let the children play

Simple Play Space Transformations: #2 Shelters

noreply@blogger.com (jenny) — Fri, 03 May 2013 03:54:00 +0000

We can create engaging play spaces for young children using easily sourced and low cost (often free!) materials. It's easier than you think! Over the next few weeks I'll show you how, using examples from early childhood settings around the globe.

Today let's take a look at how creating a simple shelter can transform a play space, either at home or in an early childhood centre.

Create a Shelter

Shelters, dens, cubbies, forts or teepees - it doesn't matter what you call them, it only matters that you add them to your play space!

Children need child-sized spaces to make their own. Places where they can feel hidden away from prying adult eyes, places to retreat to and places to share with a special friend.

Shelters are inviting spaces, with a wealth of possibilities for a young child - and they are so very simple to create.

Here are some suggestions:

A pop up sun shelter from Cathy's Child Minding:

Pop up shelters work just as well indoors. They are easy to move around, and to put away at the end of the day. You can often find sun shelters cheaply at garage sales. I found the one below at an Op Shop for $5.

Shelters can be cobbled together from natural materials such as branches and stumps and lengths of fabric, from Elder Street Early Childhood Centre. Apparently this one is a tiger's cage:

Shelters can be a more permanent option, like this one from Gunnedah Family Day Care, created from wire mesh and bark:

Living shelters, like this teepee from Blue House International School create natural child sized play spaces that are instantly appealing to young children.

Train vast growing vines or climbing plants such as nasturtiums or beans over a simple frame of bamboo poles or trellis to create a wonderful natural hiding hole, or grow sunflowers to create a sunflower house like this one from Mother's Bible:

Shelters can nestle nicely into small spaces of the outdoor area, like this one from Puzzles Family Day Care:

Or into the corner of a nursery, again from Puzzles Family Day Care:

Sheer fabric hung from branches creates an inviting space beneath the trees, at Garden Gate Development Centre:

Throw a sheet over a frame of big sticks, like this one from Immanuel Lutheran Preschool:

Or over an old A-frame, like this one from Irresistible Ideas for Play Based Learning:

Make a shelter from palm fronds, from Irresistible Ideas for Play Based Learning:

Hang mosquito netting to define a play area:

Or an old sheet from the side of a cubby house or fence:

Think about the bushes and trees that you have in your outdoor space, and how the children could use them to create secret hidey holes:

We all remember creating forts using sheets, blankets and pillows from our own childhood. The best shelters are those the children have made themselves. Stock up on lengths of fabric, old curtains, table clothes and sheets and leave them out for the children to discover and to weave their own magic on the play environment:

And of course, one can never underestimate the potential of a cardboard box to become a house, a fort, a cage - or anything really! This one is from The Big Play Box:

For more on simple ways to transform a play space:

#1 Stumps

or browse through:

Garden or Bean Pole Teepee

Cubby in a Box

Building a House of Branches

Pop up Shelters at Preschool

Cubbies, Forts, Shelters or Dens at Preschool

Cubby Fun @ Irresistible Ideas for Play Space Learning

Over to you. Do you have any ideas for creating shelters for young children that you would like to share?

Simple Play Space Transformations: #1 Tree Stumps

noreply@blogger.com (jenny) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 09:35:00 +0000

We can create engaging play spaces for young children using easily sourced and low cost (often free!) materials.

It's easier than you think! Over the next few weeks I'll show you how, using examples from early childhood settings around the globe. First cab off the rank is the humble tree stump.

Tree Stumps

Stumps are a versatile addition to any play space, no matter the size. Sit on them, jump off them, climb over them, balance, play on them or carry them around - children can use stumps in a myriad of creative and imaginative ways.

Here are some suggestions:

Kidz at the Beach

Stomping in the Mud

Free Rangers Nursery

Green Apple Garden Preschool

Teach Outside

Elder Street Early Childhood Centre

How to run a Home Day Care

Sourcing Tree Stumps

Tree stumps, like many natural materials, can often be found for free. The trick to sourcing tree stumps is to keep your eyes open around your local neighbourhood. You will be surprised once you start looking just how often you will discover some that are just waiting for you to take home.

Potential sources for tree stumps are:

•Neighbours

•Council road crews

•Nurseries

•Landscape suppliers

•Recycling centres

•Local councils

•Tree lopping services.

•Timber yards

Don’t be afraid to ask! People are generally only too happy to give away tree stumps that they don’t need any more, especially when they learn that they will help to create a play space for children.

Over to you. I'd love to learn how you have used stumps in your play space.

Playful Pins - Inspiring Pinterest Finds

noreply@blogger.com (jenny) — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 04:59:00 +0000

Hello. My name is Jenny and I am a pinaholic.

Here are a few of the inspiring pins that have been fuelling my addiction of late:

This Brown Hen:

Adventures at Home with Mum:

Forskolverkstan:

Bring Blessing:

To see what else I've been pinning, visit me here.

What has been inspiring you on Pinterest lately?

You might also enjoy reading:

12 Top Outdoor Boards on Pinterest
Why Pinterest will Revolutionise Early Childhood @ Inspired EC
Best Pinterest Boards for Kids @ No Time for Flashcards

The Toy Hall of Fame: The Cardboard Box

noreply@blogger.com (jenny) — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 03:09:00 +0000

"With nothing more than a little imagination, boxes can be transformed into forts or houses, spaceships or submarines, castles or caves. Inside a big cardboard box, a child is transported to a world of his or her own, one where anything is possible." - National Toy Hall of Fame

Did you know that the humble old cardboard box is in the National Toy Hall of Fame?

And with good reason.

Cardboard boxes can engage children for hours for minimal cost and minimal impact on the planet. But more than that, playing with a cardboard box can build skills that toys with more bells and whistles can't - creativity, imagination and resourcefulness.

Cardboard boxes inspire creativity and imagination as they children build upon, transform and reinvent them.

Irresistible Ideas for Play Based Learning

The cardboard box takes them on adventures and helps them explore imaginary places in their minds.

Things to do with a Cardboard Box

"Children don't need a box to be anything more than a box. We didn't really need to make the box into anything, we just need to give the children the box and step back...... " - Amy, Child Central Station

The best kind of play with boxes is unstructured play - giving children the opportunity to explore a versatile open-ended material without an end result in mind.

Simply put out the box/s and see where the play unfolds.

Have other fabulously open-ended materials available that the children can easily access and combine with their box play.

These might include:

ropes
string
wool
pegs
masking tape
scissors
coloured markers
glue
play silks, scarves or lengths of material
Smaller boxes or containers
cardboard tubes
empty yoghurt containers
paper
garden mesh
paint
cushions
blankets
carpet squares
old sheets
sticks or leafy branches

Loose parts, plus the time to explore them takes children's imagination and creativity off into a myriad of different directions, as these images from the wonderful The Big Play Box show so beautifully:

The Big Play Box

Just like in real estate, box play can be all about location, location, location. Children may find different ways to explore boxes simply by placing them in different areas around the preschool (or home). Don't limit box play to one area - mix things up a bit.

Why not try the:

sandpit
digging patch
block area
reading area
craft table
home corner
next to the easel
mud pie kitchen

Non Creative Mom

For more free play goodness with cardboard boxes:

A tutorial on playing with boxes @ Teacher Tom
What Cardboard Boxes Teach Kids @ Moving Smart
Baby Play: Cardboard Box Tunnel @ The Imagination Tree
The adventures of a cardboard box
For the love of boxes
Theory of Loose Parts

Be Reggio-Inspired: Top Pinterest and Facebook Sites

noreply@blogger.com (jenny) — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 06:14:00 +0000

Welcome to the final post in the series "Be Reggio Inspired." To date, we have looked at:

Top Reggio inspired blogs
Reggio inspired indoor environments
Reggio inspired outdoor environments
Reggio inspired learning materials
Reggio inspired learning experiences
Reggio inspired displays
Reggio inspired on Facebook and Pinterest

5 Top Reggio Inspired Pinterest Boards

10 Top Reggio Inspired Facebook Pages

Over to you.

Do you have a favourite Reggio-inspired social space to visit? I'd love you to share it in comments.

Be Reggio Inspired: Documentation and Display

noreply@blogger.com (jenny) — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 09:55:00 +0000

Welcome to the sixth post in the series "Be Reggio Inspired." To date, we have looked at:

Reggio Inspired Documentation and Display

"Documentation can serve to illuminate the thinking, a change in thinking that occurred, what was learned or not learned, the evolution of the behaviour questioning, maturity, responses, and opinions."

- Wurm, 2005

The centres of Reggio Emilia document their daily experiences with the children, paying attention to the presentation - the visible trace - of the children's thinking.

Zella Said Purple

Documentation is displayed or easily accessible to teachers, children and families to:

provide a record of the learning process
reveal connections between events
review past experiences
plan future experiences
make learning visible to children and families
honour children's words
honour children's families

1. Inquiring Minds: Mrs Myers Kindergarten 2. Playfully Learning

"Documentation is not about what we do, but what we are searching for."

- Carla Rinaldi

Reggio Inspired Ning

"How can displays around the room and on the walls reflect the value of children's lives and the process of their learning? How can children personalise their space with art, gifts and treasures inspired by and created by them? "

- Journey into Early Childhood

Zella Said Purple

Irresistible Ideas for Play Based Learning

Thoughtful and respectful displays of children's the process of children's art communicates to children that their work is valued, and that this is their space.

Crayons, Wands and Building Blocks

"...the displays we create to tell the stories of children’s work naturally infuse the physical space with an authentic identity."

- Sarah Felstiner @ Emergent Environments

The Blue House International School

Through documentation and display, children see their own ideas and images having an impact on the physical space around them.

Journey into Early Childhood

Classroom displays that honour a child's family and home life, and the local community communicate a powerful message of being and belonging.

Don't forget technology. Video recorders, PowerPoint presentations, iPads, digital photo frames and tape recordings are an effective way for teachers to document, communicate and reflect on children's learning.

My classroom transformation has a list of useful apps for documentation in the classroom.

Garden Gate Child Development Centre

Involving children in the process of documentation is a powerful and valuable learning tool, for both the children and their teachers.

My Classroom Transformation

"It was really fascinating to watch them make documentation decisions! They reflected about the experience, and tried their best to choose pieces of work that would tell their classmates and visitors what they did. Talk about ownership!!"

Joanne Marie Babalis - My Classroom Transformation

Art is Education

Whether it is art respectfully displayed on the walls, photo albums in the book corner, a scrapbook of block creations in the block area, framed family photos on shelves, a basket of child-made books, tape recordings of children singing, playing, making music or telling stories the important thing is that we create a classroom that makes evident the lives of the children who spend their time there.

Be Reggio Inspired: Learning Experiences

noreply@blogger.com (jenny) — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 01:54:00 +0000

Welcome to the fifth of the series Reggio-Inspired Preschool Environments.

Over the next week we will have a little wander through:

Top Reggio inspired blogs
Reggio inspired indoor environments
Reggio inspired outdoor environments
Reggio inspired learning materials
Reggio inspired learning experiences
Reggio inspired documentation and displays
Reggio inspired facebook and Pinterest

Setting up experiences, Reggio style

Provocations: deliberate and thoughtful decisions made by the teacher to extend the ideas of children. Teachers provide materials, media and general direction as needed but the children take the ideas where they want.

- Journey into Early Childhood

In Reggio-inspired preschools experiences are set up by teachers with attention to aesthetics, organisation, thoughtfulness, provocation, communication and interaction.

1. Irresistible Ideas for Play Based Learning 2. Let the Children Play

As in any play-based classroom, experiences are set up in response to children's interests and provide hands-on opportunities for children to explore, practice, stimulate thinking, test theories and take control of their own learning:

1. Images of Learning Project 2. Blue House International School

The Reggio Emilia approach views children as capable, inquisitive learners and experiences are planned to spark creativity, thinking, planning and reflecting.

Stomping in the mud

1. Playfully Learning 2. Marla McLean, Atelerista

Children are innately curious about the natural world.

An experience using natural materials is not only aesthetically pleasing, it is also delightfully open-ended, engages the senses and supports valuable connections with the natural world.

1. Playing and Learning Begins at Home 2. Growing in Pre K 3. Irresistible Ideas for Play Based Learning 4. Irresistible Ideas for Play Based Learning

The Opal School Blog

Sand and Water Tables

Reggio inspired activities aren't just for preschoolers. The Reggio approach can be applied to babies and toddlers as well.

"...we put together a baby play space based on Reggio ideas of simplicity, light and real materials, and that included no plastic toys or electronic gizmos."

- Anna, The Imagination Tree

The Imagination Tree

And finally, don't neglect the outdoors!

Inner Child Fun

Simply Natural Mom

Little Eco Footprints

If you'd like more information on setting up a Reggio inspired activity:

How to set up a Reggio Activity by Kate @ An Everyday Story.
Reggio activities for toddlers @ Playful Learning

Or visit my Reggio Inspired Preschools Pinterest Board.

Be Reggio Inspired: play materials

noreply@blogger.com (jenny) — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 00:16:00 +0000

Welcome to the fourth of the series Reggio-Inspired Preschool Environments.

Over the next week we will have a little wander through:

Reggio Inspired Learning Materials

Materials have the potential to draw you in, make you want to stay a while, explore a little (or a lot), try new things, create and wonder. They also have the potential to completely turn you away. In a Reggio-inspired environment, as with many other play-based, child-led environments, the materials are carefully selected for their potential to enhance learning and discovery.

- Kate, An Everyday Story

Flights of Whimsy

Reggio-inspired materials are typically:

aesthetically pleasing
sensory
open-ended
authentic (real rather than plastic, or a child's version)
natural
interesting
inviting

Pre K and Sharing

They are selected to:

respond to children's interests
stimulate thinking
revisit prior learning
support creativity
ignite curiosity
encourage exploration
empower
engage
test theories

Using natural materials

Attractive selection of instruments and scarves

Many materials found in Reggio-inspired environments are easily and cheaply sourced. Visit you local Op shops (thrift shops) for scarves, table clothes, vases, buttons, kitchen utensils, tea sets - all manner of things!

Frequent garage sales; save all those empty boxes, wrapping paper, interesting bottle tops and wash out and reuse containers; ask hardware stores for their wood offcuts or go for a treasure hunt out and about in nature.

Ask families to bring in interesting materials from home, whether they are items that that can be reused, nature collections from a trip to the beach or instruments or cooking utensils that reflect their family culture.

Bellelli Educacion

Get real. Real tools and real materials are so much more enticing (and respectful) to young children:

Wherever possible, choose real over replica.

Places like Reverse Garbage in Sydney or Resource Rescue in Melbourne are a virtual treasure trove of intriguing, open ended materials full of play opportunities.

Bellelli Educacions

Think outside as well as in. Natural materials, such as tree stumps or tree cookies, lend themselves beautifully to creative and imaginative play. Old kitchen utensils can find a new home outdoors:

Make and Play

Reggio Inspired Ning

Stomping in the Mud

Children are experts in seeing the potential in these objects. With the simple addition of common objects such as corks, bottle caps, material scraps and ceramic tiles to a block area play can flourish:

Reggio Inspired Ning

Light boxes are popular in Reggio inspired classrooms to explore light, colour and shadow:

A Woven Education

A range of different mirrors can be used as backgrounds, surfaces, loose parts, tiles for clay or other art experiences and investigations:

An Everyday Story

Attention is paid to how materials are displayed. Clear containers, woven baskets and wooden trays all provide a neutral backdrop that doesn't detract from the materials within.

Top: Journey into Early Childhood Bottom: My Classroom Transformation and A Woven Education

Journey into Early Childhood

Uncluttered, clean and organised storage empowers children to make their own choices:

Little Preschool on the Prairie

If you'd like more inspiration, here are a few places to visit:

Be Reggio-Inspired: Outdoor Environments

noreply@blogger.com (jenny) — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 23:59:00 +0000

Welcome to the third of the series Reggio-Inspired Preschool Environments.

Over the next week we will have a little wander through:

Reggio-Inspired Outdoor Environments

"The best classroom and the richest cupboard is roofed only by the sky"
- Margaret McMillan

The principle of environment as the third teacher can - and should - be applied just as readily outside as inside by placing value on aesthetics, organization, thoughtfulness, provocation, communication and interaction.

The care and attention we pay to organising space outdoors stimulates children's stimulate imagination, creativity, exploration, discovery, engagement and sense of wonder, as the following images show so beautifully:

In the outdoor kitchen, a peg board makes cooking utensils easily accessible; a table cloth adds a welcoming touch

1. Flights of Whimsy 2. Irresistible Ideas for Play Based Learning

Inviting spaces can be created for one or two children:

Irresistible Ideas for Play Based Learning

Imaginative touches, colourful plantings and children's artwork:

"There is a garden in every childhood,

an enchanted place where colours are brighter,

the air softer,

and the morning more fragrant than ever again.

- Elizabeth Lawrence

Sensory gardens, herbs in pots and vegetable gardens delight the senses, offer hands-on learning experiences and help children to form lasting connections to the natural world:

Natural materials are delightfully open-ended and can be used by the children in a myriad of ways:

Top: Marla McLean, Atelerista Bottom: Extraordinary Classroom and Happy Hooligans

Stomping in the Mud

Loose parts - man made and natural - that are available for children to use as they please encourage creative and imaginative play:

Top: Extraordinary Classroom Bottom Left: Extraordinary Classroom

1. Stomping in the Mud 2. Teacher Tom 3. Let the Children Play

Magical play spaces that beckon children to come play can be defined using simple materials such as sheets, old curtains or scarves and lengths of fabric:

Careful choice and display of materials invite children to investigate, explore, discover and experiment:

Blue House International School

Small, secret, comfortable places where children can get away from the action outdoors:

Busy Bee Day Care

Little Trekkers

Stomping in the Mud

Creative storage and display solutions outdoors make it easy for children to make choices in their play (and to pack away afterwards):

Irresistible Ideas for Play Based Learning

Add the element of sound to an outdoor area:

Child Central Station

Mirrors can be added to fences or the sides of cubby houses:

Irresistible Ideas for Play Based Learning

Over to you.

Do you have any tips to share?

Be Reggio Inspired: Indoor Learning Environments

noreply@blogger.com (jenny) — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 22:57:00 +0000

Welcome to the second of the series Reggio-Inspired Preschool Environments.

Over the next week we will have a little wander through:

Reggio-Inspired Learning Environments

Space has to be a sort of aquarium that mirrors the ideas, values, attititudes, and culture of the people who live within it.- Loris Malaguzzi

Paying thoughtful attention to creating an environment that enables children to develop relationships with the world around them, themselves and each other is an important aspect of any early childhood program.

The Reggio Emilia approach is known for regarding the environment as the third teacher, and for good reason as these images show:

My Classroom Transformation

Early childhood environments should
be inviting and cultivate children’s
curiosity, wonder and imagination.
- Curtis and Carter

Journey into Early Childhood

Children are miracles.

We must remember it is our job;

To create,

With reverence and gratitude,

A space that is

worthy of a miracle.

-Anita Rui Olds

Irresistible Ideas for Play Based Learning

Materials are easily accessible and uncluttered and inviting. Every resource is carefully considered for it's purpose.

1. Journey into Early Childhood 2. Beyond the Classroom

Journey into Early Childhood

Reggio inspired preschools aim to create a welcoming, nurturing, home like environment. This doesn't have to be expensive, or require new resources. Little touches, like framed pictures or a vase of flowers can make all the difference.

Irresistible Ideas for Play Based Learning

Reggio inspired environments respect the need for comfort and a place to pause, for both children and adults alike.

Journey into Early Childhood

Irresistible Ideas for Play Based Learning

Natural materials provides an infinite number of possiblities, and convey a sense of

calmness and tranquility for both children and adults

Pre K Teacher

My Classroom Transformation

You might also enjoy:

Over to you.

Do you have any images of Reggio Inspired spaces that you would like to share?

Be Reggio-Inspired: Top 5 Reggio Inspired Blogs

noreply@blogger.com (jenny) — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 06:47:00 +0000

Welcome to the first of the series Reggio-Inspired Preschool Environments.

Over the next week we will have a little wander through:

Top Reggio Inspired Blogs

Are you after a little Reggio inspiration? Would you like to learn more about the Reggio Emilia approach? Do you like to sticky beak into other people's classrooms?

Then these are the blogs for you:

1. An Everyday Story

2. Marla McLean, Atelerista

3. Fairy Dust Teaching

4. Transforming our Learning Environment into a Space of Possibilities

5. Journey into Early Childhood

What about you?

Do you have a favorite Reggio inspired blog you would like to share?

you can never have too many books

noreply@blogger.com (jenny) — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 11:21:00 +0000

the importance of relationships in preschool

noreply@blogger.com (jenny) — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 01:42:00 +0000

play - the aftermath

noreply@blogger.com (jenny) — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 10:58:00 +0000

Looking at the aftermath of play makes me think of a day well spent.

And the clean up.

But at least there are always willing little helpers for that!

crushing chalk

noreply@blogger.com (jenny) — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 00:58:00 +0000

If there were an award given to the profession that excelled in the area of 'reuse, reduce, recycle' it would have to go to early childhood educators, don't you think?

After all, we can't walk past a box without collecting it or eat a yoghurt without washing out the container and saving it. Never is a present unwrapped without the paper and ribbon being put carefully to one side.

And when chalk gets down to the tiny nubs that even little fingers can no longer hold, we can't bear to throw it out without coming up with one last use for it!

We discovered that these remnants of chalk were perfect for smashing, grinding and pulverising to bits!

The children tried rocks, rolling pins and mortar and pestles.

What was left was a colourful mix that was dubbed "chalk sand".

The children weren't so much interested in the finished 'chalk sand' as they were in the process of creating it, so it has been poured into a jar for later use. Potions maybe. Who knows?

After all, we couldn't throw it away now could we?

What do you use every last tiny bit of?

Tips for teachers to banish interview jitters

noreply@blogger.com (jenny) — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 02:27:00 +0000

Can you spot the difference?

The first shot is preschool Jenny. The second shot is going to an interview Jenny.

You see, I'm leaving the job I never thought I'd leave and that means looking for a new one.

Which means drying your hair with a hair dryer instead of sticking your wet head half way out the car window on the way to work in a weak attempt to dry it. And frocking up. And mascara.

It also means pre-interview nerves.

This morning in an effort to calm them, I put the call out to on the facebook page for tips to calm and centre yourself before job interviews.

True to form, you came up with the goods.

If you too are doing the job interview thing - or anything that causes those butterflies to flutter - these tips are for you:

Naomi Giuliano A drop of lavender oil on a cotton ball. Sniff when needed. Good luck!

11 hours ago via mobile · Like · 2
Carebears Familypage Breath and have faith in yourself. See yourself as confident and successful. It will work. Repeat some positive affirmations. good luck.

11 hours ago via mobile · Unlike · 3
Brandy Currie Take a minute ... Close your eyes and remember when u made the decision to embrace the world of children... What made you choose ti takr this career?? What made you smile in college?? Think on these things, and the joy you feel when the children call your name and smile at you
You will do great!!

11 hours ago via mobile · Unlike · 2
Briana Vineyard Wish I was closer...I would bring you some wild orange and peppermint essential oils

11 hours ago · Unlike · 1
Jane Balkin Take your shoes off and plant your feet on the ground for 2 mins! Good luck!:)

11 hours ago via mobile · Unlike · 1
Susi Pecina Feel your breath, one at a time, feel the soles of your feet at each step... ground... less thinking, feel into each part of your body, where is tension, where is tingling, moment to moment.
Good luck!

11 hours ago · Unlike · 2
Stories and Children Take a big slow breathe and remind yourself that you are more than capable ... you know what you're talking about ... you have plenty of experience and a wealth of knowledge ... and these people would be blessed to have you! Then enjoy yourself in the interviews.

11 hours ago · Unlike · 2
Heather Hauser listen to music

11 hours ago · Unlike · 1
Julee Johnson When I'm nervous I sing Jeremiah Was A Bullfrog. It's silly but works for me. Good luck!

11 hours ago via mobile · Unlike · 1
Kalli Baird Xanax

11 hours ago via mobile · Unlike · 1
Jan Nichols McKenzie slow, deep breaths

11 hours ago · Unlike · 2
Claire Sawatzky Downward facing dog or reclining butterfly pose, stay breathe be present also rescue remedy, available at the chemist. All the best for your interviews!

11 hours ago via mobile · Unlike · 2
Karen Leach Rackliff I used to be on an interview committee as well as having been interviewed many times and still was nervous. I always started out by saying right off the bat "I feel so nervous!" Usually the interviewers will chuckle and tell you there is nothing to be nervous about--this always calmed me right away!

11 hours ago · Unlike · 4
Maisie Rowe Get there early and sit on a bench in the fresh air for ten minutes, emptying your mind and breathing deeply

11 hours ago via mobile · Unlike · 1
Jodi Barton Adults can play too to manage their stress

11 hours ago · Unlike · 1
Sarah Silvester Eat a banana, the potassium calms nerves x

11 hours ago via mobile · Unlike · 1
Julie Mckay Rescue remedy spray, available from chemists and health food shops, works wonders for nerves, dentist etc

11 hours ago via mobile · Unlike · 1
Julie Mckay Also, fake it. They dont know you are nervous if you can pretend not to be

11 hours ago via mobile · Unlike · 1
Gabby Clappison Good luck, you know what you have to offer, deep breaths and let them know how valuable to their workplace you will be sending you light and love

11 hours ago · Unlike · 1
Anna Miller Saw this on a NOVA brain science episode recently...Take some time before each interview to actually write down your feelings and why you think your nervous. What are you afraid of? Good luck!!

11 hours ago via mobile · Unlike · 1
Helen O'Toole Actually say out loud some of your answers. You need to hear your voice. Plus sit quietly and do calming deep breathing before you leave. Best wishes

10 hours ago via mobile · Unlike · 1
Eimear Carron Just remember how super duper you are at what you do. If that fails think of your kid/pet/etc pulling funny faces behind the interviewers!! It'll make u smile if nothing else

10 hours ago via mobile · Unlike · 1
Lisa Vreeken I agree with Karen, having been an interviewer as well as an interviewee - say how nervous you are. The interviewers are usually very sympathetic, they've all been where you are before. I always write a few things down and take them in with me. When my mind goes blank from nerves I ask if I can look at my notes and explain that when I'm nervous my mind goes blank and the notes are reminders. Your interviewers want the best person for the job and are usually happy for you to do whatever you need to. It has always worked for me.

10 hours ago · Like · 1
Candy Lawrence Try to get the nerves in proportion... remember that maybe you don't even want their job! You are interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you. Focus on what you want to know about their centre to avoid doing a frying-pan-to-fire act. Reframing often helps kill the nerves.

10 hours ago · Unlike · 2
Katerina Cosgrove Don't try to ignore the nerves. Take a minute or two and really focus on them. Immerse yourself in them, feel them completely. How do they feel in your body, heart, brain? Break it down. Be the nerves. I find that if I do this, they tend to dissipate faster. And I agree, tell the interviewers you're nervous. When we speak the unspoken, it tends to lose its power.

10 hours ago · Unlike · 1
Intentional Play I always pray.

9 hours ago · Unlike · 1
Chela Lucia Meditate for 15-20 minutes minimum. Focus on breathing slow and easy.

9 hours ago · Unlike · 1
Emma Forbes Good luck!!!!

9 hours ago via mobile · Unlike · 1
Liz Dutton breath sniff lavendar and rosemary essential oils review and be certain of your mindframe so you can speak confidently research the places you apply for and think of all the reasons why YOU would be an asset for them. go in with the attitude that they'd be LUCKY to hire YOU!

8 hours ago · Unlike · 2
Chandi Holliman Meditate before hand. Breathe in/I am out-breath PEACE. Offer everything up to be guided in what the Divine has in mind. What is best for u? Then let all go. You will be guided to what is best for u. Breath will help you ti remain peaceful. Good luck.

6 hours ago via mobile · Unlike · 2
Lindsay Marriott Rescue remedy, it is brilliant. Imagine squeezing a squash ball in your hand to a clenched fist, then slowly opening your hand while you breath deeply and slowly. One of my old swimming coaches gave me this technique when I was 12 years old and I still use it 30 years on.

2 hours ago via mobile · Unlike · 1
Astrid Algra just be yourself, and think the universe will give me what is best!

2 hours ago · Unlike · 1
Louise T Davies As you sit outside and wait to be called - Put your hands on your stomach, inhale feel your hands rise as your tummy fills, exhale feel your hands come back towards the spine. Repeat for a few moments. Shallow chest breathing will make you feel agitated, deep abdominal breathing will make you feel calm. AND GOOD LUCK

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How about you? Do you have any interview tips to share?

cooking with herbs in the pretend play kitchen

noreply@blogger.com (jenny) — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 03:48:00 +0000

It's always busy in home corner. You never quite know what's cooking.

Adding a few interesting 'real' ingredients always goes down a treat.

We headed out into our (very overgrown) herb garden to select a few of our choicest herbs.

We looked. We touched. We smelt. We tasted. We picked.

And then it was back to the kitchen for some serious cooking.

I'm always amazed at how a few simple touches can be all it takes to spark long periods of engagement.

What do you do to spice up your pretend play areas?

For more on playful gardening with children:

Monster Beans
From Plot to Pot: A Preschool Veggie Garden
Tea Anyone?
Baby Herb Garden @ Small Fry
Creating a Sensory Garden for Kids @ The Educators' Spin on it

making mud

noreply@blogger.com (jenny) — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 09:20:00 +0000

No mud?

No worries.

Make your own.

A recipe for mud

by Z, aged 4

You will need:

dirt, dug from various locations

mulch from under the swings

sand from the sandpit

grass clippings

leaves

water

Method:

mix together

using hands or feet

give it a good stomping

wiggle between your toes

The Verdict

"The best mud in the world. Even in the preschool!"

What muddy adventures have you been having lately?

a walk next door

noreply@blogger.com (jenny) — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 07:59:00 +0000

If you go down to big school today, you're in for a big surprise.

How lucky are we that just down the bushy path from preschool lies the land of adventure and surprises aka primary school.

We just never know what we will find.

Do you have a special place close by?

nature clay scultpures

noreply@blogger.com (jenny) — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 09:24:00 +0000

Natural materials - sticks, gumnuts, leafy twigs, bark and leaves - are the perfect partner for clay in a preschool classroom.

Display a selection of inviting natural materials on the table with the clay.

Even better - go on a nature hunt with the children beforehand, and let the children make their own selections and collections.

Let the children explore the delightfully sensory qualities of the clay, and experiment with different ways of using the natural materials.

I'm always amazed at what they create.

This is a bush birthday cake!

What has been out on your clay table lately?

You might also enjoy:

Nature play with clay
Nature play with clay at preschool
Irresistible Clay @ Irresistible Ideas for Play Based Learning
Clay Sculptures @ Nurture Store

we're bark-ing mad

noreply@blogger.com (jenny) — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 12:37:00 +0000

The bark on the squiggly gums is endlessly fascinating to children (I love it too).

Last week I found a group of boys pouring over a couple of pieces of bark and using the lines as a treasure map. Who would have thought it!

Now I know that you can't improve on Mother Nature, but with all of this bark lying around I thought the children might enjoy making their own version of squiggly gum.

We are no strangers to bark art. After all, nature does provide wonderful canvas' to explore.

Here are some other things we have tried:

Have you any creative experiences with natural materials to share?

nature and kids are a marvellous mix

noreply@blogger.com (jenny) — Sat, 23 Feb 2013 07:26:00 +0000

Never underestimate the power that nature has to ignite a child's curiosity, imagination and sense of wonder.

And we aren't just talking vast natural vistas here.

You don't have to travel far.

Head out into your own backyard.

Choose a preschool that offers outdoor play, all day, every day.

Feel the grass beneath your feet.

Lie under a tree and watch the leaves.

Lie on your stomach and watch the ants march by.

Collect sticks and build a house for the fairies.

Listen to the wind.

Dig for worms.

Grow some vegetables in a pot.

Go on a nature hunt around the block.

Head for the park.

Play in a puddle.

Catch the rain on your tongue.

“As a child, one has that magical capacity to move among the many eras of the earth; to see the land as an animal does; to experience the sky from the perspective of a flower or a bee; to feel the earth quiver and breathe beneath us; to know a hundred different smells of mud and listen unselfconsciously to the soughing of the trees.”

-Valerie Andrews, A Passion for this Earth

Stuck for nature play ideas? These are some of my favourite places for inspiration:

Or visit the Let the Children Play kid's nature play Pinterest Board and the Play Outside! data base.

#thedailyplay weekly roundup take 2

noreply@blogger.com (jenny) — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 01:04:00 +0000

At the beginning of February I issued you a challenge.

Capture the daily play moments in your world with a photo, and share them on Instagram at #thedailyplay or on the let the children play Facebook page (simply post your pic to the wall).

As promised, every week I will come in here and share some of your images.

This is what the 'let the children play-ers' have been up to this week:

1. Brown rice in the water table. From learnwithplayathome on Instagram #thedailyplay

2. Mud, glorious mud! From kmj84 on Instagram #thedailyplay

3. Fresh green playdough is very popular today. From athomewithali on Instagram #thedailyplay

4. Pudding finger painting. From and707 on Instagram #thedailyplay

1. Down the back today at our house. From Suzanne via facebook.

2. Climbing large trees on hike Carkeek Park Seattle, Washington Fun. From Chandi via Facebook

3. Pudding finger painting. From and707 on Instagram #thedailyplay

To see all of the playful pics so far this February, hop on over to:

#thedailyplay on Instagram
#thedailyplay photo album on facebook.

It's not to late to join the fun. Post your daily play pictures on the facebook wall or instagram and discover a new community of people celebrating play in the lives of children.

And in other Instagram news, here are a few fab play communities that I've discovered as I dabble:

#playmatters
#invitationtoplay
#creativetable

What about you? Do you have any favorite Instagram haunts?

3 top places for outdoor play ideas

noreply@blogger.com (jenny) — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 23:34:00 +0000

Children doing your head in?

Head outside to play.

So many of the behaviour management challenges that we experience either at home or in an early childhood setting fade away if we "take away the walls."

Stuck for ideas on what to do once you head out the door?

Here are some places to go for oodles of outdoor play inspiration, whether it is your backyard, the park, your local bushland or the preschool playground:

1. Play Outside!

With over 500 play categorised into age and play categories, Play Outside! is an ever expanding data base of unique outdoor play and learning resources, tips, tools, blogs and ideas gathered together from around the blogosphere.

Whether you are a preschool teacher, parent, grandparent or caregiver you will find everything from sand play and gardening ideas to building and creative experiences - and so much more in between.

2. Pinterest

Click on the image to take you to my favorite places for outdoor play inspiration on Pinterest.

3. Outdoor Play Linky

Bought to you by the fabulous Kitchen Counter Chronicles, Flights of Whimsy, Learning for Life and The Golden Gleam and Making Boys Men, this is a link up that celebrates outdoor play. Join in with your own ideas, or find inspiration from the ideas of others.

So what are you waiting for? Head outside to play!

Do you have a place you go to find outdoor play ideas? I'd love you to share them in the comments.

it's all about caring

noreply@blogger.com (jenny) — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 23:32:00 +0000

Caring.

Looking after themselves.

Looking after each other.

Caring for the chickens.

Taking care of their preschool.

Feeding the worms.

Watering the plants.

Putting their rubbish in the bin.

Packing away the blocks.

When we find ways to support children in caring for themselves, their surroundings and the people in it they learn to participate fully and actively in society and develop that all important sense of belonging to a community.

It's the simple things. The tasks and interactions that occur on a daily basis and are immediately significant and meaningful to the children's time at preschool.

It's cleaning the easel.

Or washing the slide.

It's arranging flowers in a vase.

And doing the washing up after we make play dough.

It's helping a friend solve a tricky problem.

Or spending time in the local natural environment.

It's folding the washing.

Or washing the vegetables picked from the garden.

In preschool - as in life - it is the little things that are the big things.

You might also enjoy:

it's all about relationships