Friday, 13 February 2015

Maze table & stools, Panels for posting, sorting, comparing, matching & storing, Ball & Water walls

The  maze table and stools were created for a local long daycare's 0-2 years outdoor area. As well as being used as a conventional table children can sit on each side and from their individual starting points, use their fingers to trace their way to the centre of the simple circular maze. If they choose to they can change positions and try a new pathway.  Mazes and labyrinths are beneficial in numerous developmental areas as well as an aid for relaxation.  
  More info about the benefits of mazes and labyrinths for all ages can be found at:

http://www.revistaenespera.com/index.php/revista/noviembre-2013/get-the-health-benefits-of-labyrinths/ 
http://www.boomers-with-elderly-parents.com/maze-games.html
http://goarticles.com/article/The-Educational-Benefits-of-Mazes/1020217/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maze



The panels below are created from natural and up-cycled materials and will be mounted to a wall at toddler height. They can be used in the processes of posting, sorting, comparing, matching & storing natural objects found within the playspace or supplied items. These skills help children identify and describe relationships between items. 

"Comparing involves identifying similarities and differences among objects. Being able to compare objects and identify similarities and differences leads to the ability to classify objects.

Classifying/sorting involves finding things that are the same, or alike, and grouping them by specific traits. Once they have classified items, children can compare items further to learn more specific similarities and differences between items, both within and between matched groups.

Sets are simply a collection of things that have been classified together because they have something in common. In your child care program, you could find many sets, such as blocks, markers, food, people, and animals.

Measuring is determining the extent or degree of something. For example, children can measure a block in many ways; (number) height, weight, length, even temperature. If you don't have rulers or other measuring tools, help children practice measuring with everyday objects such as yarn or paper clips."

Full text at http://www.extension.org/pages/25593/basic-math-skills-in-child-care:-matching-classifying-and-measuring#.VN2Y9fmUdnN)

The first shelves are are from Melaleuca off-cuts and are for displaying found treasures. 






The second set of honeycomb shelves are made from bamboo and painted perspex tube off cuts and are different diameters and lengths. Once again these shelves are to be mounted to a wall at toddler height.
The different compartments are used for the posting, sorting and storage of found and supplied items of various sizes, colours, textures etc. 







The last two panels were to be a single 1m x 2m panel, however were changed at the last minute because there was a heretofore unnoticed door were the panel was to be mounted. 

The first panel can be used for various sized balls or water and is made from 12mm AA Grade Hardwood Marine Plywoodt hat has had its edged routed and sanded. The fittings and brackets are all for the 90mm x 6m Upvc Stormwater Pipe that was utilised. A child can easily choose the pathway for play by turning the flow diverter up or to the right. The ball/water may fall to the right or to the base were they are drained or retrieved a basket is attached for storage.  
















The second panel is made from the same material and fittings can be used for ball, water or car play








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