Creating Playful Spaces: Invitations to Engage, Discover, and Learn
child-size binoculars | magnifying glass | collection jar | bug catcher
How Things Work In The Yard by Lisa Campbell Ernst
I am a HUGE believer that the physical environment plays a powerful role in the behavior of children. In both the Playful Learning Spaces eCourse and the Playful Learning 101 miniCourse, I go in-depth about how the presentation of simple invitations can inspire children to engage in meaningful activities.
What I love about creating these invitations is that they are easy (you don’t have to tackle that scary closet) and you can use materials and activities that you already have on hand. It helps to think of these invitations as a way to highlight your child’s underused supplies, games or toys. It is amazing how putting together a few thoughtfully selected items on/in a tray, bin, or basket can reawaken a child’s interest.
And, here comes the best part, all you have to do is leave them out for your child to discover. You don’t have to say a thing!
Here are some of our most recent invitations:
Invitation to discover a new art material…
slate chalkboard | blackboard chalk | eraser
Invitation to identify our summer collection of sea shells…
shell collection | magnifying glass | shell guide
Invitation to explore light and shadows…
Invitation to write a graphic novel…
blank comic book | comic template
Art Panels, BAM! Speech Bubbles, POW!: Writing Your Own Graphic Novel by Trisha Sue Speed Shaskan
Invitation to hunt for animal tracks…
animal track fundana | child-size binoculars | magnifying glass
Invitation to sculpt…
Invitation to weave…
Mariah
@playfullearning
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Drawing graphic novels is BIG in our home right now as well. I think I’m going to have to get some of those supplies!?!
Thanks for your wonderful ideas Mariah!
~ joey ~
Hi Joey – I agree, creating a graphic novel is such a fun way to nurture a love of writing!
I just discovered these fun printables!
)
http://donnayoung.org/art/comics.htm
~ joey ~
Great resource Joey—thank you!
Awesome ideas! I’m putting some of these together for my homeschoolers this week, for sure. Thank you!
Wonderful!
Such lovely presentations, *I’m* inspired to make some of these! We try to have rotating baskets of items in our school room, but sometimes I find that since it houses all of our items (we have built in shelves under a ledge that is the length of our sunroom and is also where we eat at the table) things can get ‘lost’, even if I try to keep it clutter free. Do you put all of these little trays in areas around the house, or are these more ‘one at a time’ things in one specific spot?
Sarah M
Hi Sarah – I also use baskets for storage and creating “nooks” around the house. I agree with you, I think even with simple baskets, things can get “lost.” I love that trays confine you to only a few materials or objects. I keep all of the trays in a big shelf in the atelier. I rotate them often, and sometimes will take two out and leave them on the coffee coffee table. I would love to hear how it goes…
I love the presentation – so simple, uncluttered & inviting. Can you tell us where you found the trays?
Thanks Laura! I bought this 3 piece wooden tray set: http://www.alisonsmontessori.com/3_Piece_Wooden_Tray_Set_p/mt01.htm
These are wonderful ideas and just the dose of inspiration I needed this morning. I find with the crazy, back-to-school schedule of August and September, the focus shifts outside our home. It’s a great reminder to keep things fresh here and provide some inspiring activities at home that encourage my girls to engage in their passions and try some new activities. It still amazes me how a beautiful, simple presentation can be so inviting. I want to jump in and take advantage of those invitations! Thank you for sharing your ideas, Mariah.
Love the inspiration here! Such a great way of looking at learning, being ‘invited’, just right. I’m going to try doing some tray activities for the boys, I’m sure they’d love it!
Love, love, love these ideas! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Nicole! I hope all is well with you and your lovely family…
I have a 2 year old who woke up from his nap and we’ve played and read and he’s a bit at loose ends this afternoon. I saw this post while taking a little break to catch up on blogposts and was able to immediately lay my hands on two slate boards that were tied together with jute and a neat container of colored and white chalk. I placed it in an area that would be an easy workspace for him and he saw me carrying the colorful chalk and followed right behind, said “thank you” and got right down to it. I’m not sure he’s ever drawn on a chalkboard before. Thank you for the inspiration and the super accessible idea! Kelly
Hi Kelly, thank you so much for sharing your lovely story—it made my day!
[...] post: invitations for your children to engage, discover and learn through play (Playful [...]
Brilliant post. I’m always inspired and in awe at each of your posts.
Thanks Rachel!
[...] of course I had to leave out a little invitation for the girls, to explore the names of the leaves they displayed at their own [...]
[...] 4. Set out supplies and toys for discovery. Provide a 4-5 items for play and creating on a table for your child to explore. It could be things to sort, things to build with play-dough, things to paint, or things from nature. See an example of tabletop loose parts on No Time for Flashcards and invitations to engage at Playful Learning. [...]