Wednesday, April 18, 2007

Field guides

It must be caterpillar time, because we are finding them all over the yard. Our guidebooks--bought secondhand, one at a time for holidays--are a resource we use every week.
I'd love to do a seasonal nature table like the Waldorf folks. Here's my question: how do you keep one at child level if you have smaller children who will pull up and eat the contents?

7 comments:

Shannon said...

I've been trying to think through this same problem. We have a sofa table that is about the right height for Levi and Brenna and, so long as things are pushed toward the back of the table, Jack can't quite reach them. I just cleared it off the other day to make it a space for lego building (although sometimes the big kids want Jack to do demolition!), but I think I'll find a new spot for legos and do something "nicer" on the table since it's very visable and really part of the living room, not the playroom.

Anonymous said...

How about a shadow box? Both children can enjoy looking at their treasures yet they are not open to being eaten or grabbed.
Good Luck,
Gretchen

Queen of Carrots said...

If you find out, let me know! I wonder the same thing about Montessori-style open shelves of work. My kids love nothing more than taking everything within reach out and incorporating it all into a grand feast or shopping expedition or just something to stand on.

Anonymous said...

FYI, Peterson also publishes a field guide color-in book. The butterflies one I have has 150 stickers for color reference, excellent line drawings and info on that species and its habbitat. Mine is 64 pages printed on heavy paper. I think I paid $5 for it from CBD. I purchased it as a gift for my naturalist daughter. I remember seeing birds, insects, trees, and wilflowers color-in books as well. -Melissa

Mimi said...

What a creative mom you are! I have no idea how to solve the dilemma of smaller children who might dabble in
the nature display. What about setting it at adult level and then helping your older kids get up and see it once or twice a day?

TheNormalMiddle said...

We keep a nature BOX. I use a clear shoebox from walmart for .88 and we put our treasures in there. It is see thru and easily accessible but keeps the little hands OUT of it !!!

Anonymous said...

What a great question...one I have been wondering about as well. I have older boys that I would trust to play with the nature table things (arranging and re-arranging) gently, but I also have a two year old who is constantly destroying things they make. Looking forward to lots of suggestions. And thanks for the mention about my garbage table score!