Nursery World Awards 2008: Resources - Personal, Social & Emotional Development
WINNER: Openside Playhouse, Galt
This classic design first appeared more than 40 years ago, but remains an all-time favourite with children and practitioners due to its simplicity. The original Galt doll's house won the Galt Toy Design Competition in 1963 and the Observer Design Award in 1969.
The playhouse allows children to develop their sense of social manners and community, whether through group play or their own games of pretend. The house is large and hardy, built for all weathers, and also to provide room for up to four children to play together or side by side.
Packed with furniture and dolls, it is colourful and welcoming, with four rooms and two levels linked by a ladder for the dolls to go up and downstairs. This set-up provides a great opportunity for children to learn to share and play together without fighting, as well as to explore role play and family scenarios. It encourages children to form relationships with each other and work collaboratively with their creations.
The pretend play options traditionally promote social and emotional development, as well as imagination and creativity. It is also ideal for independent play, encouraging the creation of an individual's own environment and awareness of feelings and developing self-confidence and self-esteem.
Its relaunch in January 2007 has only cemented the popularity of this beautifully crafted piece.
HIGHLY COMMENDED: The Ourselves Theme Pack, Early Vision
Make an appointment with the dentist or optician, or visit the hairdressers and beautician with this pack, a great way for children to inform real-life role play. Each pack has both DVD and VHS 'video visits' to enable children to watch, see and hear a day in the life of these professions, enriching their exploration of the subjects. The packs can help to support social and emotional development through little experiences, such as acting out going to the optician when a child has been given glasses to wear.
HIGHLY COMMENDED: 'Keeping Healthy, Staying Safe' DVD Plus, Child's Eye Media
This DVD has five friendly films which teach children essential, everyday lessons about safety. The subjects covered are being around fire, at the beach, road safety, getting lost and keeping healthy. Children are shown how to keep themselves safe in a positive way and engaged in thinking about how to follow these safety tips in their own lives. One of the films, Teigan Gets Lost, has become part of a national child safety campaign.
CRITERIA
Open to early years resources and equipment that support children's learning, development and enjoyment in personal, social and emotional development.
