# data[].attributes.body
Hey! Here is a good article on indoor learning environments :)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
You don't need a big budget or endless imagination and creativity to set up an engaging and playful indoor learning space - just some out of the box thinking, a little inspiration, regular reflection and most importantly, ongoing conversations with the children so you can hear their thoughts, suggestions and opinions and in the process encourage ownership and pride in their space!

Why are indoor learning spaces and environments important in early childhood?

They can explore and try out new skills?

They can investigate, access materials to direct their own play?

When children enter a well-designed indoor space they know the following...

Simple Ideas for the Indoor Learning Space

Consider the core environmental concepts of sound, movement, visibility, smell, light, texture & colour. Some thoughts for you to reflect on when looking at your spaces......

Book Corner Inspiration

Lauri from our Facebook Group shared this lovely reading area,

Rachael also shared her reading nook in our Facebook Group. How cute are those chairs!

Nicole from Sparrow Early Learning shared this simple baby book area - lots of texture to explore here!

Jane shared her reading area along with a sign that the children helped to make using pages of old books.

Jyacinth shared her easy to set up reading area which is perfect if you have limited space. She used a supersoft blanket, cushions and a basket of books (changed regularly) that the children can easily access.

Aimee's reading corner (also shared from our group) is one that you can easily replicate in your own space.

Reading and soft spaces certainly don't need to be fancy - the children used to love helping me move this old mattress around the house for Family Day Care and help set it up the way they wanted to. It became our mobile book corner...not pretty but they loved it!

Pretend Play / Dramatic Play Areas

I love to set up dramatic play invitations and spaces - big and small!!

Tiffany-Ann Louise from Little Rays of Sunshine Family Day Care shared this sweet home corner space with us.

Natasha shows us how she sets up a pretend play space in her home.

Marie turned a simple table into a checkout - a good reminder to work with what you already have at home.

If you are short on floor space using the wall is a great way to set up a construction themed dramatic play area without using too much room - this photo can be found here.

Ever thought about taking your dramatic play outdoors? Click here for inspiration and ideas to keep it simple!

Block areas can be big or small, on the floor, table or sticky wall, indoors or outdoors....or just the floor! They are such a wonderful resource for all ages...and they don't even need to be 'traditional' blocks!

You can find more ideas for extending block play in this blog post.

TransformED uses mirrors in her block play area.

This storage idea shared on Instagram makes a very inviting block play area

This block storage idea was shared by Early Excellence

Lynda Weggelaar showed us how she presents her loose parts and blocks for play. I love the addition and presentation of the Cd's and the plain wrapped boxes to use as bases and blocks...or whatever the children decide they might be!

Loose Parts Storage Ideas

Sharlene Jury shared her loose parts play/storage area with us - so inviting with interesting open ended materials for children to explore, choose and add to their play.

Love the idea from this site to use recycled boxes to store your recycled loose parts.

Use a corner space for your loose parts storage - source HERE.

Growing Inch By Inch uses baskets and containers for her natural loose parts play storage

So much for little hands to easily access and incorporate into their play! Shared by Clare Louise - The Woodland Child

Easily accessible loose parts treasure baskets for baby play! Shared by Rebecca Wilson

Indoor Space Setups

While it's always helpful to see individual space ideas, I get asked a LOT for inspiration for the whole area and how people bring the smaller spaces indoors together. The pictures below are from our Empowered Educator Facebook group members and give you a great insight into real ways that educators set up their spaces in centre and home based environments.

A beautiful space to belong and connect. Shared by Sarah Hart

Vicki shared her evolving indoor space with us - lots of interesting smaller spaces and invitations to explore here!

Michelle shared this photo of her indoor area - I'm sure we're all a bit jealous of how tidy her toy storage looks!

Lorna shared these snapshots of her indoor spaces - a comfortable chair for adults is a must have (yet often neglected!) essential for early years spaces, especially when working with babies and toddlers!

Shared by Clare Louise - The Woodland Child

Clare takes a very natural, fuss free approach and it certainly looks inviting...

Amy shared with us that she was proud of her room and we don't blame her one bit! Shared by Amy Crombie - Capalaba Kids Early Learning Centre

Reggio Inspired Areas

If you like the Reggio approach perhaps you can find some new ideas in these Reggio inspired spaces.

Sarah Hart shared this engaging space set up for a baby and toddler group

This beautiful space was shared by EverydayinKinder over on Instagram and shows an easily accessible way of encouraging loose parts play.

​ Lilbellies has a beautiful Reggio inspired nature corner.

Journey into the Enquiry put together this investigation and exploration area using mirrors. What else would you add to this table or perhaps take away?

Dolphinclass on Instagram shared their Reggio inspired area. It looks like a place that invites sense of belonging and calm!

Mrs Myers Kindergarten has a lovely natural Reggio style area too.

Montessori Inspired Indoor Spaces

Love the Montessori perspective? Take a look at the inspiration below...

This is a simple Montessori themed play area that was shared on Instagram.

Bruna Masalin shows how you can make a welcoming Montessori area while keeping everything simple.

TransformED shared this Montessori setup idea.

Waldorf Inspired Spaces

This Waldorf inspired Autumn Play corner is an interesting use of a small space. Look at that wooden sewing machine...I want a turn!

A warm and welcoming kitchen play space in the home for children to explore - so many wonderful Waldorf elements incorporated simply here. Click over to Happy Whimsical Hearts to see more photos.

This area is from Natural Beach Living and makes wonderful use of natural light, windows, reflection and colours of nature!

Kelly from happy Whimsical Hearts also takes us on a tour of her daughter's Waldorf Kindergarten and shares some of the reasons why they love it - using her daughter's own words and voice!

If you enjoyed this post why not PIN IT to Pinterest to save for later.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Interesting Indoor Learning Environments for Children

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
You don't need a big budget or endless imagination and creativity to set up an engaging and playful indoor learning space - just some out of the box thinking, a little inspiration, regular reflection and most importantly, ongoing conversations with the children so you can hear their thoughts, suggestions and opinions and in the process encourage ownership and pride in their space!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Maddie | Sensory Play & Kids Activities on Instagram: "We’ve been having some seriously fizzy fun inspired by the @maygibbsofficial classic tales. The boys and I have been enjoying reading ‘Mrs Kookaburra’s Treasury of Bedtime Stories’ together so I knew they would love an activity inspired by a scene in one of the tales.

We collected some natural pieces to represent the characters in the stories, such as gumnuts, blossoms and gum leaves, and froze these in a muffin tin. Once frozen we dipped them in coloured bicarb and then into the vinegar “creek” to start the fizzy reaction.

.
.
.
.

#toddleractivities #diyplayideas #simpleplayideas #stemforkids #bookishplay #flisattable"

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
151 likes, 21 comments - sunshineandsensory on May 9, 2024: "We’ve been having some seriously fizzy fun inspired by the @maygibbsofficial classic tales. The boys and I have been enjoying reading �...". 

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.embed_code
View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Maddie | Sensory Play & Kids Activities (@sunshineandsensory)

# data[].attributes.headline
Stretching Thinking the Art of Questioning 

# data[].attributes.subject
Stretching Thinking the Art of Questioning 

# data[].attributes.body
Here is a link to a great article about stretching thinking through the art of questioning! :)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
I have a question: Stretching thinking through the art of questioning - ABC Kids

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
David Gilkes unpacks how educators and parents can create spaces and relationships for children’s questions to be heard and to grow.

# data[].attributes.body
Here is a great podcast about the importance of positive social and emotional skills.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Pushing 3 to 7 year olds towards early reading, writing or maths will not improve their long-term chances of success, says educator, researcher and parenting commentator Nathan Mikaere-Wallis of X-Factor Education. He says it's far more important to foster positive social and emotional skills.

See terms of use.

Recent stories from Nine To Noon

Podcast (MP3) Oggcast (Vorbis)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
What 3 to 7 year olds need to learn - Nathan Mikaere-Wallis

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Pushing 3 to 7 year olds towards early reading, writing or maths will not improve their long-term chances of success, says educator, researcher and parenting commentator Nathan Mikaere-Wallis of X-Factor Education. He says it's far more important to foster positive social and emotional skills.

# data[].attributes.body
27th May - 3rd June 2024 :)

Just a reminder that we have the Ganga Giri Concert coming out on Wednesday 29th May at 10am.

# data[].attributes.body
There are some great links to explore on here :)