Herp habitats, fairy fireplaces, snail sleeping spots, beetle boats, crayfish kitchens – what small worlds will you create?
“From sand boxes to doll houses to model train sets, children love to create miniature worlds… Through creating miniature representations of ecosystems, or neighborhoods, we help children conceptually grasp the big picture. The creation of small worlds provides a concrete vehicle for understanding abstract ideas.” –Childhood and Nature: Design Principles for Educators by David Sobel
Small Worlds are one of the seven play motifs, or recurring play patterns, David Sobel has identified from observing children playing freely outdoors around the world. Here are some books to spark Small Worlds ideas:
Backyard Fairies by Phoebe Wall
Fairy Houses by Tracy Kane (and her many other fairy house books)
Fairy Houses: How to Create Whimsical Homes for Fairy Folk by Sally Smith
Mighty Min by Melissa Castrillon