Play-Based Learning at Home [ FAIRY GARDEN ]

As hoped, since the lessening and mindful selection of items in Sage's play space, we've noticed a dramatic reduction to the disorder in our home and a significant calm during her solitary play experiences. Initially we were apprehensive to remove many of her toys for fear of boredom {not only hers, but our own!} however we've found the opposite to be true. With less to play with, the more engaged she became with the items on offer. 

Following my previous play-based post, we've refined our choices even further. Our playroom now has three defined zones - a 'home corner' {consisting of a sink, a fridge and a doll's bed}, an easily accessible shelf {containing jigsaw puzzles, blocks, wooden sets and loose parts} and finally her 'investigation area', which we've recently transformed from a farmyard setting to a fairy garden... 

Fairy Garden Reading

FAIRY STORIES

Children of the Forest by Elsa Beskow

Lily and the Fairy House  by Jane Tanner
Fairy Woodland  by Jake Jackson

Princess and Fairy by Anna Pignataro

1001 Things to Spot in Fairyland by Usborne

Flower Fairies Series by Cicely Mary Barker

Fairies: A Magical Guide to the Enchanted Realm by Alison Maloney

MINI BOOKS

Mouse Fairies by Michelle Cartlidge

Baby Mouse by Michelle Cartlidge

Little Book of Birthdays by Emma Thomson

Slinky Malinki Series by Lynley Dodd

Imagine by Alison Lester

Magic Beach by Alison Lester

And many titles by Eric Carle

Fairy Garden Resources

Fairy lodge {here}
Fairy lodge furniture {here}
Large pine tree {here}
Small fir tree {here}
Small mopane tree {here}
Four forest gnomes {here}
Three finger fairies {here}
Three wooden fairies {here}
Brown moss bunnies {here}
Teepee cones {here} - I purchased mine individually from here and cut the front holes
Toadstool garland {here}
Worry dolls {here}
Glitter wands {similar here}
Leaf canopy {here}
Treasure bags {here}
Play silks {here}
Pencils {here}
Other items purchased in store, from op shops or foraged from nature

{No new items were purchased for this investigation - all have been collected over my years as an early childhood educator}. 

A lovely reader recently asked if I could share the books I have found most useful when researching early play and education. Amongst the masses, these are my favourites:

Play Matters  by Kathy Walker
Designs for Living and Learning  by Deb Curtis and Margie Carter
Learning Together with Young Children  by Deb Curtis and Margie Carter
Inspiring Spaces for Young Children  by Jessica DeViney
Beautiful Stuff: Learning with Found Materials  by Cathy Weisman Topal
Natural Playscapes  by Rusty Keeler

Pinterest is also an incredible source for play space ideas.

Thirty | FiftyTwo

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

Sage - off to a birthday party, looking sweet-as-sugar
                   wearing this darling vintage dress and these perfectly transeasonal moccasins {with soles made from recycled aeroplane tyres - yes, really!}

Alby - despite the overt girliness of your sister's old platmat, you don't mind one little bit

{The 52 project, inspired by the lovely Jodi}

Alby // 4 Months

Sweet Alby, I write this update as you are spread across my lap, feeding for the umpteenth time today - such is life during the post-immunisation lull. As I glance down, I marvel at how much you've grown in these past two months. You are SO long and so big now, that it's difficult to comprehend that you arrived into this world only four short months ago. While we are nestled together in this rare moment of still, I let my eyes wash over you - soaking all of you in - knowing that your sister will career through the door at any given second, demanding endless kisses and cuddles!

I clasp your dimpled fingers between mine and caress your deliciously soft wrist rolls. Gently, I trace your barely-there eyebrows with my fingertip and fashion you the mini-est of mohawks with the very little hair gracing the top of your head. Your navy, skateboard-adorned t-shirt {a hand-me-down from sweet Owen} makes me smile, if only for it's complete and unmistakable boyishness. The remnants of banana embellishing your pants are a telling sign of your already rampant appetite and despite the fact that I am most certainly not ready for you to begin your 'eating' journey, you seem to have other ideas.

Despite only just waking from your afternoon nap, your eyes are now closed once again. With your tiny hand clutching my chest and your breaths becoming long and steady, I will savor every second of this sweet, sleepy you.





{Alby at 2 months}

TwentyNine | FiftyTwo

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

Sage - ringlets and rowdiness

Alby - smiles and sunshine

{Simon - fatherly hands and a favourite jumper!}

{The 52 Project, inspired by the lovely Jodi}

The 'Fields of Sage' App Icon is Here!

If you're anything like me, gone are the days of leisurely perusing blog after inspiring blog during a quiet morning break {where the drinks were always hot and the food was never shared}. Now, as a time-poor mama of two littles, quick and easy access to the things I use most often, is essential. Which is why I have created a sweet little icon for my phone and iPad, which instantly takes me here, to the blog, in one fell swoop. And, if you are a regular 'Fields' reader {bless you!} and would like to add this icon to your device as well - it's SO easy! Here's how it's done...

Step One - Open 'Fields of Sage' in your phone/tablet web browser. At the bottom of your screen you will see some mini icons as in the photo above {if not just scroll your finger downwards and they should appear}. Click the 'share' icon {shown here with the arrow symbol}.

Step Two - Click on the "Add to Home Screen" icon

Step Three - Click "Add"...   that's all there is to it!! 

Here's how it looks on my phone {and should look on yours too}...

So now you can read away while in line at the checkout, during a five/fifty minute breastfeeding session or as the kettle boils, without any of the fuss, because, as women, we know that  every.  second.  counts!  While you're at it, bookmark some of your other favourite reads too. {I often pop by here, here and here. Oh and here and here!}

{If you're a blogger and would like to create a pretty icon of your very own, I followed the tutorial here} 

TwentyEight | FiftyTwo

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

Sage - a reflective moment in the ball pit

Alby - making new friends

{The 52 Project, inspired by the lovely Jodi}

the THIS list ~ July

        ||  making this

        ||  watching this

        ||  pining over this

        ||  mesmerised by this

        ||  reading this

        ||  following this {featuring another little Sage}

        ||  gifting this

        ||  swearing by this {and this}

        ||  visiting this

        ||  shedding tears over this

        ||  envisaging this

        ||  remembering this

        ||  swooning over this

        ||  honoured by this

        ||  saving for this

        ||  daydreaming about this

        ||  hopeful for this


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

TwentySeven | FiftyTwo

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

Sage - everyday you've been climbing into bed to read and there is nothing I love more {however, I am OVER 'Hairy Maclary'!}

Alby - my mysterious little moonflower, peeking from your cocoon

{The 52 Project, inspired by the lovely Jodi}

Baby, It's Cold Outside! | Little Luxuries

this is a sponsored post for Target

With the peak of winter upon us, as Daddy reluctantly heads off to work each day, we've been spending more and more time in front of the blazing fire with the doors of our home shut tight. Collecting the wood and stoking the coals is a ritual we happily share. While the temperature outside barely reaches double figures, we've been filling our days with puzzles and cubbies and make-believe and satisfying our bellies with hearty, comfort food upon nightfall. The snugness of wool-lined moccasins is too much for icy toes to resist, as is the lure of a hot water bottle and an early bed-time.

Rarely do we venture outdoors through the day - only if necessity strikes - and even then, we scurry along, reluctantly avoiding our usual explorations and natterings along the way. As we walk, I've come to notice the deepest scents of the earth emerging after rainfall and the grass at each of the homes we pass, transforming to a luminous green. Upon homecoming, Sage's flushed cheeks are endlessly kissed and Alby's rosy nose nuzzles in close.

Through the depths of this season, the need for layer upon layer of toasty clothing is inescapable - especially for little ones, who are more vulnerable to winter's chilly grasp. Soft cotton singlets, wool-infused thermals and the thickest of socks do wonders, warming from the outside in. But for those sweet outer layers, the ones that meld cuteness with snugness and practicality with comfort, here are some cosy winter time finds for your littlest ones, from Target...

Winter time layers for little girls...

one:  mockingbird knit cardigan  //  mockingbird knit dress  //  mockingbird knit pants  //  gabrielle bow shoes

two:  folkloric resort chambray dress  //  mockingbird floral knit top  //  diamond print pants  //  treasure shoes

three:  knit cardigan  //  catriona rowntree lamb knit jumper  //  floral leggings  //  my first volley shoes

Charlotte wears white quilted jacket  {available in-store}  //  metallic striped leggings

Charlotte wears knit cardigan  //  'merci' long sleeved tee  //  glitter leggings {available in-store}

Charlotte wears everyday knit cardigan  //  blue floral leggings  {available in-store}

 Winter time layers for little boys...

one:  catriona rowntree sherpa jacket  //  catriona rowntree tractor knit  //  catriona rowntree cord pants  //  trevor shoes

two:  quilted zip up jacket  //  mockingbird knit top  //  print leggings  //  truman shoes

three:  mockingbird knit hat  //  traveller bon voyage jumper  //  stretch chino pants  //  my first volley shoes

Alby wears Geo Indian two piece set {available in-store}

Alby wears north sea star striped sweater  //  raglan sleeve tee //  stretch chino pants

Alby wears vintage garage cars print top  //  vintage garage relaxed pants

{A special thanks to my dear friend Mel for allowing me to photograph her darling Charlotte}