It Not "Just Recess" Anymore!

Teachers often heave a sigh of relief when they take their students out to recess. Finally! The children can burn off the pent up energy they had been accruing for the past few hours indoors. But what if we change our outlook on outdoor play time? What if we create an outdoor environment that offered all of the learning opportunities that one would typically find indoors? What if children could run out to a well-planned play yard to find experiences in math, science, nature, dramatic play, water, building and construction, sensory activities, physical development, art and music? What if they play yard developed critical thinking, discovery, problem solving, and cooperative skills? The result would be that we wouldn't have "just recess" anymore. We would have The Outdoor Classroom!

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Outdoor Nativity - Dramatic Play

In the spirit of the season, we joyfully hauled out all of the nativity-style clothes we could muster for the children to explore in our new Nativity dramatic play area. We supplied wings for the angels, sheer fabric, gowns for Mary and cloaks for Joseph, headbands for the shepherds, fancy hats and gifts for the wise men, blankets, stuffed animals, and of course, Jesus and the manger (a doll and cradle). We had two bales of hay to define the area. Sounds great, but in fact, it looked...well....pathetic. 


Truly, it looked like two bales of hay and a crate of clothes. 

So, what to do for our sad looking corner? Bring on the butcher paper and erect a stable!!! For the final touch, we just added a HUGE glittery star that hangs from the ceiling! Cue the Christmas music, and HARK, we have an inviting dramatic play that is fit for the season!








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8 comments:

  1. Rachel KaylynnDecember 9, 2011 at 6:14 AM

    I love this! How fun, I wanna come play.

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  2. macsDecember 9, 2011 at 10:59 AM

    Terrific! Merry CHRISTMAS!

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  3. Juliet RobertsonDecember 9, 2011 at 12:20 PM

    Hmm... I think next year you will have to try harder. I would suggest bringing in a couple of live oxen, a pair of sheep and importing a camel. LOL!

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  4. BeansproutsDecember 9, 2011 at 7:08 PM

    beautiful...i love the stars. it's the little elements of the season that make it special : )

    ReplyDelete
  5. KristinDecember 9, 2011 at 8:04 PM

    Thanks, everyone! Juliet, I suppose I shouldn't forget the donkey! We do have a bunny that gets to hop around the yard during nap time...does that count? ;-) She loves to hop over to the dramatic play area and munch on the hay. She was even trying to eat the paper when I was posting it to the wall! Lol!

    ReplyDelete
  6. vob editorDecember 13, 2011 at 9:03 PM

    Wow! I just find your blog through Let the children play, and i like it. I wish you a lot of success and I am looking forward to visiting often.
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    ReplyDelete
  7. UnknownDecember 16, 2011 at 1:34 PM

    This looks so fun and inviting! Thanks for linking up to the Outdoor Play Party! There is now a grab button for you to post - you can get it from my page. Hope to see you again for our last link party of the year, on now.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Turkish BendMarch 6, 2012 at 10:29 PM

    Those all of the nativity style clothes is very perfect to the outdoor play party. Everything is excellent in your home. I attract by that. That is great creativity.

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    ReplyDelete

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