Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Magic basket

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The magic basket is indeed that. Magic. The contents fascinate and puzzle Saskia. She ponders, investigates, peruses, experiments. She turns an object over, and turns it back, turns it over, turns it back. With those sweet sausage fingers. So delicate and clumsy all at once.

We've been bringing it out once a day when she is happy and well rested. She likes to pull out most of the items and switches between objects quickly. She keeps coming back to a favoured few: the whisk, the avocado stone (!), a small cylindrical cardboard box, the strainer and a small wooden heart decoration. All of them are inspected from every angle, tested in the mouth, waved about in the air.

I sit and watch, sometimes naming objects, offering occasional words of encouragement. Mostly I just watch and marvel. I let her explore her 'treasures' in her own time, her own way. I wish I knew what she was thinking.

She has sat and played happily with her basket for up to 50 minutes at a time. Concentrating hard for most of that time. Pretty magic, no?

*For more information on magic/treasure baskets and heuristic play see this article, and check out the blog posts from some lovely Mamas, I previously mentioned, here and here.

20 comments:

  1. Thanks for the post lady. Love the pictures too. She's such a beautiful girl. What age did you first give it to her? I'll have to start putting one together for Phiney xx

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    1. I only gave her the basket about a week ago (around 7 months). I don't think there is a particular age you should start to use it, just as long as your little one can sit unassisted.

      Yes, definitely start putting one together now! The hunt is fun, but it is surprising how long it takes to collect a good stash of 'suitable' things (we tried to stick to natural materials).
      x

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  2. Such a great idea. Those chubby fingers are the cutest! Kellie xx

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    1. They crack me up. I could watch her busy hands all day x

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  3. Ah the simple things! "Her sweet sausage fingers, so delicate and clumsy" made me smile xx

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    1. Totally! I mean, an avocado stone?! Of all things!

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  4. There is so much wonder and beauty in the simple things aren't there? Beautiful photos. x

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    1. Katrina, I can just watch her undertake her investigations for hours. It's mesmerising x

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    1. She's still not a great eater, Gemma! Haven't tried avo again for a while...hmmmm, maybe it's time?!

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  6. Magic indeed! I let Skye play in the tupperware cupboard and with my keys when she was little...but I think I will try this magic basket that you and Jess speak about with Joy. These are pretty photos too. x

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    1. I'd love to hear about it, if you do. I'm so pleased Jess recently posted about the concept, as I might have forgotten I'd read about it previously. It really is a lovely thing to do. I actually look forward to magic basket time each day!
      x

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  7. Saskia looks so pretty in blue!

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    1. I think so too. There's a lots of pinks and peaches, purples and yellows in her wardrobe - and as they are mostly second hand finds, I take what I can get! But it's lovely to find a little blue - or buy a little navy x

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  8. Miss Saskia is divine.
    Think I want a magic basket for me!!

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    1. Ha! I think my 'crafty' box is kind of like my magic basket!

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  9. Beautiful pictures! I love the light filtering through on the first. Those sweet sausage fingers - what a darling! It certainly looks like she's taken to the magic basket concept well. :) I think it's time I did another op-shop outing to collect different things for E's basket. I think a strainer, felt ball and a little brown glass bottle are in order! x

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    1. It's such a brilliantly simple idea - thanks again for posting about it and reminding me!

      The brown bottle has turned into a favourite. I've got a whole stash of them, can't think of where they are from though.....I remember soaking off all the labels thinking they'd make cute mini vases...
      x

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  10. What a sweet idea. Who knew learning was so much fun! I did this with a tissue box and popped an assortment of feely items in this. Your basket is a great idea, wish I could back to this time with my boys. Enjoy these magical moments. I can see why you 'marvel'. h x

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    1. Another great idea. We did something similar for the children at work actually...They love tactile things.
      x

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