Eggs, eggs, eggs

This environment was set up in response to an interest in the vast collection of egg cup and the Easter period (last year)

 It was used in a variety of ways over a period of some weeks, as simple sorting/ collecting/ joining to playing egg shops or resteraunts.

 The chick egg collector was from poundland, Im not sure if they are doing them this year also.

Spiky eggs, sorted, little chicks...

A basket full of egg cups (never have enough it would seem, all purchased from charity shops)

Chapel Hill Snippits has a wonderful Eggs story book on her blog to down load, which has accompanying printable PCS symbols

Magic Snow

I bought some "insta snow" (also marketed as magic snow) from pound land before Christmas and have just got around to using it. We milked the making of this for everything we could, following the instructions to the letter (reading, doubling the instructions so a bit of multiplying.....

dividing the water needed into tens
using a syringe to add the water in 10ml squirts,
watching the immediate reactions of the powder, !!)......
Oh we had fun, then played that was a little less successful (not so keen on texture and neither was I to be honest, haven't played in a while) But I think you will agree this is rather cute (with its features nabbed from the glueless collage) The "snow" is now in freezer awaiting another play session with a twist!!! I'll keep you posted

Glueless collage

We've got a bit of a winter weather theme going on in the playroom at the moment, how long that will last or how long it takes to evolve is a different matter! But it seemed appropriate with the weather just starting to get cold- maybe it will snow soon? Here is an art area for children to make moveable collages in picture frames and mirror.
The collage items are loosely wintery in nature, the blue picture frames containing some wintery inspiration. The black button has "can you make patterns on the frames?" recorded onto it."
The red button says "These pieces are really tiny, if you drop them pick them up" The colour paddles just add another dimension to view.

I added a children's camera to the display so pictures could be taken of their creations here are the first of two such pictures.

I also added a nice little kaleidoscope next to the mirror frame (again for inspiration and comparison)

Snow men counting

I got these snownen playing cards from pundland last year and planned to use them for song props but when i put them on a shelf next to my beads thought of this cool counting / fine motor activity.

Flower Ring

I created these Flower Rings to be used in Wedding themed play for flower girls! They were so quick to make and turned out really well. I purchased a silk flower lei from poundland, and cut the string to separate the flowers. I already had the rings (handles for bags I think?) I then simply stuck a length of double sided seleotape to ring, and stuck a selection of flowers on top. Hey Presto!

Foam Lightsabers

You all know my opinion about going with interests, well when all straight things are being used as lightsabers one must find appropriate means to create a safe environment. So I anounced I will make fabric lightsabers for you! Child replied "Fabric is floppy a lightsaber is straight and hard." My reply was I will find a way to make it, mmm that was going to require sewing :( so after a bit of googling I found these swimming woggle lightsabers (USA Pool Noodle) perfect!!! So off to poundland I told the person I paid what they were for she smiled and said "Each to their own" think she thought I was a nutter.

Such play can often be discouraged in early years settings, but is a continuing source of discussiong amoung practitioners relating to whether this is a developmentally appropriate activity and is largely due to some prevenlent pieces of writing on this subject e.g. "We don't play with duns here: war and weapon play in the early years" and "Boys and Girls: Superheros in the doll corner" There are also a three case studies on the subject published by The National Strategies, which make interesting discussion points. Additionally I like this succinct article from the national childcare accreditation council (Australia).

I would however suggest that rules are created to support safe play when allowing children to engage in activity that may result in potential physical contact. The rules in this picture were created in collaboration with children, when doing this be mindful of making an effort to create rules that tell children what they are supposed to do rather that not do. This is sometimes difficult for children to create, so at least attempt a balance or some compromise. Two more rules have been added "When an adult is not around jedi practice only (no lightsaber contact) and "Only play with people who have agreed or want to keep playing"

Lastly on a safety note after you have cut the foam it will be sharp, I suggest you tape the end that has been cut as it will scratch. Alternatively squish or stamp on the end.

Valentines playdough and sewing

Cut felt hearts (poundland dish clothes again) joined together with safety pins for the sewing process. The stitches to be guided with penned dots.
Play dough tray, with heart cutters (poundland), heart silicone cup cake cases (poundland), heart tin with buttons in, red playdough, rolling pin and little modelling knifes.

Chinese fortune cookies and Wontons

Well it's Chinese New Year on Wednesday, so I've set to work making some felt chinese food. We do have a chinese food play set but as with all occasions it's always nice to add to it. The fortune cookies were made using these instructions on Youtube by lillybeanplayfood, except I hand sewed rather than using a machine. There are lots of now sew instructions if you google "felt fortune cookies".
For the felt I used felt cleaning cloth from a pack of 12 from poundland. For the stuffing I simply used the scraps from cutting the felt into the required shapes. These wontons were made using the same fabric, by simply cutting a circle (I used a roll of tape as my template). I then tied a piece of green floss about a cm from end, then sewed a running stitch approx 4 cm from the perimeter of the circle. Stuffed then pulled floss tight and tying working end to the knotted end, creating a tie imitating the seaweed used to tie wontons.

I'll probably make some more food tomorrow and may break habit and post results on a Sunday! I think I will start with dumplings from with instructions from Burnt Muffin

Pound Land Presents

A brilliant gift on a budget. There is generally a good selection of cookie cutters, like this ginger bread family. To make the present look a little shabby chic, remove from packaging, tie cutters with a piece of ribbon and add a suitably themed label. Hey Presto, looks like you bought from a craft fair at a chunky price. Shhh

"I was brought up in an era when thrift was still considered a virtue." Paul Getty

Poundland Creation

So, used the "great" football match to create resources to support the bucket of plastic fruit ice-cubes.

Transferring

Transferring fruit into dish using tongs

Transferring fruits using tongs into matching coloured cups.

Transferring using tongs into compartments with matching picture.

Transferring using tongs into matching coloured silicone cases (only enough space for two fruits)

Repeating Patterns

Following and continuing ABAB pattern. Using velcroable matching fruits onto a velcro strip, allowing easy adapting or children creating their own patterns.

As above but permanent patterns following an ABCABC pattern.

Feeding Monster

I made this cute little model out of a food can (coffee mate) for feeding him the pieces of food. You could obviously use verbal instructions for a receptive language activity, particularly for stepped or sequential instructions e.g. "Feed monster an orange, banana and a strawberry." But for independent activity:

Pictures of fruits placed on a velcro strip, child feeds that "menu" to the monster. Ideal for use in a a workstation.

Laminated cards with numbers written on with a dry wipe pen, child feeds the monster that amount of each fruit. Ideal for use in a workstation.

Children select what fruit they want to feed to monster, velcro onto menu and feed him (or a friend feeds him). The menu can be used in imaginative play, to select fruits for fruit salad.

More about that Monster tomorrow.

"The only kind of learning which significantly influences behavior is self-discovered or self-appropriated learning - truth that has been assimilated in experience." Carl Rogers

Poundland finds

On my usual hunt for bargains, today found these fab items. Turned out brag books were buy one get one free!!! Any ways have plans for these and will post results, very exciting options.

"A bargain is something you have to find a use for once you have bought it." Benjamin Franklin

Poundland Sensory Stuff

Just saw a post on TES asking for cheap ideas for sensory objects for the sensory room and thought go to poundland!! So just wanted to share a few of the wonderful things you can get there to add to your sensory resources all @ a £1!! Go and explore! Have a look in the pet area too as they usually have some nice sensory balls, and rings etc.

"Play is the beginning of knowledge."