Since discovering how good our Step2 water table is as a centre for Small World play, I've been keen to come up with different scenarios to stimulate his imaginative play. Using Happyland style toys has always been difficult for him, as it is for many other children. Contrary to popular belief children don't always know how to play, especially with imaginative toys promoting role-play; they do need guidance to show how they can re-enact situations they encounter. And likewise the benefits of Small World play are massive as it allows them to work through stories from books, real-life events or the concepts on a television programme for example.
When I set out a Small World scene, I usually have the characters doing something which prompts The Boy to continue their actions and provides a play opportunity straight away. I allow him to play freely for a short amount of time first of all before stepping in and (teacher talk now) 'facilitating his play', gently guiding the direction and providing him with scenarios to process. We play together for another five-ten minutes and then I step back and let him play freely.
He's still not great at engaging to be honest, and that might just be because he isn't geared towards imaginative play at the moment. However, I'm not going to stop providing him with the opportunities and encouraging him.
Small World: Building Site
I have used the Happyland construction site we've had for some time, along with a few other diggers that we have, and placed the crane on the lower level. I poured sand all around the bottom to hide the plastic base, then put sand on the upper level and a pile of gravel (this is actually spare fishtank gravel) in a corner to be moved by the diggers. I placed the various play figures and vehicles around the table, engaging each on in an action.
He had great fun with this and spent ages scooping up the gravel, pouring it into the back of a vehicle and then transferring this down to the crane.
In total this activity took ten minutes to set up, and provided hours of fun.
Oh wow this small world stuff looks amazing, and the construction toys look like so much fun, I think my little man would love this if we didn't have about 19 different tractors and diggers in the house as it is 🙂
Laura x
I love this. I have a large seed tray that I plan on using for something similar
Ooooohh I love this! Our tuff spot 'thing' arrived today and I can't wait to start having fun. Just need some construction workers now!
What a wonderful place to play! There is so much to do in this job site.
This is brilliant and such its a well thought out scenario. i can imagine any child enjoying playing with all those toys and props. in fact i think a lot of adults would too!!! It always makes me laugh when my two play with their toy animals/people/vehicles because they put on such high pitched voices !!
Loving the look of this. Great for young aspiring builders!
I love your imagination!
I love that, it's such a cool idea. Z hasn't discovered construction toys like this yet but think maybe next summer!
What a great idea! I bet the Boy really enjoyed himself with such a fantastic construction site.
This looks excellent x
That's fabulous.
We took the boys Bob The Builder toys to my sister in laws recently, not realising they had a new stoney area in their garden. The boys were in playtime heaven! We have too many cats around our neighbourhood to set anything like this up.