31.7.14

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.


6 comments:

  1. It looks wonderful Anna. Sage must love playing here. I can see why it engages her so well.x

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  2. Yes it does look lovely but also quite expensive.

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  3. Gorgeous as always, Anna. Thanks for sharing where to find things. I've seen that leaf canopy used in many play spaces but had no idea where it was from :-)

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  4. I really like your take on the issue. I now have a clear idea on what this matter is all about.. garden plans

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  6. The first factor that ought to be done is to decide on n applicable location for the garden. A location that's topographically correct should be thought of. There ought to be a well organized reference to water.

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Your comments brighten my day, thank you!