Generally speaking, I’m not one for commercially bought alphabet resources. When I first decided to get into learning and play outside, I bought a set of alphabet tiles which I’ve rarely used. I’ve other bits and pieces too which tend to remain dormant.

However I’m fascinated by mirrors and their potential for exploring and viewing spaces and places in different ways. I also work with a number of children who enjoy looking at themselves in mirrors. So I did wonder about alphabet mirrors and what would happen if we had these outside.

Firstly, one class helped add string and decided where the mirror letters should be hung in the garden.

This was interesting in that the children tended to pick places very close to my example. I had expected more of a strategic approach with letters being hung everywhere.

This didn’t seem to matter for the next class. The younger children really enjoyed looking for the different letters. It was a harder task than anticipated. Unlike most commercial alphabets, the letters often mirrored their surroundings in a peculiar camouflaged sort of way.

It was a calm, grey, overcast day so we didn’t get the flash of sun reflecting off the mirrors. Instead we had to look and wonder.

When the letters were laid on open ground, we definitely got a brighter look owing to the sky.

All-in-all I think these letters may well remain a source of interest to children and be used in all sorts of playful ways. I got my set from Cosy.

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