From All Angles

In with the new

A new space and new children means spending time getting to know those things as well as I can before trying to implement anything.  I have been watching children draw and write - it always seems to give me a lot of information.  We'll keep doing this in the coming days, using new surfaces and materials.

fairy houses

This is beautiful - it is such a personal look into the imaginative play of children.  I'm finding lots of interesting links from little creatures films.

When working with little or no budget, the public library and the recycling bin become a preschool teacher's best friends.  Understanding how to source materials for free is important; and those materials can often become a valuable part of the classroom.  It looks like my constant goal to use simple materials may take a step forward this year.

I may have to splurge for my own copy of Beautiful Stuff for a bit more inspiration!

Transitioning

I am transitioning into a new position in my work - in reality, it is a position I have had before, but I am definitely rediscovering it.

I am working in a place that meshes day care and preschool - children from six months to five years are served in three classrooms.  Staff work across rooms, getting to know all of the children.  I'll have the pleasure of working with the preschoolers, and I am looking forward to a new kind of setting.

The job will bring its challenges, as any job does, and it is really important to approach those as learning experiences.  Reflection will continue to be important this year, as I find myself in new surroundings with different ideas and spaces and people.  I'm looking forward to it.

wooden track mind

This blog, wooden track mind, is kind of blowing my mind.  What great documentation for these kids!  I feel like there are so many things that a parent could document like this for their child to reflect on, from paintings to block building and more.  The shapes that are created by these train sets are really appealing!

via wee saw

a friendly wolf

"But I'm a friendly wolf...That's the kind you can pet.  They're very nice to be."

from Mollie is Three by Vivian Gussin Paley

Pop-Up Adventure Playgrounds

I think I just spent the past 5 minutes staring at the computer screen with my mouth open, amazed that I was looking at something that I think I have had inside of my head for a year.  Pop-up play.  Totally brilliant.

The term "Pop-Up Adventure Playground" is a term that is free for anyone to use, as long as they are working within the principles and beliefs of the meaning.  the idea is to remove barriers to child-led free play, inspired by the principles of playwork in the UK.

I read about this via let the children play - always a great source for information.  Her post will give more information about similar initiatives in the UK and Australia.

I'm buzzing with ideas about how this can work where I am.  Have you ever seen anything like this?