I thought i'd share a few of Little Eco's favourite play spaces.
'Little lounge room'
Little Eco's 'Little Lounge Room' occupies a teeny corner of our lounge room. Most of its contents are well and truly 'pre-loved'. The timber lounge was made by my grandfather around 38 years ago (it doubles as a table). There's the Itsy bitsy teeny weeny kitchen hutch, and a vintage tin. The tea cups, picnic basket, dolls house, doily, cardboard filing boxes, and side table are also all pre-loved.
Craft space
This craft space has been around for only a week or so, but has become a favourite spot for threading beads and sewing. Next week I think we'll try sewing on buttons. I'm also keeping an eye out for a vintage sewing basket that i'll fill with toddler-friendly sewing equipment. I think i'll leave a new craft activity out ready each week.
The 1940/50's kids chairs were a very lucky ebay find (I can't believe I was the only one bidding on them!) that I happily added to our collection.
The sweet little pictures came from a damaged story book and I made the pottery 'thing' on the right when I was around 12.
Little Eco wasn't happy about me repurposing one of her teddy bears as a pin cushion for her sewing needles….
…and quickly rescued teddy.
'Work space'
Inspired by Immy's new art space, I finally created a little desk space i'd been planning for ages. Little Eco promptly declared it was her 'work space'. Everything is out ready for her to use; paper, pencils, scissors, glue, crayons, and activity books
I've started collecting embroidered vintage doilies. How can I resist them when someone has spent hours and hours lovingly sewing them and now they sit in an op shop for only $1!?
Need more doily inspiration? You simply have to check out dottie angel.
Painting space
This is definitely the most used space. A basket of paints and brushes lives on the table so that Little Eco can paint whenever she wants.
Rather than buy loads of different colours (and the packaging that comes with them), I buy primary colours and white and we mix any colours we need. I've been surprised by how quickly Little Eco is learning what colours to mix to create the colours she needs.
We mix colours in glass jars, so that if there's any left over we simply put on the lid and save it till next time.
Little Eco's painting smock is probably one the most 'pre-loved' things in our house. Daddy Eco made the smock out of an old T-shirt he couldn't bear to part with and it's been worn hundreds of times since then (including for one of her most memorable painting moments).
The paper is also recycled. I keep an eye out at work for one-sided reports that are about to be tossed out. The A3 ones make great art books.
The best thing about all theses little spaces….
…they are within metres of where I spend most of my time. She can get on with her stuff and I can get on with mine.
Although sometimes I think I should watch her 'stuff' a little closer.
This is what greeted me only a few minutes after taking the above painting photos. Have you noticed this girl is obsessed with face and body painting?
Montessori inspired play spaces
Much of what I have incorporated into Little Eco's play spaces has been influenced by the Montessori method. Small, child-sized environments. An opportunity for her to choose her own activity. An open, uncluttered environment.
If you are interested in more Montessori play spaces, here's my absolute favorites:
New York Social Diary: Lisa Mahar Home, Ohdeedoh
Finns corner, finnian's montessori room, and finnian and lachlan's studio, Sew Liberated.
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For more play inspiration, head on over to this weeks We Play at Childhood 101.
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Don't forget to enter the Seeds for the Future giveaway. Entried close thursday.
Be well and happy,Tricia.
