Brio

We have a lot of Brio, but it hasn't been played with in a while. We had some friends around so we gave them the pleasure of track designer (as the kids often need help to move from the simple circle layout and we do have some rather interesting (but difficult to set out) pieces such as bridges and bits that go from 1 track 1 to 2 tracks out (am sure they have a more technical name).  E and P had a great tine; although P kept breaking one of the bridges and then saying " elp me elp me" when she wanted it fixed! Brio is so good for collaborative play, imaginative play and problem solving.

fake snow

After yesterday's excitement in the ice I decided the penguins needed some snow to make them feel at home, so from Amazon I ordered some fake non-toxic snow. It was truly amazing stuff - adding the water and watching it expand and it felt soft and nice to touch. E has just spend about half an hour making up adventures in the snow with the penguins going off to fish and worrying about getting frost bite! Then both girls filled up various containers and poured it out again (although it does look like a blizzard has been blowing in the kitchen!). With the older girls we have talked about the science behind the chemicals
It is actually derived from the superabsorbent polymer found in disposable nappies. The polymer soaks up water via osmosis and so when water comes in contact with the polymer, it moves from outside the polymer to the inside and causes it to swell. It is a physical reaction - a reaction where the substance itself does not change.

Ice Excavation

Some of our silly penguins got trapped in some ice bergs and needed help to escape! This led to some great discussions about how to make ice, what ice was and what would happen to it. Both girls loved touching it which led some great language development. Then they got in the messy play tray and we talked about how slippy it was. Next E went to get her gloves which led us to talk about insulation and frost bite - more for another day i think!

The Real meaning of Christmas

It is easy to get caught up in the lights, food (and drink) and consumerism of Christmas and lose the real meaning - the birth of Jesus ... so today's challenge was to set up the Nativity scene. We have a lovely playmobil one which G and E enjoyed setting up in our messy play/small world plastic tray.

(photo taken by G)

small world space

I have been meaning to do more small world play with G and E for a while and I came across this website (http://www.yellow-door.net/small-world-play) which inspired to me to get on with it. I have made this lunar landscape with some small space figures, some silver sand and glitter and some black rocks all in a very cheap plastic tray from a garden centre.  There has already been some moon adventures!