Using resources creatively.

Sometimes we adults lose sight of the fact that resources can be used in so many different ways and they don't have to have a fixed end result. Luckily young children always see the potential of any resource to be anything they want it to be and aren't constrained by the same beliefs that we adults might have. Every 2 weeks when we plan as a staff, we sit in the store where all the resources are kept so we can look at them differently and mull over which resources might work together. At the end of the day some of our 'experiments' work and others don't but mostly they are a success as the 3 and 4 years olds embrace any opportunity to use resources in so many different ways.

I suppose we need to see all resources as loose parts!

A few years ago we invested in some Polydron and it quickly became a favourite of everyone - there just needs to be loads of it so there is no arguments over the pieces. It is a very versatile resource as it works on it's own or with other pieces added to it. Up until now we had added small world figures so the children could make houses etc. but then this week we put the rectangular magnetic boards out with them and it was incredible to see how the children embraced the chance to use the Polydron on a flat surface. Some built them up in the traditional way making boxes etc. whilst others began to make patterns and then add figures into the shapes.

One child made ' a lovely sunny day', we'll be evaluating this mix of resources as a success and certainly be putting this out again soon.

"It's a lovely sunny day" - can you see the grass, sky & sun?