Posted under Play activities
Ideas on how to use a Rainbow Dip-dyed cloth Avril (below) was a presenter for a rainbow dip dyeing workshop. Look at the lovely rainbow silk cloths she dyed with her group. Later in the week, we had a group discussion to share some ideas on how we could use these cloths with children in imaginative play. One…
Posted under Imaginative Play, Play activities
“Why I’m NOT Done Making My Kid’s Childhood Magical” Yesterday, a friend posted this on her Facebook page. “I’m done making my kid’s child magical“ by Bunmi Laditan, featured on The Huffington Post. Bunmi’s article is a reminder that it is not our job as parents to CREATE a magical life for our children, and that they already see and…
Posted under Play activities, Rainy Day
Last year, a friend of mine held a birthday party and in the take home party bag was a little cellophane packet tied up with string that held about 20 tiny fairy eggs in rainbow colours. Ned was fascinated by these tiny balls and their potential. But somehow, they got lost. Last month, when we were in Sydney, we visited…
Posted under Play activities, Wood
If only I’d known how easy it was to make a pulley system, I would have done it ages ago. Ned found a little toy that I bought many moons ago and yesterday, we worked out how to set it up. The toy is German made by Kraul. “Mini Cable Car” Sadly I have no idea of the supplier. If you do,…
Posted under Play activities, Simple sewing
On Friday 6th January, we attended a Royal Gathering, the “Fete des Rois”. (You can read about our adventure at Lavendilly House) Of course, one cannot attend a royal gathering without a title or a crown. Whilst Ned is informally known as Ned, Prince of Books, for this occasion he took a new title. “Sir Truck-a-lot“ Yes, when Ned was…
Posted under Games, Party, Play activities
This is my new all-time favourite of things to do with little children…. A Crystal treasure hunting game!! Small circular carpet mats were placed on the table and in the centre of each mat sat a small pile of tiny stones, an upturned clam, paua or pretty shell, and a little pair of tweezers. The object of the ‘game’ was…
Posted under Play activities
Can you imagine a place, where up to 20 little children are mostly free to move about from room to room, under the watchful loving guidance of five co-workers in a big old warm timber home? (The exception to this might be when one co-worker blocks off a room with a low barrier frame to keep inquisitive babies from knocking over the…
Posted under Cars, trucks, and trains, Play activities
Organic Play in action The Pedagogical Principle of Imitation Supporting Boys in Play Nature Tables- Inspiration for Play (Are boy themes helpful?) The (Moondew) Playspace 2010- ideas for play toys An idea for fabulous playtimes: The Rice Table
Posted under Play activities
Ned loves his sandpit. He really loves his sandpit. But on wet days, when he can’t get outside to play, he often tries to find creative substitutes from my pantry. Flour works. Check. Breadcrumbs work. Check. But to be honest, I can’t clean up another flour adventure ever again! I have been thinking about something else that he…
Posted under Play activities
Doesn’t it just entice you in? A beautiful stained glass window facing the front street is the only hint that behind the doors of this suburban house lies a magical wonder for children. Welcome. This is the door for the teachers, but the children and families take a traipse down the walkway into the back garden adventure playground and…
Posted under Play activities
So many fish swimming in the water…. (Complete with washi tape name-tags to help the fishermen identify their catch!) Here is the how-to to make the fish . Now, how to make your own fishing rod. Firstly, buy or cut yourself some lengths of bamboo or similar type of reed, about 45cm in length. You might try Bunnings in Australia,…
Posted under Play activities
I love fishing games, and so do children. Here is an easy way to make one for home. Bring it out for birthdays or rainy days, or stuck at home bored days. What fun! First step, use this pattern to cut out two matching shapes from a piece of wool felt. For the nose ring I like to use ‘washers’….
Posted under Play activities
“Look, Mummy, the snake is dancing!!” The ‘snake’ is simply a very long length of braid from our knitting nancy, in rainbow colours. It is normally kept inside on the shelf as a rope to tie cubbies or use as a belt on a costume. But look what Ned made it do today! I love how…
Posted under Play activities
The thing I love about visiting thoughtfully prepared kindergarten spaces is the inspiration for setting up a beautiful space. Toy rooms don’t have to be full of broken junk. In fact, when WE adults care for the things they play with (much easier to do when we also love their toys), children too are much more likely to care for…
Posted under Play activities
If I were to draw up plans for my dream home, I’d have to copy this kindergarten! Or, I could just move right in! I just love it! These are photos of the outdoor space, and a few inside shots of a Waldorf school located about 90 minutes north of where I live. This kindergarten has been in existance…