We have been learning about polar animals this term

Inspired by watching Snow Babies

Snow Bears and

Snow Chicks

Along with a documentary about Siberian tigers

Seeing the children engrossed in the documentaries

Motivated me to set up two small world play areas

One to be the Antarctic

The other The Arctic

Using our tuff spot

A bed sheet

With toys and household items

I set to work

The South Pole

For the base I used a blue sheet

To add colour and texture I used chiffon scarves

Blues, whites and purples

To add different levels for play

I used plastic boxes

Some of our Grimms Elements

Stacking Stones

And other wooden toys

I used ocean coloured toys

To add depth to the scene

Bowls that could be filled to make pools

And turned upside down to make ice and land

I used Bacofoil trays for floating ice

All the different small parts

Added interest and inspired different ways to play

Glass beads were used to add sparkle and shine

Scarves made waves in the ocean

Penguins and seals played in the polar playground

Fact and fiction books were placed in the play area

So that the children could act out stories

Or add true facts to their made up play

All the children loved exploring this land

They played together and individually

Even Edie had a go

After the children had explored Antarctica

They helped me to set up The Arctic

The North Pole

To our pretty pink tuff tray

I added flour and salt

To create a multi layered landscape

We used transparent plastic bowls

And Bacofoil trays

We then added all our arctic animals

Polar bears and cubs

An arctic fox

The arctic hare

William was wonderful at narrating his play

Sounding like Kate Winslet from Snow Bears

Describing the amorous males

Following the female polar bear and her cubs

Describing how polar bears hunt their pray

It was wonderful to see them using their knowledge in their play

Flour and salt make lovely sensory snow

Soft to touch with a hint of an icy sparkle

To make it special for Bea

We added some Frozen characters

Which Esther and William really enjoyed playing with too

It is such a privilege watching children play

I have loved watching penguin parents care for their egg

Penguin chicks huddle together for warmth

Polar bear cubs learn to hunt

Anna and Elsa making friends with an arctic fox

I have loved listening to Esther make up stories for Bea

It has been magical seeing them use the resources I have laid out

In different ways

Creating their own settings and scenes

William loved burying creatures in the snow

Bea loved the feel of the cold glass beads

Esther loved making all the characters talk

So many ways to play

And so much to learn

We have talked lots about how animals survive in the cold

The journeys polar animals have to make to feed their young

We have talked about life cycles and food chains

Habitats and weather

We have also exercised our sensory muscles

And enjoyed the feel of the snow

The different textured materials

This has been a lovely way to while away some wintry hours

And to add an extra dimension to our learning

Through our play

Here is another way to play with sensory snow

Enjoy!!