DIY Resources at Childcare
See why one Queensland centre makes their own educational resources.
BY HEJIRA CONVERY, KINDICARE
Quality childcare centres offer a wide range of toys, games and activities, and in amongst the readymade resources, there’s definitely a place for DIY.
It’s actually super easy for educators and children to upcycle found objects into amazing playthings, and Goodstart Early Learning Toowoomba – Glenvale Road is one centre that’s really embraced a ‘made-by-us’ approach.
Under the enthusiastic leadership of Centre Director, Eleni Svarnia, this Queensland centre has become more and more invested in handmade resources, to the point where they barely have to buy a thing!
The centre’s ‘waste not, want not’ approach is saving them money, but Eleni explains that the benefits of DIY resources aren’t just budgetary.
This approach has created a ‘can-do’ culture at Goodstart Glenvale Road; and making simple, opened-ended resources has proven to be really positive for children’s development, educators’ resourcefulness and Mother Earth’s wellbeing.
For starters, DIY resources spark the children’s creativity and imagination.
Whether they’re being inspired by a box of random recycled items, or looking to make a specific toy in line with their latest interest, the children at Goodstart Glenvale Road absolutely love taking found objects and getting creative with them.
They flex their fine motor skills and problem-solving skills as they bring their ideas to life, and the educators have seen that kid-made toys are great for children’s imaginative play.
Eleni says, “They use their imaginations to create even more amazing play using the toys we have created. Our children love the toys we create, and play with them every day!”
DIY resources also inspire feelings of pride, appreciation and care amongst the children.
Eleni says, “When the children make something themselves, they respect it more and are proud to show it. Even the very young children understand that it’s theirs and they must not damage the thing they’ve made, or pull it off the wall.”
This creates a positive vibe in the childcare community, with feelings of satisfaction and accomplishment in the mix; and DIY resources also help to build little learners’ social competence when they show respect (and maybe even admiration!) for other children’s creations.
Goodstart Glenvale Road’s educators also see the calming and focusing effect that resource-making has on children’s behaviour.
Eleni says, “The children sit and create together, immersing themselves in what they’re doing, instead of running around, and they’re really happy to follow their interests in this quiet, hands-on way.”
The centre’s focus on DIY resources has also made the team really resourceful.
Eleni’s educators follow the children’s interests, but they also get to flex their own creativity, thinking up fun and functional ideas for toys, activities and games.
And instead of ordering new resources online, Eleni encourages her team to make what they want, with what they have.
Over time, the team has found that they don’t really need to buy that many toys, and when a handmade resource loses its lustre, the educators love how easy it is to replace the item and run with an exciting new idea.
It’s also really great that the resources they make don’t cost the Earth.
The team is saving real money by making their own resources, and they’re also reaping the priceless rewards of a sustainable approach.
Eleni says, “We are a very environmentally-friendly centre, and we teach children to respect the environment and the recycled resources they are provided with.”
Wherever possible, groups use sustainable materials that can be recycled again or left to break down naturally.
And from an early age, the children learn the value of a ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ approach – which is really important for these future custodians of our planet.
For all these reasons, resource-making is a big part of the program at Goodstart Glenvale Road, and it’s something that us families can dive into as well.
As a parent, you don’t need to be naturally creative or incredibly crafty to explore open-ended play and DIY resources with your preschooler.
Eleni says all you really need to do is pay attention to your child’s special interests or new passions, and provide them with an assortment of open-ended materials to work with.
Things like cardboard tubes, cereal boxes, fabric scraps, seed pods and twigs are all very inspiring when you’re DIY-ing, and you might like to set aside some time each week, or fortnight, to make some fun resources with your child.
There’s really no limit to what you can create, but if you’re looking for inspiration, then here are five ideas that have been tried and tested at Goodstart Glenvale Road:
1. A phone
Instead of buying a plastic phone, you can get a block of wood and stick a picture of a phone on the front for your preschooler to make pretend calls with.
2. Police badges
These can be easily made using cardboard in the shape of a badge, with different coloured crepe paper glued to it.
3. Nature’s paint brushes
It’s fun to collect leaves from your local playground, then dip them in paint to create interesting shapes and patterns.
4. A pop-open face toy
Instead of throwing out all those wet wipe packets, you can upcycle the pop-open lids and glue them to cardboard with children’s (or family members’) faces behind them.
5. Sand and water play scoops
If you have a sandpit, or a container with water, an empty yoghurt tub makes a great scoop. There’s also the option of (carefully) poking holes in the bottom for sand or water to flow through.
Whatever you make and however you play, this kind of DIY has a lot of benefits for your little learner.
The whole process of collecting materials, coming up with ideas, making something fun, then making up a whole game to go with it, is guaranteed to be interesting for your early learner.
And while your child is playing with their upcycled item, we recommend that you read this article, which is all about Eleni Svarnia.
Eleni is a very passionate Centre Director, with a great backstory, and if you’re looking for childcare in Toowoomba, her early learning service has so much to offer.
To learn more, and book a centre tour, click the ‘Make Enquiry’ button in their KindiCare listing, and we hope you love their whole childcare offering.
