An Experience of the 'Every Day'

Out at the shopping centre, I discovered I didn’t have any toys in the nappy bag for my daughter.  I normally bring one or two, for her enjoyment and to keep her hands busy.  But this particularly day I’d left in a bit of a hurry, and only had the basics with me.  Was it time to panic and dash through the shops before she had time to get too upset, or time to run into the nearest store and buy a new toy, or maybe even forget the shopping all together and come back out the next day… Not at all! 

It is true that children need to play, and toys help children become in tune with the world around them, but once I’d had another look in my nappy bag, I knew I had plenty of things for bub to play with.  Children and babies can be encouraged to have access to everyday objects and materials to play with.  They also have their own bodies, and they have their carers to provide interaction.  This means with a few simple items babies and children can display how they are becoming competent learners.

When a child plays with everyday objects they not only get to explore what things are, but what things do, and as they get older, into what things can become.  In my nappy bag I found the following things; a water bottle, a face washer, and a metal spoon.  Disappointed with the lack of variety I gave this collection of bits and pieces to my baby in her pram.  Let me tell you, she had so much fun with those three little items!

At first she did the usual, biting on the washcloth, sucking on the lidded edge of the bottle and putting the spoon in her mouth and turning it over in her hands.  It was after this however that she started to explore what these simple objects could do.  First she picked up the spoon and started banging it against the side of her pram, bang bang bang. Enjoying the sound the spoon made she banged it against different areas of the pram producing different noises.  She noticed that when she hit the spoon against fabric, such as the washcloth it didn’t make a sound, and from this information was able to make sense of this, and throw down the washcloth, choosing instead to continue her game with the spoon and sides of the pram. 

At lunch we sat and as I normally allow her to do when we eat out, she sat in the middle of the table between my husband and me.  It was going to be a bit of time before our food would be brought out, and so she then played some more.  She is learning at the moment about object permanence, where an object doesn’t disappear just because she can no longer see it, so we used the washcloth to play her ‘latest game’.  Think of it as a ‘peak-a-boo’ of toys she finds amusing.  “Where is the…” as it is hidden under the washer. 

She had so much fun on this shopping trip, and learned a lot about her world.  It also reminded me that play doesn’t need to be expensive, or the latest and greatest gadgets, in order to be beneficial for bub. This was something I thought I had always known, and perhaps had, but had put aside somewhere between bright colours, loud noises, and ‘easy babysitters’.

Communities for Children encourage authentic learning with everyday objects with programs such as ‘treasure baskets’ and ‘heuristic play’.  These programs are offered at most of the playgroups supported by C4C.  You can find out more about treasure baskets, heuristic play, and other authentic methods of play by contacting communities for children, following the links on our website. 

What every day objects do your children like to play with?  Comment below so we can share in your stories.

From Neighbours, To Communities, To a United Nation

Have you ever heard the saying “It takes a village to raise a child” ?  It seems like quite a fitting sentiment in these times.  “It takes a village to raise a child”…What if we were to take this well known quote, that has been used time and time again, and turn it into a metaphor. 

When I hear this line of verse I feel empowered by my community.  I remember that unity can create change, perhaps even that someone out there, those I don’t even know, are capable of supporting me, and my family.  In a metaphorical sense, when everyone comes together for a common goal, they become one; a unit.  Differences are put aside, everyone works together, compassion takes centre stage, and laughter and tears are shed with empathy.  I’ve been seeing examples of this in the last few days.  I am sure that you all know where I am heading with this article, but let me share a few short moments with you.

I was at Woolworths, the morning of the floods and we had ducked in to get some bread, milk and baby stuff.  Whilst looking at the empty milk fridge a lady came up to me and said, “Oh I’m sorry darling if you’re looking for milk, it’s all gone.  Little bit of bread left if you hurry.”  She then led me down the long life isle, and discovering all the long life milk was out of stock as well continued to explain to me how if I used a tube of condensed milk I could make a cup of coffee and use a dollop of it as my milk and sugar (which the store was also out of). 

That same trip to Woolworths, another family saw us waiting in line at the checkouts. Feeling concern for our young baby they explained that they thought the further lines up would be less congested and to go have a look, but if not to come back and stand in line in front of them. 

I was at home the next day when my neighbour came up and started telling my husband about roads that were flooding, and closing. “Think we’ll be right here though mate” he said.

I turned on facebook to see one citizen had set up an update service, with more updates as soon as she found out more.  People were asking her questions that she would diligently search answers for.  Also on facebook, “Be safe in the floods”, “Thinking of those in the floods”  “Spare bed for those who need somewhere dry to sleep”  “Let me know if I can help in any way” and the list goes on.

People moving the belongings of strangers to higher ground, People in boats going to collect people stranded, Men carrying children not their own, and once again this list goes on.  Stories of hope, strength, support, community, compassion; these are the stories of a community standing together as one.

Soon it will be time for the clean-up; to rebuild and slowly move forward.  It is here that we are seeing the true metaphoric understanding of a nation united.  People from all over Australia are watching the stories, sharing the experience, helping where they can.  People of Australia are proposing endless ways to raise funds, donate goods, remember the lost and help the fallen.   

 The best of humanity is being given freely and unconditionally by everyday citizens.   It is a united front that we should be proud of, one we should hold on to, and even when all this is over, we can aim towards working together, as a ‘village’.

A.S.

Project Development Worker

Communities for Children

Original write-up Thursday 13^th January

So much has happened already since then,

Please share with us the stories of your community, we would love to hear them!  You can do so by posting a comment.

Flying High at Feeding Time

My six month old is learning all about solid foods.  It’s a bit of fun, it’s messy, and to her it’s downright scary!  My baby is hesitant whenever she tries a new food, perhaps it’s a new texture, chunkier, thicker, ‘greener’, sweeter than the last, or perhaps it just plain old tastes weird.  She frowns and spits it back onto her bib, giving me eyes of distress.  Sometimes she skips the distress and gets upset, throwing the food and screaming.  How could I encourage my baby to try new foods, and expand her palate… and that’s when I thought of the ‘have a go spoon.’

My daughter’s ‘have a go spoon’ is pink and has two wings and a tail fin.  It is an aeroplane to be precise.  It’s also her absolute favourite.  “Zoom” goes the aeroplane spoon, making meals an enjoyable experience.  The two wings and tail fin make for handy holding tools and she can easily grasp her little hand around it and shove it towards her face, and occasionally by mere fluke she might even get some in her mouth.  It’s messy, crazy, bubby-friendly fun.  And that’s why we made this amusing utensil the ‘have a go spoon’.

Now whenever she tries a new food, out comes her favourite aeroplane spoon. She squeals with delight as the new foreign mixture is held in front of her.  Torn between spitting out the unfamiliar mixture, and wanting to play with her aeroplane, she opens her mouth for a mouthful knowing that a game of ‘mummy does one, bubby does one’ is sure to follow.  (This way at least half the amount of food might just make it to her tummy!)

At the moment her ‘have a go spoon’ is a token offering from me to her for being so brave in trying something new.  It’s a gimmick, a bit of fun, a reward perhaps.  But when she’s a bit older, perhaps this simple little spoon will be a support system for her, allowing her to feel confident to try new things, experience new aromas, tastes, and smells.  At the moment her aeroplane is a toy, but as se gets wiser it may become a window into the unpredictable; a ‘brace yourself, it’s coming!’ of the edible world. 

She is proud of herself when she has a go, and she is delighted that her favourite ‘have a go spoon’ is there with her.  Perhaps in a way the aeroplane spoon is the security object she needs for her to grow her confidence.  It’s a more mess, more fun, more child friendly way for us to help bub experience new things.  In this scenario it starts with food, but with confidence and encouragement it could lead to so much more.  And the concept itself of encouraging children to ‘have a go’ shouldn’t be forgotten.

You can help your child feel encouraged to ‘have a go’ by providing a safe place where it’s ok to make mistakes.  Children learn through play, and when the play is initiated by the child the learning is authentic and allows the child to make connections about their world.  Since ‘play’ is so important to children, you can use routine times, such as feeding time, to have some fun while your child learns, and help pave the way for these connections. (Harris, G. Foundations for Families, 2006).  Watch their confidence soar (no pun at the aeroplane intended!) as they are presented with opportunities to ‘have a go’.

 The ‘have a go spoon’ works well for my baby, as she is hesitant to try new foods.  All babies are different.  What is your child hesitant of?  And how could you encourage them to have a go?

A.S.

Project Development Worker

Communities for Children

Holiday Boredom Busters!

It’s school holidays!  The kids should be so excited, after all, they have six whole weeks of freedom!  Instead, three solemn figures are lounging about on the couch to the chorus of “we’re bored!”  and “there’s nothing to do!”  ‘Nothing to do?’, you think to yourself, ‘why don’t they just go outside and play?’  If this sounds like your family then you might be looking for some easy games your children can play, perhaps with their friends.  Best of all, none of the following activities require expensive equipment.  So if going to the movies just isn’t in the budget this year, never fear, Old-School Yard Games is here!

What you’ll need

·        Tennis ball

·        Larger ball or balloon

·        Elastic

·        Old Sock or Stocking

·        Marbles

·        Chalk

·        Frisbee

·        Hands, feet, knees, and toes!

·        THAT’S ALL!

Think back to your own holidays as a child.  Did you play elastics?  Perhaps you loved a game of tiggy?  Or you might have even been a wiz at marbles.  Playtime was for running around outside getting dirty and big group games with the neighbours.  The more children the merrier.  If you’d like to re-introduce your children to the simplistic joy of games you used to play in the school-yard then read on and discover just how much fun being outdoors can be!  Better still, why not join in with the kids and have a trip down memory lane while you’re at it J

England Ireland Scotland Wales, inside outside puppy-dog’s tails!  One piece of elastic and two feet later you have one of the easiest games to set up for the kids in the backyard.  Elastics is a great game that can be played solo, using two chairs, or with up to an endless number of friends, just take it in turns or use multiple pieces of elastic.  And just because we at Communities for Children love this game, check out the insert for some sample rhymes!!  You could make up your own rhymes, and these could also be used when playing a game of handclapping, or skipping!

If Elastics isn’t your child’s cup of tea, did you know that the humble tennis ball can also provide hours of fun?  For a game of handball all you need is a piece of chalk to draw up the grid (or use the cracks in the pavement for that matter) and a ball!  Or grab an old sock or stocking and tie the tennis ball inside to make each child their very own flying fox toy.   Swap for a larger ball, or even a balloon for a game of ‘keep it up’ where the object is simple, just keep the ball off the ground!  Join in to help keep score. How many times can you do this? Ten? Twenty? Fifty? Or how about even more! 

If you have a Frisbee lying around the house somewhere, this is all you need for a game of flying goals!  Simply aim to get the Frisbee past the goal of the other person.  Just a tip from me to you, tree’s make fantastic goals!  Or have the kids get a group together and play a winner takes all game of Base-Bee!!  (see insert on how to play this great game!) 

By simply getting your children to use a pack of marbles, a tennis ball, and old sock or stocking, frisbee, balloon, piece of elastic and their own body parts you can encourage them to go outside, have some fun, and save the chorus of “We’re bored” for at least a rainy day. 

Keep an eye out for Old-School Yard Games at your Child’s school this year!  Or contact us for more information or for a pack of ‘have a go’ cards that explain each and every game.

A.S.

Project Development Worker

Communities for Children