This blog is a place to share research, experiences and inspirations around teaching and the world of Early Childhood Education (which I believe includes just about anything and everything creative).
Artwork courtesy of Betsy Walton

By the Children in the Early Learning Centre at Yokohama International School.
"I realize that we (as teachers) learn so much about ourselves and the world around us from the children we teach. Landmark Tower is a huge high rise structure in the centre of Yokohama, Japan. It is seen, by the children, as part of their daily lives and therefore they have a strong relationship with it. Whilst working with a group of four to five year olds on this project, it was my aim as their classroom teacher to look at this Tower in greater detail and explore the children’s theories and understandings of it.”
Continue reading this article written by Theresa Ulett here.

100% linen
36 x 24" of various colors, shapes and sizes.
"We hate to waste precious pieces of material so we have filled a cute bag with Lotta Jansdotter linen fabric remnants in a range of colors and sizes. Each bag is filled with approx. 36x24" of fabric, often more, and each is composed by Lotta herself. There is at least 5 different patterns in each bag and no two bags are alike. They are perfect for quilting projects , collage and for smaller projects such as checkbook covers, pouches and pincushions.
*Please note: We request that this fabric be used for personal use only and not for items made for resale."

"The Paperpod Rocket is a fantastic resource to encourage role-play and stimulate your child's imagination. Your young astronauts can decorate both inside and out before zooming off to distant planets to enjoy their own space adventure."
"Paperpod have developed an innovative concept in creative toys & furniture for children. We have produced a range of environmentally friendly, cost effective, sturdy, and practical designs made from recycled corrugated cardboard.
From our range of chairs to the toy fort, dolls house and play house, the beauty lies in their simplicity. They are a blank canvas for children to play, create & decorate using paint, collage, pens & crayons, limited only by imagination.
Everything can be folded flat - an ideal storage solution. Use in the home, childcare setting or school to create a personal touch. Excellent for children's parties!"
via Periwinklebloom

" I enjoy creating works in the pursuit of my own aesthetic language. Expanding my visual vocabulary will be for me an everlasting pursuit. For this reason I am concerned with the presence of formal qualities in my work - balance, color, composition, contrast, push-pull effect, shape, texture, variety of mark makings, visual weight, and so on. Creating visual movements in relation to the formal elements is also an interesting way for me to increase my vocabulary and develop my language as an artist (what I call an “art enjoyer”)."

feelgood designs "is a company defined by a belief that good design can transform lives and by the principle that ‘children deserve beauty’. We are proud to introduce our first line: PLAY+SOFT.
PLAY+SOFT creates vibrant, safe, stimulating and flexible environments for children to explore and enjoy. From an original idea by Maurizio Fontanili, PLAY+SOFT is the result of a long-term collaboration between designers, architects and the world-renowned educators at Reggio Emilia in Italy, and was inspired by research into the way children interact with their surroundings when at play. But while the inspiration may have been academic, the results are anything but. From play blocks fashioned to look like a giant swiss cheese to a ‘smell tunnel’ designed to delight the senses, each item of furniture bursts with colour and vitality. Perfect for domestic, public and educational settings, PLAY+SOFT embodies one simple idea: children have a right to beauty."

Re-Stick wall decal from Blik.

I have a t-shirt with this animal zoo print on it and the children just love it!
"Compassionate Eye Foundation is an innovative non-profit organization based in Vancouver, British Columbia. We are a group of people, photographers and creative professionals, committed to making a positive difference in the world. We promote education, health, and sustainability in developing nations.

Photographers and their crews produce stock photo shoots on or around June 21st, the Summer Solstice. The royalty revenues generated through image licensing at Getty Images are donated to CEF. This provides a significant portion of our funding model. We also receive private and corporate donations."
"Eco-dough is an all natural alternative. We make it with plant, fruit and veggie extracts! No chemicals, artificial dyes or metals. Our containers are made from cornstarch and 100% compostable. Also it doesn't dry out like name brands. If it's left out overnight just add a few drops of olive oil and it comes right back!"

Colors are raspberry, mango, lemon, lime and blueberry UNSCENTED.
Note: "Based on your child's dietary needs we handmake non-toxic, natural gluten free, soy free and dairy free eco-dough."