Cosy Direct Blog

Number lines Adding number lines to the end of your ramps, channels and tunnels will encourage children to explore number and length. You can start off very simple by creating your own number line from 1-3 and then gradually extend this until the children are ready to start measuring in cms or inches using meter rulers or measuring tapes.  The beauty...

Last week I told you that schemas are my secret to creating invitations that engage and entice young children. This is because children have an innate curiosity about the world and how things work; through repeated patterns of play children explore, theorise and learn. Recently I have been adding ramps, channels and tunnels to many of the invitations I provide...

A question I get asked time and time again is how to encourage children to play with open-ended materials. Often, we go on training for loose parts play and we buy the open-ended resources but the children’s response to them just doesn’t live up to the expectation we had. If this sounds like you then don’t worry because there is...

Written by Creative STAR Some practitioners work in settings and schools where they cannot leave equipment out overnight. Usually storage space is pretty tight too. Thus I wanted to look at ways of creating simple, portable water walls which children could create themselves. Many years ago I did class cover in a large city school with mainstream and additional support...

By Creative STAR The daffodils are beginning to make an appearance in North-East Scotland. This beautiful plant is a welcome sign of spring’s arrival and a great opportunity to celebrate its old and new traditions and folklore. Here are some ways to enjoy and explore the beauty of daffodils. Narcissus is the botanical name for the daffodil genus. Narcissi is...

By Creative STAR When I advised schools and preschools about planters, containers and raised beds, I would do this from a practical learning and play perspective. There are some advantages to container planting: A well-loved and looked after planter, pot or container can transform the look and feel of an outdoor space or school grounds, especially ones which are mainly...

Spring is here and we’re excited here at Cosy! Here are some of our favourite ways to share Spring with Children! Floral play Nothing quite says Summer is on its way like floral play. Whether it’s adding petals and grass to the mud kitchen, using petals in the water tray, or making paint with crushed petals, incorporating flowers in various...

British Science week is a ten day celebration (March 10th-19th ) of science, technology , engineering and maths. The theme this year is connections. This blog will share ten creative and engaging ways to utilise Cosy's Potion Making Set to get involved this year. 1.Cooking role play  Following a recipe is a great way to build those mental connections between ingredients...

Self esteem can be defined as the way in which all of us, adults and children alike, perceive ourselves. High self esteem is associated with confidence, good mental health and a sense of belonging, all things we strive to nurture in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Our intention is for children to become questioning, curious and independent learners who...

Written by Creative STAR When learning about nature and wildlife, experiential outdoor sessions need to happen. We need children to play and to practice key skills so that observing and understanding birds is a key focus of our time.  Over the decades , a number of outdoor educators such as Joseph Cornell, Steve Van Matre, Thom Henley and Jon Young...