Peg People

As it is the start of the school year, I have had a few children that have been a bit upset and have taken a while to settle into a full day program. I wanted them to be able to make something fun in the morning that they could play with throughout the day and also take home to play with.

I came up with the idea of little peg people.

This activity involved collage, drawing, counting, colouring, lots of language, playing and FUN!!! 

They loved them.

I used very simple collage as it is the start of the year and the children in my class are only 3 years old.

They glued a head to the body, added some clothes and drew on a face.

Next we put them through the laminator for durability.

Then the children counted their peg arms and legs.

We helped them complete their little people by adding some hair, some ribbons and they coloured some shoes.

In their block home...

In their beds....

I think they are pretty cute and they children absolutely loved them.

Keep this activity in mind when you are looking for simple- start of the year activities with your little ones.

Niccola

Keeping It Simple!

I try to provide a program that encourages the children to be creative, innovative and imaginative. I like them to think and challenge themselves in the classroom and I provide them with materials that are open-ended to promote this.

Here is a simple playdough activity that the children enjoyed exploring and learning while playing.

You would be surprised how long the children played with this selection of materials and how creative they were.

Sometimes the simpler the better!!

Niccola

Creating A Fairy Garden

Over the years we have made various fairy gardens for the children to play in or with in our playground and inside the classroom. Mostly, we have used fairy sized things and they get lost!!! 

When planning our playground, we had to take into consideration that we have three classes of children using it, who range in ages and abilities.  We need to have equipment that caters for the children's needs, interests and ages and we try to incorporate loose parts that are versatile.

Here is a fairy garden that is kid size, versatile, robust, interesting and easy and inexpensive to make.

We started with some tree cookie stumps for fairy seats.

An old electrical cable for a fairy table.

A little red and white paint.

A cute little fairy garden for all to enjoy!!

Try some fairy magic in your garden.

Niccola

Quick and Easy Magic Bag

We are back at school after a beautiful long holiday, refreshed and recharged and ready to go.

I have been busy working on our natural play area for a large part of the holidays, trying to write my book and preparing for a second teaching job......busy, busy but a lot of fun!!

I have made new labels, birthday charts (check it out here), badges, playdough and a very simple magic bag.

I thought I would share the magic bag tutorial as it is quick to make and a very useful teaching resource for the start of the year. I hide toys, books, puppets...really anything in the magic bag, do a quick magic spell and voila- you have every child interested and paying attention.

This is perfect if you cannot sew or are short of time.

1. Buy a plain calico shopping bag. (These are around $1)

2. I painted mine but you could leave it plain to save time.

3. Cut out some stars, circles, lightening bolts or any simple shapes.

4. Iron some adhesive paper to the back, put in position and iron to attach.

5. Add a little glitter glue for some extra sparkle and I added some pom poms!

    You could also tie on some bells or ribbons. Get creative!!!

Goodluck if you are starting back at school this week!

Niccola