by Alexandra Tooley

Created on: May 23, 2009

As teachers, when we consider our classrooms, we must also consider what materials should be used in these classrooms and how developmentally appropriate these materials are. I work in a school where many of these materials are recycled materials, or materials that may otherwise have been trash are now used in a new way within our classrooms.

Infants and toddlers see the world through new eyes, and they are able to finder wonder in objects that we may consider to be ordinary. I will list some materials that can be used in this classroom to help children explore their natural curiosity about the world.

Cd's: Can be used to project rainbows onto the floor and walls of the classroom when sunlight is reflected from them. Infants are also naturally drawn to these shiny objects due to their reflective nature.

Cardboard boxes: These can serve many different purposes. Large ones can be used to allow the children to play games of peekaboo. Small ones are great for allowing the children to develop their fine motor coordination. I also suggest decorating the boxes with different fabric scraps or old wrapping paper to make the boxes different. Children also enjoy filling and dumping items from these boxes.

Used paper: Children enjoy exploring all sorts of paper and the possibilities are endless. Cellophane is especially great as the children can see through this type of paper. Do be careful to watch the children when they explore paper so they do not tear pieces off and eat them.

Natural materials: These are things such as leaves, pine cones, shells. I recommend these materials be used in toddler classrooms and not infant classrooms. They are great for all sorts of art projects.

Shower curtain rings: These can be used to create all sort of intersting hanging things for infants and toddlers-just use you imagination!

Ribbons: These are also good for young infants as they love pulling on them and mouthing them-we used them tied to a frame that we could put above the infants when they are lying on their backs.

Used electronic equipment: Infants and toddlers love to explore old cell phones, computer keyboards, or anything else they observe their parents using.

Cardboard tubes: These are great in any size and can be used in a variety of ways. Large ones can be used to roll balls through, while smaller ones are great for the children to look through and explore how different their voices sound through the tubes.

Old yoghurt or milk containers: The gallon milk containers can be used in the summer filled with water for the children to pour. Yogurt containers have many different uses and the children love them, especially in all different sizes and shapes.

Egg cartons: These are good for toddlers to explore sorting various smaller objects into the different pockets.

So these are just some examples of the way in which we use recycled materials in our classroom. If you are inventive you can find a way to used almost any material in your classroom. It is a great way to promote recycling and keep the costs down in your classroom. Parents are also very eager to donate and love seeing how the material ends up being used in your classroom. Good luck and have fun!

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