An A to Z of enhancements: I is for Intrigue

It is often commented upon by visitors that our children are busy and engaged in their play, yet there is a calm atmosphere. This is achieved through various factors, including staff interactions and expectations. It is also the carefully thought-out continuous provision with access to open-ended resources and loose parts that children can assign their own interpretations to during their play. Intriguing enhancements can enable children to develop communication and language skills by discussing them with their peers and staff.

Intriguing objects can appear in any area of the continuous provision indoors and outdoors, but I have found that the children enjoy it when we add an exciting hub to the environment where new objects appear every day, few days, or weekly. From time to time we evaluate the environment and judge whether certain features are used effectively by the children or not. For example, we transformed a built-in cupboard by removing the shelves and doors and made it into a ‘Cave of Wonders’ by creating a papier mâché stone outer wall and painting it black inside. Some popular special enhancements appeared, such as an old suitcase filled with sand and hidden treasures.