Creating Wonder

Using Natural and Recycled Materials

Jenny Aitken, Jan Hunt, Elizabeth Roy & Bess Sajfar
Published in 2016 by Teaching Solutions

PO Box 156, Blairgowrie 3942

Phone: +61 3 5988 0668
Fax: +61 3 5988 0909
Email: info@teachingsolutions.com.au
Website: www.teachingsolutions.com.au

Copyright Jenny Aitken, Jan Hunt, Elizabeth Roy & Bess Sajfar 2016

ISBN 978-1-925145-09-0

Design and page make-up by Tom Kurema

Cover design by Tom Kurema
Printed in China by WKT Company Limited

All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the Australian Copyright Act 1968 (for example a fair dealing
for the purposes of study, research, criticism or review), no part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a
retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission. Copyright own-
ers may take legal action against a person or organisation who infringes their copyright through unauthorised
copying. All inquiries should be directed to the publisher at the address above.

06-2016

2
Contents
Acknowledgements iv

Preface v

Part 1
The wonder of natural and recycled materials 1

Part 2
Make believe in miniatures 9

Part 3
Inspired creations 21

Part 4
Natures wonders 33

References and other resources 47

 Acknowledgements
A special thanks to all the children and their families
who gave us permission to use their photographs.
Many thanks to the following organisations, centres
and staff, who shared their memorable learning
journeys and lovely photographs:
Altona North Childrens Centre
Amici Westbourne Early Learning Centre
Coburg Childrens Centre
Cornish College
Frameworks Recycling Services
Jindi Woraback Childrens Centre
Milleara Integrated Learning and Development
Centre for Children
Olive Phillips Kindergarten
Werribee Open Range Zoo
Woodville Park Kindergarten
Thanks to Clive Davies for the photographs on pp.
1316.
Thanks to all our families, friends and students for
their ongoing support.
We are also grateful to the following individuals for
their generosity and kindness Andrew, Anka, Anna,
Anthony, Chris, Clive, Colin, Danica, David, Jess,
Kristina, Maja and Maureen.
We would also like to thank our editor Ruth Siems,
Barney Rivers and team from Teaching Solutions.

Jenny, Jan, Elizabeth & Bess

Recycled plastic hose with coloured water

and reused ceramic baking beads make an
intriguing hoop for babies and toddlers to
explore.

iv
Preface
This book celebrates educators who aspire to create
wonderful learning opportunities for their children in
environments where they are free to wonder, explore,
create and imagine environments that invite
curiosity through the reimagined use of materials and
a valuing the natural world.

v
 Part 1
The wonder of natural and
recycled materials
This book celebrates using natural and recycled materials to support children as
they experience wonder from the creative play and learning opportunities that
develop from using these materials.
As you turn the pages, we hope that you will feel inspired by the visual images
from current childrens services. The ideas may motivate you to create play and
learning environments that delight young children.

1
Creating Wonder

The wonder of natural and recycled resources

It is vital that early childhood education programs
enable young children to interact with resources
from the natural world. The joy of seeing, touching,
smelling, tasting and listening to resources that
come from natural environments helps to connect
children to nature.
Early childhood educators play a significant role in
encouraging children and families to respect and
care for their natural world. While children learn
from collecting and using materials from nature,
it is also important to consider the impact of
removing objects from natural environments.

We can extend play and learning by incorporating

recycled objects and materials to create wonderfully
inviting environments that encourage exploration,
sustain thinking and spark the imagination.
Including natural and recycled resources in both
indoor and outdoor learning environments helps
children:
use all of their senses leading to rich learning
opportunities
learn to appreciate and respect the natural world
explore ways of negotiating risk, e.g. taking care
when walking on uneven surfaces and climbing
over rocks and logs
enjoy searching for found objects and materials to
treasure

d evelop and use their

imagination as they engage in
open-ended play experiences
learn about reusing materials
use problem-solving skills,
imagination and creativity as
they interact with open-ended
materials

2
 The wonder of natural and recycled materials

Examples of natural and recycled treasures

Children learn to be innovative as
they think about and experiment with
open-ended natural and recycled
resources. Educators can provide
environments in which children take
time to discover treasures and create
magic and wonder through their
play and learning. Through the use of
reused and natural materials, these
environments can be created in a cost
effective way.

Reuse photos from old calendars, postcards

and books on nature as a provocation for
childrens creations. In this nature art drawer,
the child is designing his own art work using
sand and tree cuttings.

Natural and reused materials
can encourage young
children to observe, explore,
and investigate different
materials.
Learning outcome 4:
Children are confident
involved learners
Children develop a range
of skills and processes
such as problem solving,
inquiry, experimentation,
hypothesising,
researching and
investigating. Educators
promote this learning, for
example, when they:
p
 rovide babies
and toddlers with
resources that offer
challenge, intrigue
and surprise, support
their investigations and
share their enjoyment
(EYLF p. 35)

A salvaged gift box sealed shut with a small

opening for tiny hands then filled with
recycled scarves knotted together creates a
learning environment full of surprises.

3
Creating Wonder

A simple mobile
in a babies room
made by hanging
pinecones.

Found treasures from a nature

walk with discarded treasures
such as beautiful scarves and
leftover chicken wire can form
the basis of creative weavings.

Recycled jars plain and decorated

make a bright spring display with
the addition of jonquils from the
childrens garden.

Fabric remnants were used to

construct this simple floor rug,
providing interesting changes
in texture to explore.

Tea for two ... Pretty

teacups and teapots
can be purchased from
Shoe boxes take on a new life a fabric- op shops. These sweet
covered bassinet for teddy and a contact- treasures can create
covered pull-a-long car. interest.

4
 The wonder of natural and recycled materials

Rescued stainless steel pots and metal spades invite

children to use this attractive outdoor sand space.
Growing succulents and vegetables encourages children
to care for living things.

This colourful mosaic construction at Jindi Woraback

invites a child to explore its smooth surfaces.

Reclaimed jars make great paintbrush containers

ensuring bristles dry separately and are not squashed.

Small metal bowls with handles make lovely containers

to display interesting recycled makeup jars that children Enabling staff to buy
can choose to access and add to their play.
low-cost resources
It is so important to empower staff to engage
in sustainable practices. Jindi Woraback, St
Treasures can often Albans, has a management team that give
be found at op shops, staff a yearly petty cash allowance per room
like this lovely gift box to purchase resources including recycled
that provides storage objects and materials from low cost sources.
for natural materials.
They also have a yearly evening fete where
each room has a stall any profits are spent
by staff and children on resources.

5
Creating Wonder

Recycled and natural materials provide exciting

opportunities to explore science-related concepts.
Children can investigate the nature of materials and
explore how objects move.

Children are using torches

and recycled objects to
An innovative resource made from cardboard, wood, explore the movement
blind cord and a film canister creates a fascinating pulley of light and to create
system. shadows.

6
 The wonder of natural and recycled materials

Wonder with light

This stunning light
display at Amici
Westbourne ELC
uses the natural
form of twigs to
create a lovely focal
point in the room.

An inviting play
space is enhanced
by adding light to
a mirrored cubby.
Recycled pruned
twigs soften and
add interest to the
roof.

Lighting can create a calming

These fascinating lava
atmosphere in which children can lights, found in an op
reflect and share their ideas and shop, are run by battery
thoughts with others. Light can create a safe alternative to
a focus, calmness and invitation to electricity.
magic and wonder.
Curtis & Carter 2015, p. 55

Educators and children from Jindi Woraback used unwanted

woollen yarn to create this artistic lampshade using the woollen
mache technique (papier mache with yarn and not paper).

Ambiance can
be created
by using safe
battery-operated
tea lights
with recycled
coloured jars.

These windup
dancing robots
were promotional
items from a
business conference.
Their movements
are enhanced by
the glow from the
light-box.

7
Creating Wonder

Links to the EYLF & NQS

T he Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) (DEEWR 2009) and the Guide to the National
Quality Standards (NQS) (ACEQA 2011) endorse the use of natural materials and natural
outdoor environments in early childhood settings.
The EYLF states Environments that support learning are vibrant and flexible spaces
They foster an appreciation of the natural environment, develop environmental
awareness and provide a platform for ongoing environmental education (pp.1516).
Outcome 2 (EYLF p. 29) encourages children to become socially responsible and show
respect for the environment. Educators can facilitate this outcome by arranging learning
environments that create wonder and provide exciting opportunities where children can
choose from a rich array of open-ended natural and recycled materials.
The NQS Quality Area 3, Standard 3.3 (p. 198) states that each service must take an active
role in caring for its environment and so contribute to a sustainable future.
It is so important that all educators are empowered to promote sustainable practices
through the materials and resources they provide within their physical learning
environments. These resources encourage divergent thinking.

Recycling centres
Retail outlets that deal in excess stock from
manufacturers and store liquidations are
wonderful sources of low-cost recycled
materials
Chris from Frameworks Recycling Services
owns one of these outlets. He has a
background in the early childhood field and
has an eye for collecting suitable resources.
Frameworks Recycling Services
10 Davies Ave, Sunshine North, Vic.
0411 619 229