FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How can I raise funds to buy a Nüdel Kart?
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 Kart?
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 Kart at one time?
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.
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.
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 Nüdel Kart?
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.
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.
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 Nüdel Kart 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 Nüdel Kart if you would like to book in Professional Development with staff in your setting.
Does Nüdel Kart only suit some children?
Nüdel Kart 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 Kart is most suitable for children from 3 - 12 yrs old.
Nüdel Kart 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 Kart is 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 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 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).
Can you use it outside?
Yes.
Yes.
Can you use it inside?
Yes.
Yes.
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 a power drill if you are assembling it.
Not to use it but you will need a power drill if you are assembling it.
How long does it take to assemble out of the flat-pack box?
For your average school maintenance person allow half a day. If you're having any issues please contact us.
For your average school maintenance person allow half a day. If you're having any issues please contact us.
How long does it take to pack up together?
10min.
10min.
How do you clean an educational resource like Nüdel Kart?
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.
