Collecting autumn leaves is fun. They are colourful! Crispy and NOISY!
We love crunching them under our feet and watching them fall from the trees.
I take a magazine out with me and slip the leaves between the pages. That way they don’t get broken on the way home.
Once home I slip the magazine under a rug for a couple of days to flatten the leaves.
Then we’re ready to make our Mrs. Spoon.
There are SO many things you can do with Autumn leaves!
First go our and ENJOY them. Let the kids have fun crushing them under foot, jumping in the. Throwing them in the air. Watch. Listen. It’s a fun way to learn so many new words. How do they feel? Which words describe the sounds they make? How many colours can you see?
Then collect and press some in old magazines .
Then they can be used to make spoon people or table decorations or collages or beautiful lamps.
Preparation
It’s a good idea to take an old book out with you when you go collecting because fallen leaves curl up very quickly. If you take a book then you can slip the leaves between the pages. Then, on returning home, the book can be placed under something heavy or between other books on the bookshelf until you are ready the use the leaves.
On today’s programme (click on the link below) you will see how to make models and pictures and a lantern but there are lots more things you can do and there will be more ideas in our next programme. The programme is designed to inspire and motivate young children and is introduced by the JUMBLES puppets. Watch it together and then …have fun!
Click here for the AUTUMN LEAVESg programme
Kids love gardens and one like this is so fun to make and takes virtually no maintenance apart from watering. They will really enjoy making new items for the garden and changing the theme as the seasons change.
It is a very good way of teaching about plants and germination and seasons plus they will hopefully develop a sense of responsibility caring for their little garden.
We don’t have a garden so I created this on a patch of tarmac at the bottom of the steps.
I simply laid a sheet of plastic over the tarmac raised up around the borders on bricks. This made a hollow in the centre which I filled with compost.
I planted a mixture of real and artificial plants . Some planted directly into the compost. Others in small plant pots.
The garden was made in the spring and has survived high winds, rain, drought and temps. of 40+
Last week I changed the theme to Autumn by adding lots of fir cones, dry leaves and little Veggie characters.
Creativity
Why is it important to develop a child’s creative thinking skills? Because it’s probably the most important skill they will ever learn!
Developing creative thinking is about developing self esteem and self confidence. It is about developing a love of learning. Of having the means to deal with the confusion, risks and failures that are part of everyday life. The confidence to lead and to be different from the crowd.
I believe that all children are creative by nature but, unfortunately, many lose their creativity before reaching adulthood. In our education and social system where examination success, conformity and peer pressure reign supreme, creativity is often squashed or at least buried.
Creative thinking is vital in all areas of life. It is a skill which will give your children the edge over others in their chosen career enabling them to be the person who initiates new procedures rather than one of the majority who follow already established routines. It opens the door to new opportunities and new inventions.
So how do we recognise a creative thinker?
A creative thinker is able to think 'out of the box'. They are curious and questioning and not afraid of making crazy suggestions knowing that there may be many possible answers. They make mistakes and learn from these mistakes being happy to try and try again. Creative thinkers don’t feel guilty about daydreaming knowing that often this is when the best ideas are born and when they realise these new ideas they put every ounce of energy into making them a sucess. They are optimistic, have boundless energy and, despite accomplishing a great deal, still have free time to enjoy their family and hobbies. Last, but not least. They enjoy life, their work and are never bored!
‘Jumble Fun’ aims at developing creative thinking by:
Asking open ended questions:
The stories and programmes from Jumble House use narrative which includes open ended questions which require more than a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer. “What do you think we should use to make …?” “what would happen if …?” “What could we change…..?” “What choices do you have….. ?” They encourage children to think for themselves. To see that often there are many possible answers not just one. To think 'out of the box'.
Making choices
The programme encourages children to make their own choices. To make decisions and try them out. If their choices fail to achieve the desired result they are encouraged to try again. From this they learn to view making mistakes as a new beginning and not as a failure or the end of a project.
Story telling and dramatic play
There are opportunities for children to make their own ‘Jumbles’ and to weave stories around them. They are encouraged to daydream. To make up stories. To tell stories. To present their stories in many different ways , as story boards, picture stories, puppet shows or in video format. All the movies, pictures and stories featured on 'Jumble Fun' are produced using only an iPad and basic, usually free apps so children are able to obtain a similar product easily at home.
Creating
The ‘Jumble’ characters enjoy inventing and making things from well, …… jumble! In other words, from ordinary, everyday household items and objects they can collect in their local environment. Using the characters as inspiration and role models, children will become collectors and inventors, viewing ordinary objects as blank canvasses on which to stamp their own individuality. Hopefully they will also become more conscious of the environment and conservation.
Challenges
The Sunday Challenges present children with a range of challenges. They may be art and craft challenges like 'what can you make from ….. ?' or creative thinking challenges, ' Why was the fridge empty?' or “How many uses can you think of for ……” or perhaps a word association game to play. Whatever the subject these activities encourage children to think creatively.
Fun !
Fun is important ! Learning should be fun.
The JUMBLES are fun and they encourage your child to have fun being creative and being active in mind and body. To be inquisitive. To ask questions. To be independent and resourceful. To enjoy learning.
Georgie Jumble is on holiday in Umbria, Italy.
She is staying with her Italian cousins and her Nonna
(which is Italian for 'Gran') in a charming hill top, medieval
village called Castel Rigone above Lake Trasimeno.
It is Georgie's first morning in 'Jumble House'.
She sits up and rubs her eyes.
The bedroom is bathed in a golden light and there,
peeping round the door are …………
……….. all of her cousins !
'Ciao !' 'Buon giorno !' they squeak excitedly.
'We have been waiting for you to wake up !' says Bianca
'Si! ' says Rosa, 'We want to show you our village!'
Georgie jumps out of bed and runs to the window .
The sun is rising behind the hills.
'It's so beautiful,' exclaims Georgie.
For breakfast Georgie has a cornetto and cappuccino.
The cornetto is like a
croissant filled with a creamy custard.
Then it's time to explore the village.
Just down the road is a huge church.
Madonna dei Miracoli
Georgie turns the latch on the door and they quietly walk
inside.
Georgie feels very small.
The church is so big and the ceiling so high!
Even the paintings are bigger than her!
Her cousins tell her that this is a very special church. It is a sanctuary because a
miracle happened here many years ago.
'What's a miracle?' asked Georgie.
'We will tell you the story later,' says Fabio
Then they explore more of the village.
For more information and slideshows on Castel Rigone and Umbria visit:
Take a look at this video on YouTube:
http://www.loveumbria.co.uk/?p=558
Creative Learning for Young Children 