Piggies in the Pumpkin Patch Small World Sensory Play

After reading the story Piggies in the Pumpkin by Jennifer Rofe, setting up a Small World is great wat to extend the literacy experience.

Small world play is simply when children explore figurines, loose parts, and sensory materials that reenact scenes from nature, books, fairytales, or a subject matter of interest through hands on play. When small world play is accompanied with sensory materials it is great for many areas of development. It enhances comprehension, language, imaginary and tactile play. Through small world play that is connected to a book they can correlate and understand what they see and hear in the story.

This type of play can be defined as where children accept and assign roles, then act them out. When children engage in play they break through the walls of reality, use their imagination, pretend to be someone or something different from themselves, explore different worlds, and have actions to go along with the roles they have chosen to play. This type of play is an integral part of the developmental learning process by allowing children to develop skills in such areas as abstract thinking, literacy, math, & social studies, in a timely natural manner. They are able to play and manipulate a variety of materials and textures that stimulate their mind & body.

To set this invitation you will need a sensory bin or tray. Farm life animal figurines, wood rounds, natural blocks, rocks, pumpkins, farm mobile vehicles, faux pumpkins, and mini scented pumpkins.