29.6.14

TwentySix | FiftyTwo



A portrait of my little ones; once a week, every week, in 2014

Sage - bed hair and bird watching

Alby - a picture tells a thousand words... you are this content and this happy almost every second of every day


{The 52 Project, inspired by the lovely Jodi}

26.6.14

Play-Based Learning at Home [ FARMYARD ]


Throughout my time as an early childhood teacher, my programming and planning was founded upon the well-known practice and evidence-based principles of 'play-based learning'. Lately, whilst observing and documenting Sage 'at play',  I recognised that it was time to emulate some of these practices and principles in our own home environment. Her flittings to and from task to toy, with no real sense of purpose, would ultimately result in her becoming frustrated and overwhelmed - evidenced by the chaos left in her wake. 

In our playroom, we decided to remove many of the toys she previously had unlimited access to, in order to foster both physical and mental space. Some were squirreled away in the attic to be reintroduced in weeks or months to come, whereas others were simply placed out of reach, to be brought down at specific, negotiated times. In their place, we established a small 'investigation' area - both to encourage deeper focus and direction during play and to instill engagement for longer, more meaningful periods of time. 

A 'farmyard' experience was created, based on Sage's ignited interest in farms and their animals {due to visiting the animal nursery when the annual show came to town, and feeding the cows on a recent outing to a friend's farm} to ensure the 'investigation' was relatable, relevant and authentic. Pivotal to the space are its elements - mindfully chosen to inspire dramatic play, facilitate sensory development and aide hypothesising and problem solving skills through construction. Puzzles, games and fine motor activities are also featured, as are quality, print-rich resources {including both fiction and non-fiction texts}.

Amongst the images below, I have complied a list of the books we have been reading and the resources used to create this space {all of which I already owned from my days teaching Kindergarten}. Our farmyard investigation will remain for a few weeks and once Sage's fascination begins to wane we will create a fresh space based on her interests, understandings and ponderings at the time... {and no, it does not stay this tidy for long!} 











Farmyard Reading

     FICTION TEXTS
     Families  by Alison Jay
     I Went Walking  by Sue Machin
     My Farm  by Alison Lester
     Mrs Wishy Washy  by Joy Cowley
     Who Said Moo?  by Harriet Ziefert
     Noisy Farm  by Rod Campbell
     The Very Busy Spider  by Eric Carle
     You Are My Baby  by Lorena Siminovich
     Old MacDonald Had a Farm  by Wendy Straw
     A Year on Our Farm  by Penny Matthews and Andrew McLean
     What the Ladybird Heard  by Julia Donaldson

     NON-FICTION TEXTS
     At the Farm  by Judith Heneghan
     Chick Life Cycle  by Elizabeth Bennett
     Animals on the Farm  by Elizabeth de Lambilly
     Mighty Movers Farm  by Hinkler Books
     My First Book of Farm Animals  by Miranda Smith
     Down on the Farm Series  by Hannah Ray
     Farmyard Friends Series  by Camilla de la Bedoyere








Farmyard Resources

     Farm animals {here}
     Large beech tree {here}
     Small mopane tree {here}
     Wooden fences {here}
     Wooden trees {here}
     Rabbit hutch {here}
     Garden accessories {purchased instore, unable to find link}
     Word labels {here - printed and laminated}
     Cork board and hammer set {here}
     'At the Farm' puzzles - set of four {here}
     3D 'Duck and Friends' puzzle {here}
     Tractor, grass material, baskets and bowls {op shop purchases}
     Pond {cut from scrap felt}
     Animal feed {pearl barley from the pantry}





22.6.14

TwentyFive | FiftyTwo



A portrait of my little ones; once a week, every week, in 2014

Sage - we bathed Alby together in front of the wood fire and once he was done, you hopped in and stayed for hours.

Alby -  you're the light of our lives, little man. There is no sweeter sound than your hearty giggles.


{The 52 Project, inspired by the lovely Jodi}

15.6.14

TwentyFour | FiftyTwo



A portrait of my little ones; once a week, every week, in 2014

Sage - you've started reading on your own - making up words and recalling mine, as you turn each page, one by one.

Alby - your first time in the Bumbo and you were oh, SO proud!


{The 52 Project, inspired by the lovely Jodi}

12.6.14

the THIS list ~ June



        ||  eating this

        ||  admiring this

        ||  smelling this

        ||  considering this

        ||  joining this

        ||  inspired by this

        ||  perusing this

        ||  fancying this {and this}

        ||  watching this

        ||  wearing this

        ||  anticipating this

        ||  recreating this

        ||  following this

        ||  waiting for this

        ||  coveting this

        ||  dreaming of this

        ||  giving away this {on Instagram - @fieldsofsage - now!}




        { the THIS list - recording my monthly musings, simply }

8.6.14

TwentyThree | FiftyTwo

 

A portrait of my little ones; once a week, every week, in 2014
 
Sage - examining winter's wonders in our front garden
 
Alby - we have delayed your experience of "tummy time" til now {aged 3 months} - a decision based on readings such as this {the video included is a must-watch}.

You now have the strength to roll back over on your own when you've decided that you have had enough - AND you are oh so proud of yourself!

{P.S. those nose creases get me every time...}


{The 52 Project, inspired by the lovely Jodi}

7.6.14

a pregnancy | Angie

 
Around this time last year, as the air began to cool and the leaves began to fall, I photographed the stunningly beautiful Angie and her perfectly rounding belly, as she anticipated the arrival of her firstborn. Since then, she and her husband Mathew have embraced their darling son Leo as if there were never a time before him. Soon I will capture their story as a family of three, but for now, here's a little look back to a time when Leo was cocooned inside from this big, wide world...