All your experiences always look so fabulous! I love it that you’ve added these after shots, It’s just what you should be seeing if children are engaging in an experience.

::: Yep … And this was a relatively tidy day Nicole!

While mess is understandable and indeed an important part of the exploration process, there’s this sort of mess and then there is the destructive kind. I know this sounds harsh but when children dont have a bond or respect with the environment around them you end up with a collection of chewed and broken toys, resources, torn paintings and ripped apart books at the end of the day.

It’s so disheartening to spend the time role modelling the way to read a book or the way to care for the artwork of another child, or how to play with in a space only to return moments later to see one child in tears because “He tore all the paintings down and now they are all gone and broked” sometimes i feel i struggle at maintaining a positive play space because of the destructive factor.

Even when ownership of the space is given, when great nurturing skills are introduced … it’s a little heartbreaking to turn around to see some one gleefully upending the “fishing pong” (yes – pong, not pond) and laughing hysterically as his friends cry and struggle under a mass of blue cellophane and starfish.

::: We so hear your frustrations Billie. Empathy towards the feeling of others can be the most difficult thing for small children to learn and certainly one the most challenging things for us to teach! Continued patience on our part and role modeling of acceptable behaviour is still such a positive and necessary action. Sometimes for the happiness of everyone we do need to modify our environments slightly to cater for the needs of all children. Of course that doesn’t have to mean huge changes just the removal or repositioning of things, like the paintings. U.S. based Parenting Coach – Alison Astair has some great ideas on her website which you might find helpful. Here is a link for you … http://www.helpmealison.com/ages–stages.html … http://www.facebook.com/parenting.coach.alison.astair?sk=info

::: Billie we popped your comment up on our Facebook page and here is what Alison Astair had to say … We hope this helps! http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=168193806581731&id=121305887884646

I love the invitations you’ve created for the children to explore the areas! Very nice!!

::: Thank you Melanie We truly believe if you make it look inviting the children will at least be interested to have a look at what is on offer … hence our mantra “make it irresistible”!

That is the best EC post I’ve ever read! Soooo good to see the after shot. Now I feel that my kids and I are normal.

::: Oh good Sarah! Now you’ve made us feel normal too!!!!!

oh, how glad i am to find this site!

thanks to jenny for pointing me this way.

eager to read more.

thank you, kristin

Ah, thank you for showing me the mess (or should I say evidence of creative process and learning!). I don’t feel so bad now I’m envious of your circular invention table too. And as usual, I just want to copy all your setups! Thanks again, Jenny

HI,
I love your blog! I’ve been trolling through old posts and really enjoying reading about your centre and especially love all the photos (visual person here!). You’ve given me some great ideas too

Louise