Easter bunny, marble and carrot play. This has been a brilliant distraction from the chicken pox. The tray has been in constant use since it was set up on Monday. It has been played with in countless ways and has survived 5 play dates. I love seeing how open ended play means the play opportunities are limitless.
Resources
- Sand and water tray
- Marbles
- Carrot containers
- Miniature carrots
- Bunnies
- Plastic eggs
- Variety of tools: ice cream scoop, tongs etc.
- Cardboard tubes
Method
I took videos at various stages throughout the first day, from Finn first discovering the tray.
They started off using tools to pick up the bunnies and put them in the eggs. As they raced marbles through the cardboard tubes, Cian was giggling away. He loved the sound of the glass clattering together.
Finn put the bunnies in their burrow and kept peeking in to make sure they were all alright.
Meanwhile, Ioan was busy making soup for the bunnies.
Finn put the carrots in their beds, ready to eat some chocolate bunnies.
Ioan delivered eggs hopping as the Easter bunny.
Finn made marble soup, which obviously involved some counting of ingredients!
Ioan made an egg factory for the Easter bunny.
DfES Early Learning Goals (2017)
Communication and language
ELG 03 – Speaking:
Children express themselves effectively, showing awareness of listeners’ needs. They use past, present and future forms accurately when talking about events that have happened or are to happen in the future. They develop their own narratives and explanations by connecting ideas or events.
Personal, social and emotional development
ELG 06 – Self-confidence and self-awareness:
Children are confident to try new activities, and say why they like some activities more than others. They are confident to speak in a familiar group, will talk about their ideas, and will choose the resources they need for their chosen activities. They say when they do or don’t need help.
ELG 07 – Managing feelings and behaviour:
Children talk about how they and others show feelings, talk about their own and others’ behaviour, and its consequences, and know that some behaviour is unacceptable. They work as part of a group or class, and understand and follow the rules. They adjust their behaviour to different situations, and take changes of routine in their stride.
ELG 08 – Making relationships:
Children play co-operatively, taking turns with others. They take account of one another’s ideas about how to organise their activity. They show sensitivity to others’ needs and feelings, and form positive relationships with adults and other children.
Expressive arts and design
ELG 17 – Being imaginative:
Children use what they have learnt about media and materials in original ways, thinking about uses and purposes. They represent their own ideas, thoughts and feelings through design and technology, art, music, dance, role-play and stories.
