children?
Nüdel is for everyone. The child decides how to use it. The benefits of playing include: using imagination and creativity, solving problems, developing social skills, higher order thinking and resilience. Children develop confidence from using their own voice and a strong sense of wellbeing from making decisions. This is universally tested to be suitable for all genders and cultures to help all children thrive throughout their lives. Nüdel resources are most suitable for children from 3 - 12 yrs old.
Nüdel is for everyone. The child decides how to use it. The benefits of playing include: using imagination and creativity, solving problems, developing social skills, higher order thinking and resilience. Children develop confidence from using their own voice and a strong sense of wellbeing from making decisions. This is universally tested to be suitable for all genders and cultures to help all children thrive throughout their lives. Nüdel resources are most suitable for children from 3 - 12 yrs old.
Why is it called Nüdel Kart?
There are three reasons for calling it Nüdel Kart!
There are three reasons for calling it Nüdel Kart!
- Physically, it’s about the size of a South-East Asian Nüdel kart
- The Australian saying, ”use your noodle” encourages a person to use their brain and think about something.
- To “noodle around” means to play or experiment.
Why is it called Nüdel Rover?
Just like the Nüdel Kart only smaller!
Just like the Nüdel Kart only smaller!
Why is it only one colour?
By only creating one colour kart, it prompts the child to add meaning onto the object as opposed to driving meaning through association.
By only creating one colour kart, it prompts the child to add meaning onto the object as opposed to driving meaning through association.
How big is the Nüdel Kart?
It's about the size of a traditional supermarket shopping trolley. Finished size is approximately 72cm Wide x 83cm High x 133cm Length (Handle can be packed away to reduce length to 120cm for storage).
It's about the size of a traditional supermarket shopping trolley. Finished size is approximately 72cm Wide x 83cm High x 133cm Length (Handle can be packed away to reduce length to 120cm for storage).
How big is the Nüdel Rover?
It's about the 1/3 the size of a Nüdel Kart or traditional supermarket shopping trolley. Finished size is approximately 55cm Wide x 92cm High x 72cm Length.
It's about the 1/3 the size of a Nüdel Kart or traditional supermarket shopping trolley. Finished size is approximately 55cm Wide x 92cm High x 72cm Length.
Can you use it outside?
Yes.
Yes.
Can you use it inside?
Yes.
Yes.
Why are the edges of the plywood not perfectly smooth?
Texture is so important for children’s sensory needs and so we have left a real woodgrain feel on the edge of the wood to create yet another sensory experience. The plywood is made from 100% Birch which is a very forgiving flexible and splinter free timber. If however through use the wood chips, we have supplied sandpaper where you can quickly remove any sharp edges if required. The maintenance pack will help you keep the cart in best order for use day after day.
Texture is so important for children’s sensory needs and so we have left a real woodgrain feel on the edge of the wood to create yet another sensory experience. The plywood is made from 100% Birch which is a very forgiving flexible and splinter free timber. If however through use the wood chips, we have supplied sandpaper where you can quickly remove any sharp edges if required. The maintenance pack will help you keep the cart in best order for use day after day.
Aren't some of the pieces too heavy for children?
Based on longitudinal research from the Sydney Playground Project their findings showed that heavy parts were essential if you want high levels of social skills development. Heavy parts cannot be manipulated by only one child and therefore, force children to collaborate requiring the highest order social skills such as negotiation, problem solving, compromise and so on.
Based on longitudinal research from the Sydney Playground Project their findings showed that heavy parts were essential if you want high levels of social skills development. Heavy parts cannot be manipulated by only one child and therefore, force children to collaborate requiring the highest order social skills such as negotiation, problem solving, compromise and so on.
Do I need power?
Not to use it but you will need an impact driver to put it together.
Not to use it but you will need an impact driver to put it together.
How long does it take to assemble out of the flat-pack box?
Nüdel Kart V1 - For your average school maintenance person allow half a day. If you're having any issues please contact us.
HOWEVER....
Thanks to your feedback we have made some improvements. If you purchased a V2 kart which will arrive from August 2021, the construction time has halved so allow no more than 2-3 hours.
The Nüdel Rover - 30-60 minutes for the uninitiated. If you have already purchased a Nüdel Kart it could take as little as 15 minutes.
Nüdel Kart V1 - For your average school maintenance person allow half a day. If you're having any issues please contact us.
HOWEVER....
Thanks to your feedback we have made some improvements. If you purchased a V2 kart which will arrive from August 2021, the construction time has halved so allow no more than 2-3 hours.
The Nüdel Rover - 30-60 minutes for the uninitiated. If you have already purchased a Nüdel Kart it could take as little as 15 minutes.
How long does it take to pack up together?
10min. And you can get the class to assist with this process. Much less for the Rover.
10min. And you can get the class to assist with this process. Much less for the Rover.
How do you clean an educational resource like Nüdels?
Please note
(1) Cleaning during COVID-19
(a) The best course of action would be to quarantine the Nüdel Kart for 72 hours between uses.
(b) Otherwise we suggest cleaning all pieces with mild soap with friction*, between each use.
*the action of one surface or object rubbing against another
(2) If there is a known Coronavirus case that's when you should do a 2 step clean
(a) Rub down with detergent and then;
(b) Rub down with disinfectant. (refer to this link for further information https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/covid-19-information-workplaces/industry-information/agriculture/cleaning#heading--1--tab-toc-how_to_clean_and_disinfect)
(3) For a general clean outside of a COVID-19 environment ,we suggest wiping down with a damp cotton cloth. If the kart is particularly dirty or has been used 10 times or more, as per the supervisor manual, if you are conducting a piece by piece safety check, you may want to clean the kart and each element with mild soap and some friction or an environmentally friendly cleaning agent. Test on the wood first to make sure it won't stain or damage the Nüdel Kart.
Please note “If the Nüdel Kart requires a rigorous cleaning schedule, the timber may become dry over time and may require additional oiling. Contact us at nudel@playgroundideas.org for an appropriate oil to maintain the Kart over the long term.
Please note
(1) Cleaning during COVID-19
(a) The best course of action would be to quarantine the Nüdel Kart for 72 hours between uses.
(b) Otherwise we suggest cleaning all pieces with mild soap with friction*, between each use.
*the action of one surface or object rubbing against another
(2) If there is a known Coronavirus case that's when you should do a 2 step clean
(a) Rub down with detergent and then;
(b) Rub down with disinfectant. (refer to this link for further information https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/covid-19-information-workplaces/industry-information/agriculture/cleaning#heading--1--tab-toc-how_to_clean_and_disinfect)
(3) For a general clean outside of a COVID-19 environment ,we suggest wiping down with a damp cotton cloth. If the kart is particularly dirty or has been used 10 times or more, as per the supervisor manual, if you are conducting a piece by piece safety check, you may want to clean the kart and each element with mild soap and some friction or an environmentally friendly cleaning agent. Test on the wood first to make sure it won't stain or damage the Nüdel Kart.
Please note “If the Nüdel Kart requires a rigorous cleaning schedule, the timber may become dry over time and may require additional oiling. Contact us at nudel@playgroundideas.org for an appropriate oil to maintain the Kart over the long term.
