Birthday time

Yesterday was G's birthday. She brought cupcakes to share at playcentre, and we made her a cake to have at afternoon tea time. so, she got lots of chances to blow candles, and we sang 'happy birthday' a lot!

I and E will be turning 2 soon. It was also good practice for I to learn about birthdays, cakes and candles.

Chickens at playcentre

Well, there's never a dull moment here. I took G and I(child) to Playcentre yesterday - and Henrietta had brought two chickens for a visit! They 'free-ranged' around the outside area, pecking under the bushes and generally ignoring the children. The kids, I in particular, thought they were fascinating, watching, pointing, and coming back to watch them again later. Great to have a 'country experience' for these city kids.

Meanwhile, G was very involved with cars and trains during the session. She was rolling cars down a ramp into the water trough, and later walking round and round a table which had the train set out on it, rolling carriages. Very engaged with both. 'Rotary' or possibly 'trajectory' schemas are indicated.

Here's Susan Harper on schemas. Good old Google! (I wonder who else I know has a blog?)

Painting was magic for G.

Today was the first day for G (aged 20 months) at my house. She was a little unhappy with mum leaving at first, but easily distracted, and she 'warmed up' to us over an hour or so, until I would say she had an excellent first day. After her sleep she was singing, dancing, jumping and clapping with us, and with Sophie and Elanor after they got home from school.

I took the Little Kids to our local playcentre for a visit. At first they were both a bit shy, and I led G around by the hand, looking at different activities, for a while. Then she saw the painting! This must have really struck a chord with her because she painted several pictures, and kept coming back to this area. After that she was away, exploring and playing in a number of areas, both inside and out.

Meanwhile, I(child) had become very independant, exploring and generally getting 'stuck in'. Lots of time with the playdough for her, squeezing, patting, poking - and checking out what the other children were doing.

Sandpit of the week

Here is another sandpit where we have spent quite a lot of time. This is the new (as in, 5 years new) sandpit at our local Playcentre. It was built while Elanor was four. It replaced a smaller one in a low corner of the ourdoor area.

The sunshade pulls across on two cords, so that it is folded up zig-zag fashion when against the shed wall. It is secured with a bungy cord. The sandpit cover is canvas of some kind, fitted, and secured by a bungy around the edge which hooks onto small hooks about 40cm apart around the lip. Some major work was done after installation to improve drainage (which had previously been going into the carpart adjacent to the centre). Very handy having the shed right by the sandpit.