Just as we have seen the children’s creativity and resourcing of their own learning reach new heights, the process of removing most of the commercial toys from our outdoor learning environment has also sparked the creativity of the staff.  We are constantly looking for ways in which we can reuse and repurpose various materials, to include natural materials into our programme where ever possible, and provide the opportunity for us to work together with children to create our own unique and handmade resources for both our outdoor and indoor learning environments.

Having the world at your finger tips (or in front of you on the computer screen) provides a limitless array of inspiration and networking with other like minded educators.  Last week one of our favourite facebook sites  – let the children play – posted a link to some blackboards which had been created with some wooden rounds. It sparked our interested, and with in days, there were rounds, and a slab of redgum being sanded, and painted.

This week they were on the table, and the mat, and where ever else they were dragged around to, being enjoyed by the children.

They would also make inviting adjuncts to the block corner – imagine being able to draw your own pond complete with fish or ducks to build a house next to.

Another wonderful idea created by one of our staff and the children last week was a timber geo-board.

It was amazing to watch how the children challenged themselves with this, exploring the different heights and widths as they stretched rubber bands in patterns all over the board.  They added various other resources to it to create so many more play opportunities than a regular geo-board ever could.

We also purchased a wood burning tool recently.  The children have created a stunning sign for our recycling centre,

the sign for our mud kitchen hangs proudly, and there is a large clock in the process of being made which will take pride of place on the tree in the mud kitchen on its completion.

The loose parts in the outdoor area have been in high demand lately as the children created the biggest bridge in the world.  Sparked from reading the three billy goats gruff, a few children decided to make a small bridge to retell the story.  Their excitement and enthusiasm drew more and more children and the ideas and plans became grander and grander.  They worked together as a team, experimented and worked through theories about what could work where, and slowly build the magnificent structure that encompassed most of the outdoor environment.  It was risky, it was challenging, it was fun and it was covered with children for days on end. The odd grumbling old troll still made an appearance every now and again, very concerned about what all that trip trapping on his bridge. He had the company of princesses and castle guards, a few ninja turtles and other super heroes were even spotted balancing, climbing, jumping and making their way through the various obstacles that the bridge comprised of.

There is so much out there to inspire and challenge us all to use our imaginations and available resources and create with the children when ever we can!

Written by Nic

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 Early Years Learning Framework

Outcome 1- Children have a strong sense of identity

Principle 1– Children feel safe, secure and supported

Principle 2– Children develop their emerging autonomy, inter dependence, resilience and sense of agency

Principle 3– Children develop knowledgeable and confident self-identities

Principle 4 – Children learn to interact in relation to others with care, empathy and respect.

Outcome 2 – Children are connected with and contribute to their world

Principle 1- Children develop a sense of belonging to groups and communities and an understanding of the reciprocal rights and responsibilities necessary for active community participation.

Principle 4 – Children become socially responsible and show respect for the environment

Outcome 3 : Children have a strong sense of wellbeing

Principle 1– Children become strong in their social and emotional wellbeing

Outcome 4 – Children are confident and involved learners

Principle 1– Children develop dispositions for learning such as curiosity, cooperation, confidence, creativity, commitment, enthusiasm, persistence, imagination, and reflexivity.

 Outcome 5 – Children are effective communicators

Principle 1– Children interact verbally and non-verbally with others for a range of purposes

Principle 3– Children express ideas and make meaning using a range of media

Principle 4– Children begin to understand how symbols and pattern systems work