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.
these are very nice & I love the reflections of the trees in them. I had the shape ones before & they lasted really well outdoors.
Another good post on bring the learning outside for the older children, will share with my primary colleagues, Kierna
I think it’s important that children accessing the formal curriculum have a variety of options outside as well as in to help with basic literacy skills. This is a nice addition and another accidental discovery!
It’s not just your ideas Juliet (which are always awesome btw) but it’s the way you write about the learning that emerges. The things you notice and the way you write is always so thought-provoking for me. Thank you for being such a fabulous teacher!
seems so obvious when you say it, we just bought these but haven’t taken them outside yet, can’t think why not!!
Oh this happens to me too, all the time. I get a lot of inspiration, thankfully from other practitioners and other blogs!
I would like to know prices for alphabets and numbers for our nursery
Thank you
vevene Stewart
Thanks for your enquiry. The Cosy prices are £20.79 for the large number set and £6.79 for the smaller number set.
The alphabet letters cost £45.29 for the large set and £13.99 for the small set.
If you want to order these, then you will need to go directly to Cosy – tel 01332 370152 or email orders@cosydirect.com as I’m not connected to Cosy.
Buy mirror paper and inexpensive wooden letters and just peel the sticker and tada! Inexpensive resource