transforming spaces

This is what the outdoor soft tarmac play space currently looks like this

texture added to the wall

and the hard tarmac area where the children can't run looks like a garden with plants in bloom and everything growing. There have been some changes in this space I'll blog about them again shortly.

colour added to the tyre planter

The project is drawing to conclusion this week.

windmills on the walls

I await the fixture of the windmills to the wall but here are some photos of the acetate windmills being made:

acetate being marked out and cut for assembling

showing the assembling

In actually fact I have put a nut on the screw before the washer, then the windmill then a washer and then another nut. This to to make sure the windmill sits out from the wall and should increase the life of the acetate windmills.

windmills for outdoor use

Three windmills have been made to sit atop of the narrow pipes on the left hand side of the wall. The idea is that they will look like flowers.

design for small pipes © 2012 Roisin Markham

location on wall for windmills...

I can't wait to see them up and working, plus the golden wheel for the kinetic Sun!

Testing Windmill instructions

As part of the research phase of the project when we explored wind the creative piece was to make a windmill. I brought sample and taught as I went but it was a session that did not work so well and the childcare staff ended up making most of the windmill for the 2.5 - 3.5 year age group. Definitely not what I wanted. I realised that a single sheet with clear lines showing where to cut and where to put the paper was an important step for under 5's to be able to construct a windmill independently and successfully.
Below is the sheet I have designed to go with the Wind resource pack.
I'd love some feedback on working with it with your under 5's please leave them in the comment section or you'll find me on Facebook, Twitter. If you are not under five and want to use it go ahead have some fun. If you think it works well please let me know that to and share it with others.
In the original session we did not use sticks but straws which were fine for instant play but not as effective as I wanted, so I do recommend sticks - perhaps disposable chopsticks might be an option, bamboo canes split too easily, narrow dowels would work well.
Most of all enjoy be creative in the decoration of the square, encourage the children by being clear with them what their next step is. As they construct the windmill watch their fascination -how a flat piece of paper can be come something different. Watch how the wind catches the windmill and how it moves... creative making with children is really important but so is enquiry and getting them to think about. Spark their imagination @ the topic of wind... science, nature.
How to Make a Paper Wind Mill

the garden space

evolving outdoor garden space at Little Daises 2011

 for bugs, muck and magic and kids to discover the world of plants, nature and evolving outdoor play. 

The idea for the development of the garden space was simple with a small budget we have achieved a significant addition to the outdoor space of tarmac and urban walls.

great to see plants settling in well

Thanks to John Kavanagh's in Gorey for the tyres and two the lads doing the building work at the Gorey Community School who delivered the donated soil. The gravel put at the base of the tyres was donated by a local family from an unused quarry on their land. Plants were donated by my Dad (thanks Dad!) and the climbers were purchased locally in a garden centre. I'm awaiting a delivery of two apple trees and some herbs.
There are 5 groupings of tyres with ten small tyres left unplanted. The main criteria for this space was to give the children access to muck... 

Climbers planted to cover back wall and add year round foliage,
flowers and scent. Primulas and spring flowers to the left and two muck
tyres for pure dig, discovery and play. 

clusters of muck planters to give greater access to children for play

first signs of spring with daffodil bulbs shots peaking out,
forget-me-knots settling in well to this pot too

creating a garden

Bridgie's old barrow

I had great company for creating the garden space at Little Daisies. This trusted old wheel barrow bonged to the late great Bridgie Gavin a great aunt it move the muck with mega wobble but got the job done.

what a difference colour makes

 

create Better Space interactive wall. Roisin Markham 2011

The wall currently as it stands. CD cloud with wind based movement and reflective shimmer, pipes spray painted allow for ball and water play plus looking through they have two different widths.

Still to be added kinetic sun and windmills.

Design for wall

Design for create Better Space project. Roisin Markham 2011

This was my design which was shared with staff and children in Little Daises and was approved by the board of Gorey Youth Needs.
The project was originally envisaged for one wall but in fact goes over two walls. It is a work in progress. It will create better space.