Simple Sensory Walls

“A classroom isn't just four walls. From every corner to the full classroom setup, decoration shapes how children feel, think, and imagine every day.” 

— Early Learning Consensus

In our classroom I consider the potential of every learning space. This is why the aged back of a shelf that is located by the door especially interested me. I wanted a refresh that not only added to the aesthetic of our area, but provided another learning opportunity for the children.   

 

Although the pegboard offers potential as it can be utilized to attach different toys and tools (e.g., hanging invitations, organizing systems, easel) the depth of the shelf had made this difficult upon attempt. I also could not remove the stains and painting it wasn't of interest to me. Many of the learners in our space enjoy sensory invitations so I decided to use this to inspire my work.

I measured the area of the shelf and mapped out the space on the floor nearby. This way I could begin arranging materials in an easy and efficient way. I looked for different colours, shapes and textures using objects from around the classroom, my house and the local dollar store. Hot glue was strong enough for the items I included. 

 

The finished product was so pretty and incredibly well used by children. Over time I did have to touch up the space and reattach the more popular objects. 

 

See the entire process here!

This school year I was looking to change up the shelf so I thought a hanging fabric invitation might be of interest to children. I still wanted to offer a variety of colours and textures but hoped to specifically focus on the rainbow. I have noticed that young children are fascinated by rainbows. Also, as a sign of welcoming and inclusion, I liked the idea of one being located right by our door. I searched the local thrift store for fabric scraps and ribbon. My helper definitely approved!

I cut the fabric into strips, doubled it and tied it onto an upcycled long broom handle I had around the house. 

                                 

Using the pegboard holes, I wove thin wire through the back of the shelf and twist tied the pole into place. The wire is strong enough to allow children to touch and move the fabric as they explore this new sensory space. 

 

See the entire process here!

Vintage Treasures in the Classroom

"The objects surrounding the child should look solid and attractive to him, and the house of the child should be lovely and pleasant in its particulars; for beauty in the school invites activity and work."

Maria Montessori

One of my favourite ways to spend a relaxing Sunday is to visit a local antique store in my town. They refresh their wares on a regular basis and it's inspiring to wander the store and see the new arrivals. I love to find unique objects and imagine how they might be used by children during free play. Sometimes objects are a vintage model of what we already have - I'd much rather offer a solid metal scale for measuring than a flimsy plastic one. Other times unfamiliar objects become invitations for exploration and play as children have not had previous experience with the new resource. Providing something interesting and unique in the learning centers for them to discover has led to some amazing questions and explorations. Children attempt to discover what a new object might be and for what other purposes they can use it.
     

Visitors to our space are surprised to see the delicate materials being used by children. I'm often asked how fragile objects are not damaged, and if children take care of the resources properly. I believe that because children consider themselves equal members in a democratic space they value their beautiful learning environment and strive to care for all materials. Do things sometimes get broken? Absolutely! But this is a rare occurrence and when it does happen it provides an excellent moment for reflection and learning so that children take care to ensure materials are safely cared for.

 

Visitors to our space also ask how I am able to acquire such interesting materials without spending a lot of personal money to do so. As a scavenger I am always on the look out for vintage items; I love to spend rainy Sundays in second hand shops looking for things that can be easily fixed up and used in the classroom. Families are also quick to donate items from their homes and yards, especially after an open house when they see just how children incorporate materials into their play. Sometimes colleagues, my own extended family and other community members will offer things they no longer need. Sending letters home to families and posting for specific items I am hoping for on social media has also resulted in some amazing items being added to our space. Because I have taught for 20+ years I have acquired quite the interesting collection! It takes time and patience to build a complex space.

Offering antiques and vintage items in the classroom not only beautifies the space, it offers many other learning opportunities for children:

• children learn about how materials and lifestyles have evolved throughout the years (e.g., learning how rotary phones evolved to dial and eventually to wireless smart devices)
• children appreciate how materials can be recycled, reused and even upcycled in place of always purchasing something new
• the classroom begins to take on an interesting eclectic flavour that can represent the spirit and history of the local community
• statement pieces can spark in depth inquiries or creative explorations (e.g., researching the purpose of an unknown object, writing about the history of an object)
• children can also explore cultural and historical significance of pieces and use them to learn more about the past
• children can emotionally connect with the aesthetics of a piece and hold wonder and curiosity for their environment
• sharing the theories children have for vintage items beyond the walls of the classroom (e.g., social media, newsletters, documentation) helps showcase young children as capable and creative and might inspire further donations
  

     

Over the years I have replaced plastic, commercial toys in our classroom with found and recycled objects. It's taken years to curate a classroom filled with wonder and excitement and I'm eager to continue this journey with the children in the upcoming school year. What unique objects are valued in your classroom? Share your ideas in the comments below or share on social media tagging @McLennan1977!

Creating a Sensory Wall for Children

In our classroom we have a discovery area where children are invited to explore materials that focus specifically on the senses. We enjoy including resources that support exploration of light and colour (e.g., light table, sensory jars). Many loose parts are also in this area (e.g., stones, shells). The materials are stored on a small wooden shelf so they are easily accessible for children.

The shelf floats in the middle of the room as an anchor for the space. The back was covered in blue felt. We wanted to maximize all areas of this space and because there are many children with sensory needs in the class we decided to turn the felt area into a sensory wall.

The first step was to measure the space and plan out how the materials would fit together. I found this easiest to do on a flat working space. This way I could piece the material together like a puzzle and ensure they were diverse and interesting to explore.

Once I was satisfied with the way it looked I attached each piece to the felt wall using hot glue. I know that over time as children explore the pieces may fall off, but I am hopeful that I will be able to quickly and easily reattach them. I love how the sensory wall is low enough for all children to access. They will be able to sit and explore, or touch it while they walk by. The materials also match the colour scheme and decor in this calming space and do not stand out.

I found myself enjoying the materials and know that the children will too!

Virtual Classroom Tour

We have been so excited by our recent classroom changes. Here is a virtual photo tour for those of you who haven't visited in a while. 

Our art area has many interesting materials for the children to use. We believe that there is beauty in the materials so the way we present our art artifacts also helps to decorate the centre. Children's work is on display in frames and documentation of recent experiences is presented in annotated photo collages and learning stories on a clipboard, accessible to both classroom visitors and the children.

Our snack centre is a free flow, open space where children can visit during a playblock when they are hungry and would like to socialize over a snack. There is always a survey or writing component on the easel for children to read and respond to, and needed materials (napkins, spoons, etc.) are housed on a shelf nearby to encourage independence and responsibility.

Our science area has accessible tools (magnifying glasses, tweezers, etc.) and artifacts (shells, feathers, etc.) nearby for the children to explore. We love our light table and use it regularly and try and incorporate our current inquiry (in this photo the planting along the window) into the centre. We weave literacy and numeracy into all centres and there is much student writing on display.

Literacy has a wealth of spaces and materials to support our children's emergent reading, writing and oral language interests and abilities. The co-created alphabet was made from paper mache and our children use math/sorting skills when keeping the writing materials neat and organized. A bin of journals is available anytime a child wants to do some drawing and writing.

There are cozy corners in the room to sit and chat with a friend, read a book, draw in a journal, or play with a quiet bin.

Our math area has open-ended tools available for both focused table top activities and also integration into other experiences (e.g., measuring tapes to see how tall our plants have grown at science). Because we have focused so deeply on math we have woven much documentation of student work as well as the pedagogical and philosophical frameworks behind our activities into the display. The documentation offered at every centre is available for both children's and visitor's use.

Our drama centre changes based on children's interest and is currently set up as a mini house. The children help us co-construct the environment by gathering materials from our room and creating what we don't have.

Our cubby area celebrates each child with a recent framed photo and a self-portrait painted by each child.

Art in Unconventional Places

We have a forsythia bush in our backyard and I thought it would be interesting to cut some branches to force open indoors. Cadence was interested in painting a still life of them. 

We recycled an old shoe box lid as the canvas because the frame around the perimeter of the painting area really gives the artwork a feeling of importance. The art is instantly framed!

The painting turned out lovely and I appreciated the various blends of brown and green she used to represent what she interpreted when examining the branches in the vase.

Because I want to validate and appreciate my children's artwork, I like to use it as decor in our home - not just as postings for the fridge - helping them feel as though they are contributing to the 'culture' of our family life. I want them to see themselves represented in a way that honours their work. The shoe box lid was a perfect frame because it also helped the painting stand up without needing any additional support or adhesive, which allowed it to adorn the window ledge just above my sink. Now when I look out my window while doing dishes I'm inspired to think lovely green thoughts of spring instead of staring at bare tree branches!

How do you display your children's artwork at home and school?

Christmas Sensory Bin

We have Christmas fever around here now that the autumn decorations have been packed away. I decided to create a Christmas sensory bin for the kids to explore. I used trinkets that I found at the local dollar store (bells, bows, garland, beads, pompoms, etc.) and put them together with a mini Christmas tree, some gift bags and miniature boxes.

   

There was so much to look at and touch! The bright, shiny objects were very appealing!

It was fun to put together 'gifts' for people! The sensory box had much math potential as my son had to figure out what objects fit in the boxes, which box lids matched the box bottoms, which length of ribbon would fit around the boxes in order to secure them, and the different ways we could sort objects into the bins.

It was also fun to decorate the little miniature Christmas tree with the materials in the bin! This was a favourite activity since the kids have been asking when we are going to get our tree as they are so excited to decorate it. This gives them lots and lots of time to explore decorating in their own way.

Because the materials are so small, decorating the tree proves to be great fine motor practice too!

Our New Plant

Check out our new plant. Do you think we can train it to grow on the trellis? We are hoping it adds a tall splash of green to the center of our classroom!