To encourage children to explore some different painting techniques in your outdoor space, there is nothing more engaging than being able to make your own paint. That can be as simple as mud paint (more of that tomorrow) or you can try making berry paint. Berries are in abundance at this time of the year and obviously not all of them are safe for children to work with. So, you would always check the berries you are using and have the conversation with the children about how some berries can be dangerous. I stuck to using familiar berries like raspberries, blackberries and blueberries. You need to be able to extract the juice from the berries (the fun bit), so you … Read More
Texture Kitchen – Clay Station
There is no end to the variety of ‘textures’ that you can explore in your texture kitchen. Whilst we are all probably very used to adding mud and sand, other materials like dough and clay can really extend the learning possibilities. If you created an outdoor dough making station, then children can not only experiment with creating the ‘ideal’ consistency for their dough, they can also add lots of ‘stuff’ to it – like grass, petals and stones etc. Outdoor Ice cream dough making station Children can also use their dough for pattern making on and around natural resources. Grove Street Primary Another enhancement that also offers lots of potential is clay. By its very composition, clay will add more … Read More
Self Service Dough Area!
Every Tuesday on my Instagram account (abcdoes) I invite an Early Years Practitioner or setting to take over my page for #TakeOverTuesday. I have had takeovers from all over the World that have shown a huge range of Early Years provision. Pop over any Tuesday and have a look for a bit of interest and inspiration! This week on #TakeOverTuesday, it was the turn of Laura and her team from Yarm School in the North East of England. As part of her takeover she posted some photos of their self service dough station, which she had made after reading one of my blog post. Her takeover photos got a lot of likes and interest, so I thought I would share … Read More
A Key Stage 2 Teacher in the Early Years.
This week I have a guest blog post from Kirsty Cooper who is the Headteacher of Grayrigg CE Primary School and also teaches in Key-Stage 2 …I will let her explain… A Key-Stage 2 teacher in the Early Years. First of all, I should tell you all a little about my school. We’re a small (but growing) school on the outskirts of Kendal, not far from the Lake District, in a very beautiful location. I’m the Head Teacher but have a 0.7 teaching commitment, which basically means I teach every morning and two afternoons. I actually teach the KS2 class which we know as the Oaks – so why am I writing a guest blog for the lovely Alistair? The … Read More