Ripples of Inspiration!

(Photo above courtesy of Opal Hoffman)

(Photo courtesy of Tina Brandel)

I am so excited to share these photos with you! If you have been following the blog, you know that I have been traveling and providing training sessions to other early childhood educators in the U.P. There are A LOT of great things about this opportunity, but what has been absolutely amazing is the response I have received!

(Photo courtesy of Cindy LaFave and Liz Gudwer)

I cannot adequately put into words the feeling I have when I see all of the wonderful changes folks have made after my training! I love how they take what I have done and/or found and make it their own!

(Photo taken at the Gladstone Childcare Center)

It is AMAZING to see all of the inexpensive changes to children's spaces that create atmospheres for learning through play!

Stephanie over at A Little Bit of This N That came to one of my science training sessions and she posted all kinds of great things they tried the very next day!

If you aren't close enough to come to a training but would like to see some of the sources of inspiration, hop on over to the Outdoor Inspiration link up page and check it out! There are oodles of great inexpensive ideas!

Have you made changes to your space and/or tried some of the ideas I have been sharing? I would love to hear about it. Drop me a message and send some photos along if you can!

Comments

Let the Children Play said…

These are all so wonderful Amy - and you are doing an amazing job spreading the word! I'm loving their banging wall - and the little dinosaur scene just yells "come play with me".

August 24, 2011 at 4:05 AM

Easter Egg Caterpillars!

OOOPS! This post has moved, please click on the photo to be redirected!

My friend died

I learned a hell of a lot from Dan Hodgins. He was mentor, a friend, and a "bone shaker" for many of us in the field of Early Childhood Education. He was and will always be a champion for children, and protector of childhood. I have so many great memories of time spent with him, it just doesn't seem like we had enough time. Dan died this past Saturday. Interestingly enough, Dan and I talked about death quite a bit. It is one of those topics that isn't talked about all that much in our field, but is super important. All living things eat, all living things poop, and all living things die. Dan and I recorded a podcast for awhile called "Shaking Bones." Dan was always shaking bones, even before I met him. To say I was honored to be asked to be his co-host would be putting it lightly. I loved recording with him. He was never afraid to touch on topics that were a bit edgy, or issues that sometimes weren't talked about much at all. We even...

A Few Ideas With Marker Caps (As Promised)

Yesterday, I hope I convinced you not to throw away your markers that "don't work." Today, I will share with you a few ideas for what to do with all of the caps. The possibilities are nearly endless, but here are a few of our recent creations: 1) A Leprechaun/Fairy Ladder/Rope Ladder: 2) #1 if not permanently secured can also double as a rope bridge: 3) #1/#2 can also be made into a train track for your homemade trains :). (No photo available) 4) You can use them as beads for a necklace: 5) You could make them into a wind chime. (No photo available). 6. You can use them as small manipulatives to count, sort, and make patterns with. (No photo available). 7) You could use them as playing pieces in your own homemade board game. (No photo available). 8) You could put them on a wire and glue them in place to make a twirling whirly-gig. 9) You could top them with a lid from a milk jug to make tiny tables or toadstools. 10) You could make them...

Ms. Amy's Blog @Child Central Station

Search This Blog