First Play Tray - Birds

Last week I created a play tray for my grand daughter.

It was her first and I decided to make one about birds because her dad likes birds and shares that interest with her.

I kept it simple with pieces of wood and little, plastic bird figurines.

She liked the birds, especially when she heard me make bird noises.

But she showed more interest in the pieces of wood.

I involved myself a bit into her play here and incorporated the wood pieces and birds together.

She became more interested in the birds. 

Taking a good look at each of them.

She even made some of them fly around.

The next day I placed some dried moss in the bin to add a new texture.

I had found it when walking in the woods and

I thought it looked like a birds nest.

We continue our interests in birds when we go out for a walk.

So far we have heard a few different birds but have only seen crows.

She is learning to say "caa, caa".

SaveSave

Cups and Beads

I was given these coloured plastic cups so I put them on a table 

curious what, if anything, the children would do with them.

It didn't take long before they were being pulled apart 

then restacked.

Then I notice this family had added a container of wooden

beads that were handy on the shelf beside them.

The child matched one bead into each cup.

Soon others were using the beads with the cups too.

 I love getting ideas from the families that attend

so at the end of the morning I left the beads out with the cups.

 I was able to observe children stretch the play

and find a way to make it a fun learning experience for themselves.

I couldn't have planned these activities as well as the children

created them.

Did you notice that all the children were toddlers?

A Bit of Styrofoam

A parent gave me several long sheets of styrofoam

so I covered a table with them.

 I dug into my cupboard and fun tooth picks

and appy sticks, like umbrellas.

The children loved poking the sticks into the foam.

 I worried how safe it would be with toddlers

but they amazed me with their curiosity and focus.

 It was fun to see the different ways and places they put the sticks;

making patterns and designs.

 Then the umbrellas stirred their interest.

How do they open?

 Do they smell like flowers?

They look like trees.

One day I noticed a family added some buttons to the table.

So it inspired me to look for other items that would work.

 

Love it when you can use recycled materials to create games and learning.

Carpet Toys

Trying different toys for carpet play.