Tuning in to Children and Space

Space

This school year a few students have really engaged my thinking about space. I noticed students needing big spaces to move about in and could see how they really thrived in our Outdoor Learning spaces. More uniquely I noticed students who needed small personal spaces to have some intimate independent or small group deeply focused moments of play.

I simply considered...

How could I give more space or provide more spaces (within a small room)?
How could I transform and create unique spaces?
How could I inspire within small spaces?
What is it that they were wanting out of small, more contained spaces?

Below are some images of tables, levels, blankets, mats and light that have inspired many students this school year. More interestingly, the same students keep coming back to use the space or check in and see how it has changed week to week, during our Free Flow learning time on Fridays.

These are not heavily planned provocations, these are invitations for "smaller," deeper moments of storytelling and play. Having rich materials at their finger tips and time and freedom, THEY develop the space or stories without any prompting.

Mirror Tables

Light Tables, a few scattered throughout my room.
Bringing a magical glow to the room and providing smaller spaces to engage in.

Blanket covered tables and extra light have been small world heaven to the same 4 children every week

"It has been decided, every Friday we will come here, just the 3 of us.  No one else can join us and we will play under your table the WHOLE TIME."  - Mia

Colored blankets with Story boxes provide a small world experience to change up some of the outdoor play experiences.


All he needs is an empty shelf or window.
He can always find one and gets so much pleasure of acting out his stories, while standing.

Small wooden stands of various levels and sizes.









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