Nursery World - Little treasures

As soon as babies are born they explore the world around them using all of their senses. Children are often surrounded by plastic and other man-made materials; by introducing natural materials you can encourage their interest in the natural world and awareness of their surroundings and the outside world.

to 12 months

When offered access to new objects, babies immediately demonstrate their natural curiosity by 'playing' with the objects. Playing, as well as giving them a great deal of pleasure, is an exciting and stimulating way to spend time and learn. Babies should have opportunities to play in as many different ways and with as wide a variety of objects as possible.

Elinor Goldschmied conceived the idea of a 'treasure basket' for babies aged between six and nine months or for those who are able to sit up on their own but unable to crawl. The treasure basket is a collection of everyday and natural objects. It aims to offer stimulus through the five senses. Babies are able to appreciate texture, shape and weight when using the treasure basket. Their appreciation of sound will be stimulated by items that ring, scrunch, tinkle or can be banged. The basket should contain objects of various colours, form, length and reflectivity. A variety of scents can be introduced, and limited tasting is also possible. The adult supervising the babies should allow them to play undisturbed.

Creating a basket

Ensure the baby is seated comfortably with a cushion support if needed.
The basket should be placed somewhere away from the distractions of older children.
Use a 'safe space' which allows the adult to sit back while still offering security to the baby.
Choose a variety of objects from the list below.
Fill the basket to the brim, allowing the baby plenty of scope to sort through and select what is appealing.

Play tips

All objects should be washable and washed regularly with warm soapy water.
All objects should be checked for safety before each play session.
Ensure there are no sharp edges, no loose parts, and no over-ripe fruit.
Check that nothing has been added to the basket that could be swallowed.
The baby should be able to sit unsupported at the basket, but a cushion nearby gives added security.
It is suggested that the basket should be no less than 35cm in diameter and 10cm high, with no handles, and it should be strong enough for the baby to lean on without it tipping up.
Use the basket in a safe and comfortable quiet area.
Add new items regularly.

Experiences

On a baby gym, hang a variety of items for the baby to reach, tap, kick and push.
Place some of the natural items around the baby's play mat to encourage stretching and reaching.
If baby has a bouncy swing, attach some large bells, a few wooden spoons and a plug on a short chain to the swing so they tap or beat them together. At the top of the swing hang a few items from the basket to catch the baby's attention.
In a basket, place a variety of the metal objects. Place two large empty metal tins beside the basket. This will allow the baby to move items from the basket to the tins, listening to the sounds, or to choose items to bash or rattle against the tins.
Place out a wooden box or bowl full of wooden items for the babies to explore.
On a large piece of fur or felt material, place feathers, cotton balls and pom-poms. Allow the babies time to explore and experiment when and how they want to and with what they want to.

One to two years

As a baby begins to crawl and explore new horizons, the treasure basket may lose some of its wonder and appeal. But you can create new and stimulating experiences which extend the basket experience.
The toddler can be encouraged to pick up, hold, shake, grasp, wave and bang items from the basket. Children at this stage need to be supervised carefully and they will look for interaction and involvement from the adult. The adult and child can now 'play in partnership'. This two-way relationship can have an important effect on learning.

Play tips

Observe the type of exploration toddlers carry out and the particular materials they are drawn to.
Look for the development of hand/eye co-ordination, concentration and the ability to learn independently.
The adult should supervise but be quiet, stay in the background and avoid interfering.

Experiences

Hang a curtain pole on the wall at eye height for a toddler who is sitting. Attach a variety of 'treasures' to the pole using chains or ribbons. Encourage the toddlers to explore the items by sitting them near it. Once they have become interested, move away. A mirror behind the pole adds extra interest.
Similarly, hang another pole at a height which 'near walkers' can grasp and reach items attached to the wall above or beside it.
Use a paddling pool full of treasure items for the toddlers to sit among and explore or that they can select and gather in an individual container (small hand baskets).

Two to three years

As young children investigate and explore the world around them, they should be encouraged to take control of their learning. In their play, each new experience will involve them in a variety of learning processes, and involvement with the treasure basket materials will support the development of skills. This extended basket play will lead into heuristic play which will be explored in our next article (10 February).

Play tips

Natural objects can be highlighted in their natural environment, on woodland walks or in the park.
Wooden furniture can be brought to the children's attention around the playroom.
Invite the children to bring in something metal from home.
Let children experience leather, rubber, fur, paper and cardboard textures during other play experiences such as art and craft.

Experiences

Encourage the children to choose an item from the basket and name it. Let them bury their treasure for you or someone else to find.
Choose five or six items and place two of each into a treasure basket. Take each item, naming it, and ask the child to find another the same. For example, ask the child to find all the 'spoons' which are 'the same as'.
In the sandbox half-hide five or six items of 'treasure'. Challenge the children to look and identify what they see. As they do this, allow them to gather the 'treasure' in a little basket and then explore it.
Create a 'tactile' box. Let children watch you place items from the basket into the box. Invite them to feel the items in the box, choose one and attempt to identify by touch. It is not important that they get it correct, but that they attempt and experience the touch.
Choose three or four items from the list. Place them on a wooden tray and let the children play with them. Explain that you will cover the tray with some material, then hide one of the items. Remove the cover and urge the children to identify the missing item.
Using a set of photos of each item in the basket, offer a child a photo, ask them to name it and then find it among the treasures.
Make small muslin bags and place a small item of treasure inside each, for the children to feel and identify what is inside.