Story Stones and more

Use blocks

 How many times have you had to go to training when you really didn't feel like it? Lets face it after working all day who wants to go outside of a night in the cold especially a week night?
I for one want to snuggle up in my flannies, dressing gown and slippers with a cuppa and my crocheting. However I squeezed myself into jeans to look reasonably presentable, trudged to the car, stopped off at a servo for a coffee and turned up at the training on the value of Story Stones.

Stones to go with favourite books


And I'm glad I did. It was fantastic, inspiring, fun, but most of all I was able to meet, laugh and enjoy adult company which I might add I lack considerably due to being a Family Day Care Educator.
The presenters put so much effort into setting up examples that you couldn't help but be inspired and excited to try your hand at making them yourself.
Of course me being me had to take photos of all the displays and asked if I could put them on my Face Book page which they gave their permission. So now I am sharing here in the hope they will inspire you too.
The idea is to use natural, recycled, offcuts or just about anything to make props for children to create stories. The ideas are endless.
I am not saying too much more about them as I will let the photos tell the story.


Symbols tell amazing stories

I will add the most exciting part of the night was at the end we could buy a mystery box. The boxes were taped up so we had no idea what was in them only that they contained items we could use to make our own Story Stones. I bought four boxes. I was like a kid choosing a lucky dip at the show.
Feeling very inspired now to create a variety of Story Stones but I must remember they are for the children, they are for the children, they are for the children.


Human bodies - all shapes and sizes



Use wooden cookies




My favourite- Space

Dinosaur world

Small world



Rock people

Use coasters from the Op Shop

Coasters again with pictures glued on

Mystery boxes

From Slip mat to Play mat

I am always looking for something quick and easy to create especially if it's re-purposing something.
This is an easy project if you can crochet or not. As you can see I did crochet this particular mat but you could easily make it by weaving the wool through the squares.
The idea is to make a play mat with a particular scene on it. This one is for 'Under the sea' but I can visualise an array of different mats including 'Outback Australia', Jungle, Forrest, Fairy Garden, Space, and a 'Winter Wonderland'. The possibilities are endless.
Use your own imagination. 


First you need to purchase a non-slip mat that they use under rugs. They are cheap as chips to buy and are rubbery and flexible. I found them at POCO for $6.00 each.
Then you need to decide what scene you want to make. If you are not confident to just create as you  are going along you can draw the scene on the mat first using a black marker (hint: put paper under it otherwise you will have your little scene depicted in dots on the floor or table).
Select the colours that relate to your theme. As mine was 'Under the sea' I went with colours relating to that from the sand to the water.


Folds up easily for storage

If you are crocheting it is really easy to do. Using double stitch just go into each square and secure the stitch to the top of the square just like you would on normal crochet work and work along the row. You cannot make a mistake. Change colours where you have decided the scene needs it. For example I used several colours for the sand just to give it texture as sand isn't always the same colour. Also for the water I made sure as my work grew the colours darkened to represent depth.


Underneath the finished play mat

Finish off by crocheting right around the outside to give it strength and so it sits flat.
Just to add to the look I chain stitched waves on top of the already finished piece.

You now have a durable non-slip play mat.
Now to start the 'Australian Outback' which is four times the size :)


'Under the Sea'

Jewels

I often walk around the markets drinking coffee and chatting to stall holders and something will catch my eye. This particular day I was with a friend and a lonely little cardboard box was on the ground in front of a trash and treasure stall. No one stopped to open the flap they just kept walking past. I couldn't do it. I had to see what discarded treasure was inside. (I say treasure because someone else's trash is always someone else's treasure). When I pulled the flap back a thousand possibilities jumped out. Bags and bags of little metal craft jewels all packaged and waiting for someone to see their potential.  To say I was excited is not an exaggeration. As soon as I recognised what they were and that there was more than one sort mathematical concepts started swimming in front of my eyes.
Oh the sorting, grouping, matching, patterns, comparing, sequencing, counting, dividing, multiplying and sharing; the possibilities were endless in my mind.
I had to have the whole box which ended up being divided between me and my fellow marketeer. 
It was obvious the vender had no idea he had just sold a box of endless learning opportunities for children at the bargain price of only $10.
So they sat in my shed for months and months until today when they jumped out screaming pick me pick me. You see I was looking for an activity to put out that would engage the children but with intentional reasoning behind it: to build on the children's hand and finger strength. I wasn't looking for an activity relating to mathematical concepts at all, however, when I noticed the small packets I knew that they had the potential to be both.
After putting them in a basket on the table I just let the children investigate. No prompting, no suggesting just free range to do with at will.
The first hurdle was to get the packets open. Grunts and groans followed by 'I just can't open it' were echo by all children.
Still no interference.
Hang on a break through. One child found if she ripped the corner upwards she could get a better grip. So with all the strength she had she pulled, just like a tug of war; the plastic one direction the cardboard the other. Next minute success as the slightly overbalanced child yells out "I got it".
That was the start of all the children mastering the art of opening packaging.
Opening items is a learned skill. We need to provide the opportunity for children to work it out for themselves. Yes we can demonstrate, but if we keep doing it for them we rob them of the feeling of accomplishment or developing the skills that will carry them through to the next stage of their learning.
So while I did buy the jewels to be used with a preconceived idea in my mind they proved to be so much more.
The determination of opening the packets outweighs the learning that followed. I already know that the children here are mathematically competent for their ages, but what I have observed over the last few weeks is that they needed support in building strength in their hands.
Looking for learning can be tricky. Sometimes we need to open our eyes wider. It is not always about academia.
Building sound foundations will support a world of learning.
Lets get back to basics. Oh and quirky is fun too.

The Drink Bottle

"Can I take my drink bottle home" a child asks her mum.

 Mum replied with  "It will be your responsibility to remember to bring it back, do you think you can do that"?

"oh yes I will bring it back in the morning" was her determined response.

For two days the child agonised over the fact she kept forgetting to bring her drink bottle back. Of course she was given a replacement however it didn't sit well with her at all.
 

Later that night a text message with a photo of the child holding up her drink bottle filled the screen of my iPhone.


 

The story goes like this:
 

Child arrived home and was obviously still thinking of her forgotten drink bottle. As the family were all busy doing their evening rituals of homework, cooking dinner and getting ready for the next day, they didn't notice the child had started gathering bits and bobs and putting them on the table; including blu tac off the wall. When mum finally realise there was a growing pile of 'junk' starting to overtake the table she asked what she was doing.

"I'm making my drink bottle into a person so I don't forget it" was the nonchalant reply. 

The child, using initiative set about solving her dilemma with explicit instructions to her older wiser sisters, that she didn't need any help she was doing it by herself. Sticking bottle tops for eyes and a water balloon to the top for hair she set the next stage in motion. She instructed her older sister to write a note saying 'I will not forget my drink bottle tomorrow' and sat it on the table next to her now embellished bottle.
Mum was astounded and took a photo straight away and sent it to me.
 

Some who read this might be thinking 'why didn't the mother just pack the drink bottle? Poor child to be worried like that'

I wanted to hug the parent.

Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou, for giving your child the opportunity to be independent and responsible for herself.
Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou for allowing your child to have opportunity to investigate and find a solution to a problem that was obviously causing her so much anguish.
Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou for believing that your child is capable of making decisions.
The last but most important thankyou is for allowing your child to follow through with her solution.
Now that is parenting.

The look on the child and mothers face when they arrived the next morning with 'The Bottle' was priceless. It took pride of place on the table and was admired by all.

And I did hug the parent.

 

Stop getting your knickers in a knot

Are you drained, does your head hurt? Overthinking things? Is there a pill we can take for that?
Reflection is marvellous and so important for professional growth but then sometimes it enters into some dark place of our being where it begins to fester and turn on itself.
Self-doubt and questioning your own understandings, weighing up the sides constantly, justifying what you do, criticising what others do without even knowing the dynamics that shapes their rational can take over your waking hours.
Settle petals; take a chill pill.
One day at a time.

Get to know yourself first; what drives you to do what you do especially before critiquing others. Research for yourself, don't rely on others to plant their seeds; grow your own tree.
Yes by all means we should question what we see, read or hear, but with an open mind and for what it is. Don't dissect it with all ferociousness of a rabid dog as most likely you are not privy as to why it has come to be in the first place.

One of the most important aspects of reflection is everything you witness has the potential for good. So what if you do not like something or it doesn't sit within your ideology at least it has provided you with the opportunity to revisit your own philosophy and clarify why you think the way you do. 

So stop getting your knickers in a knot when you see or read something that you personally disagree with.
 Aren't you exhausted?

For the love of 'tradies'

Gabrielle and Christine from Sticks and Stones Education 

I remember the very first conference I ever attended as a new inductee into ECE. Back then we were referred to as childcare workers. I really had no idea of what to expect. What was a conference for anyway? I didn't understand the concept of professional development and its worth at the time. I went to work did my thing and thought 'wow what a good boy am I'. Of course time, experience, and meeting extraordinary educators opened my eyes.
But the one thing I remember the most from my first experience, besides the chatter of collective educators all vying for the perfect seat (or hiding up the back row) was the trade tables. Oh my. Tables full of exciting merchandise I could have only dreamt of as a child. Books, books and more books ranging from the latest 'must haves' to timeless classics. I still remember seeing and drooling over 'There was an old lady who swallowed a fly' an interactive puppet complete with all the characters from the book. I really wanted her. I even had dreams about her for weeks but just couldn't make my pennies stretch far enough to buy her (I now own her although I made her myself).


Kristy from Kipi Kreative Inspiring & Productive Innovations

I was gobsmacked at the elaborate displays, the thoughtfulness of table design, the unyielding passion the demonstrator expressed as she presented a particular item for the umpteenth time and spruiked about the educational value.  I remember the goodie bags over flowing with freebies and crammed  with the latest educational experience that was deemed a necessary resource because so and so had one. I watched as some easily parted with their allotted amount of cash, while others scrounged in the bottom of their handbags for last few coins to make up the price. I was envious. Wow I'd love to be a 'tradie' and surround myself with all that excitement and 'cash' were my parting thoughts from the conference.
Years later I now have a deeper appreciation of the kind of people 'tradies' are. My initial impression that passion must drive those working behind the calico covered folded tables has been proven to be true but little did I know at the time the other admirable traits that must accompany it.
Arrival at a well-planned conference is met with smiling faces, elaborately decorated and intentionally thought out displays of goods ranging from traditional educational must haves to tables laden with 'trending' apparel; and all at 9am in the morning.
It is obvious some kind of passion must drive the 'tradie' to get up at some merciless hour, drink copious amounts of coffee, drive km after km to then lug box after box after unwavering box of goodies that have been either been hand crafted or sort from catalogues or trade fairs to be carefully and skilfully displayed, just so, on the calico covered folding tables to entice you... the educator.
They then sit through most probably the same presenters workshop, Saturday after Saturday, hour after hour, slide after slide, story after story. With their heads buried in what looks like accountant worthy paperwork, they sit quietly scribbling notes or finishing up some handmade item but you will notice, they occasionally look up to nod and smile that 'knowing smile' at those whose gaze may have wandered from the speaker.
Lunch time and its time to put the smile on your dial and work it. Pleasantries, demonstrations, explanations and negotiations fill the hour until once more the drone of the speaker demands quiet. The end of the day is looming and the endless task of packing away begins. Whilst everyone else is safely on their way home from a day of networking and inspiration the 'tradie' is cursing loudly "why won't it fit in the car? It was packed perfectly at 4am this morning".
So as the 'tradie' heads for home with their remaining stock in half filled boxes shoved mercilessly in the car, they are mentally making  notes of all the items that need replacing, items that have been requested and what time they have to get up for the next one.
So do they make any 'cash' as I so naively envisioned all those years ago? Well ask yourself;  have you ever seen a tradie with paid roadies to carry all their wares? Have you seen them arrive in a custom built vans with shelving specially built to display all; Are they decked out in designer outfits with their logos splashed across in gold threaded calligraphy?
NO. Nine times out of ten the 'tradie' is or was an educator just like you. They understand we are not in an industry that pays our worth. Their driving force is not to make bucket loads of money but to stay connected, inspire, network with like minded grown ups and share wisdom and wares.
So next time you are at a workshop or conference give the 'tradie' a smile of thanks.
Or maybe even a coffee. They deserve it.

Rubber Ball- Look for the learning

I think sometimes we underestimate the learning potential that is possible from very simple ideas. Sometimes all we need to do is look.

I found this compacted ball of rubber bands at Officeworks in the discount bin for 50cents.  I needed the rubber bands. The thought of the ball being a learning opportunity for a child never entered my mind. It was not my intent when I purchased however, when a child saw it on the shelf and questioned what it was for, it then became an opportunity.

Handing the ball to the child was I curious as to what she would do with it.
She sat straight down on the floor, rolled the ball in her hands obviously feeling the bands textures and trying to get a sense of what they actually were (I didn't enlighten her to the fact they were rubber bands). She gently pulled on one of the top bands, twisted, turned the ball around and manipulated the first band off. It was a light bulb moment when realising what they were. Gazing up at me as if for conformation that it was alright to continue she then returned to her mission with gusto.
As you can appreciate if you have ever tried to untangle bands, string or wool how frustrating it can be especially if you crossover the wrong way. This was not evident at all. If the band wouldn't come off the child worked out the right way to peel or started a new band. It was very exciting to watch and a lesson in perseverance for me.
The cognitive value of a ball of elastic is astonishing. Unravelling the complex ball took determination and patience as investigative and trial and error methods were needed whilst at the same time enhancing fine-motor skills.

The sense of accomplishment was evident when completed.
Of course there was no offer of help to put it back together. Her job was done.
I will never look at a ball of rubber bands the same way again. A lesson learnt by the educator.

Are you looking for learning?