Small world play
Small worlds usually have a theme (forest, ocean, outer space, dinosaurs etc). They allow the children to recreate a world on a smaller scale using lots of different materials that extend learning and play. We often use garden material and animal figurines that reflect the theme.
There are many elements to a small world. But the most important is the element of fun and imagination. It will get messy and it will need to be reset for the next opportunity for play.
The first step in creating a small world is placement. We use our light table in our classroom. However, we have used our story shelf, a box in the corner and the art table.
Second, a sturdy table, box, or tree stump large enough to have a couple of children (it will be the busiest space).
Third, textures and material. You can use old fabric that reflect natural elements. Blue cloth or silk scarf to make water, green cloth to make grass. This will give your child a visual focus when they are separating their animals into their habitats. We use vase fillers in blue and green to make a pond or ocean for aquatic animals, rocks for a shore, kinetic sand for a beach, old Christmas twinkle lights for stars, black silk for a night sky etc. Natural elements would include twigs, branches, leaves, rocks, acorns, and pinecones. Fresh flowers make for great color and food for the animals.
Why stop at one small world? Much like a story shelf, a small world play area pairs well with story books. The children often read our books in the library and recreate the story using various material to set the scene of the books. This helps engage them in the library center and lets them know the library can be a fun place to visit.
Benefits of small world play: Small world play touches many parts of a child’s life.
Builds language: Encourages children to use language to describe what is going on.
Encourages social emotional skills: Children are moving to cooperative play and practicing skills they are learning through the use of small worlds. They are exchanging language, build vocabulary, negotiating material.
Problem solving: They are thinking how to manipulate their material to fit their play. Meaning they are making connections to the materiel in a purposeful manner. For example: Five bears do not fit in the cave. But how can we fit 5 bears in the cave? Make a bigger cave (math concept).
Math: Math and science go together like peanut butter and jelly. Having a themed small world will introduce a new animal habitat, an ecosystem, or outer space to the children. We add real life material to recreate this world that will allow them to touch a rainforest, see Saturn, or visit the deepest ocean (safely of course). They learn new words like galaxy, trench, atmosphere, and ecosystem. They build creations using blocks, legos, sticks, and other items. This allows them to learn about spacial awareness, quantity, and architectural concepts need to build.
Pre-reading skills: Developing a rich vocabulary is so important for reading. Small world play allows the children to practice the vocabulary they were taught at circle time in their own meaningful way, thus making the connections. They are retelling stories, trying out roles, and are engaged in a way that connects them to learning.
You do not need fancy materiel to create a small world with your child. Let them guide the play and let them gather the material that speaks to them. These items “loose parts” will engage them. Talk with the child to gain understanding on how they view the material available for their play. You will be so surprised on how they view the world.
Our light table is large enough for five children to play at a time. We also do sensory play and build with translucent materiel.
We love the light and dark play areas on the table. The contrast is not unnoticed by the children. They know what items that are see through and which are solid.
We often turn our lights down low so we can get the full effect of our light table space. The children seem to enjoy this quieter space.