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bossyhill
Member since 29-5-2007

We have been asked by an EY specialist to provide children with interesting independent activities using more unusual materials to stimulate them. Our topic is shopping and money- any bright ideas? Please and thank you!

Posted 12-2-2008 8:01

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peatles
Member since 27-2-2004

Why not set up some dry collage things for them to use, skeleton leaves, fir cones and that sort of stuff, they can take a photo and then put the things away. I am aiming to try some of this this term, just so much to do! How about using coins to fit in with money and shopping.
Cutting food/ shopping things out of catalogues?

Posted 12-2-2008 8:06

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cinderella1
Member since 4-1-2004

Remember not everything has to link to your topic, you can have areas to encourage curiosty and investigation that don't.

Some of the things we have out in KUD area are:
magnets and a variety of man made and natural objects for children to explore

natural objects from under the ocean, from the beach

natural objects from the dry land, vareity of bulbs, different soils, sands........

vareity of wooden fruit from African countries, I got these for a pound from TK Max.

unusual musical instruments from different countries

bark, and other vareitys of fallen wood, ask parents to look out for a fallen birds nest.

concave mirrors etc...
goggle treasure baskets.......... you can make a few and these can then be put into your area for exploring

Posted 12-2-2008 11:22

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notmusical
Member since 6-7-2007

Could you make your home corner into a garden centre, hence getting unusual things in this way?

Posted 12-2-2008 11:37

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may day
Member since 9-6-2006

as above what about a craft shop? lots of resources as mentioned plus writing/drawing things and lots of types of paper, great writing ops advertising craft shows/workshops/wanted ads etc and you can put any kind of junk in. It could be a junk shop infact. I read somewhere about a 'theory of loose parts' (Could be by a Fraser Brown?)where the more bits of junk kids have to play with the more creative they become and that has always been my experience. An old sunflower head kept quite a few of my reception busy all afternoon, deseeding and pulling to bits to see how it was made. the while thing sounds quite exciting and if the weather improves you could have an outside craft area too for sculpture/model making. Great for mothers day ideas too. Good luck!

Posted 12-2-2008 12:06

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may day
Member since 9-6-2006

whole not while!!typing too fast.

Posted 12-2-2008 12:07

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julia pearl
Member since 4-7-2005

Any deconstruction. We call it the 'tinkering table'. Get ina couple of old computers, dvd players, etc to pull apart
Our old computer was a winner and the kids cheered when one part which stubbornly refused to be unscrewed miraculously came out.

Posted 12-2-2008 12:44

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bossyhill
Member since 29-5-2007

fantastic ideas thank you so much!

Posted 12-2-2008 19:20

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xxbutterflyxx
Member since 28-9-2011

Hi, just thinking about starting a tinkering table, any advice??

Posted 10-5-2012 19:11

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upsadaisy
Member since 6-7-2004

Try seeing if your local area has a wrap or recycling project. Great places to find interesting odd bits.

Posted 10-5-2012 20:16

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sandyjohn
Member since 4-5-2002

I have just bought a wonderful blow torch I saw in the charity shop it is brass with levers etc and I am going to put it on the coffee table by our talk sofa!

Posted 10-5-2012 21:54

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blue3
Member since 21-4-2006

Ive asked parents and staff for unwanted old coins from different countries. Great opportunities for looking at numbers on the coins, pictures and language. Just an idea.

Posted 11-5-2012 6:57

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VikkiP
Member since 15-12-2008

love that idea- my kids would have a field day! Thanks

Posted 11-5-2012 18:59

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