Fall Sensory Tables

I was very fascinated over the last couple months how our sensory table kept transforming. It started with beans, lentils and dried corn. There were a couple squirrels hanging around too.  The different types of play that took place at the table included dramatic play, scooping, transferring, and amazing conversations between friends.

The original set up.

For the first time ever I made our sensory table available as part of the dramatic play area. I was very nervous about this option, but it seemed appropriate as part of our Farmer's Market.

Before long there was also a tree available on the cabinet next to the sensory table, in case the squirrels needed some time to themselves. This opened up a lot of creative play.

Eventually the Farmer's Market started to spill over into the table, too. Which was better than the table spilling over into the market.

At the end of September, our Farmer's Market was packed up and put away, but our collections from outside found their way into the table next. (Some of the leaves are artificial) There were also clothespins and dried penne pasta mixed in. The clothespins were used to hook all sorts of items together. One boy even made a scarecrow.

Then we used the collections from the table with our homemade play dough.

And finally!!! Today the table transformed completely into a spooky and

 slimy table full of Halloween!

Our Waldorf Inspired Gnomes (a side note)

Over a year and a half ago I discovered a craft project that I could not refuse on Wee Folk Art.

The website claimed:

"Once you let a gnome in your life, you'll never be without one again! Our house is crawling with gnomes. We have unassuming gnomes and rather ostentatious gnomes. We have gnomes that love to tell stories and shy ones that prefer to listen. We even harbor a couple rather naughty gnomes, but down deep, they have a heart of gold! Their personalities are as different as you'd expect in any group of friends. For that reason, we'd like to give you the opportunity to invite a few gnomes into your house."

Waldorf gnomes ran away with my heart. I toyed with the patterns a bit and it wasn't long before I was making them freehand and giving them their own unique twists and personalities.  For about six months I was making them constantly and actually set up a table at a couple craft fairs, spreading the gnome love. Although I have slowed down on creating these little friends, they have never left our preschool classroom or my home.

The preschoolers love these little gnomes as much as I do.

Our Homemade Gnome Tree House

1 Little, 2 Little, 3 Little .....

Stamping

Pumpkins and Gates

Homemade pumpkin stamp using sticky back felt and a foam block.

Apples

Art. :)

Acorns and Other Natural Materials

Pumpkin Measuring

 

http://rubberbootsandelfshoes.blogspot.ca/2012/10/measuring-with-pumpkins-freebie-included.html

Happy Birthday Inch By Inch!

Six Years Old

A big THANK YOU, to everyone who has been part of the Inch By Inch community over the last six years. It has been amazing to watch your children and the preschool grow. Sometimes I still sit back and realize that I am living my dream.

 I couldn't be more thankful.

2009

2010

Waiting for our ice cream.