We have always created signs for play areas to indicate the name of the area and the number of children who can play at any given time. Appropriate clip art images of children are printed under the text, which helps the youngest children to count and to link the visual signs with play activities.
This term we have extended our signs in some areas, such as sand and role play, by sticking the relevant number of plastic hooks above them and hanging a child's hair scrunchie on each one. The scrunchies, in different colours for each area, are soft and can easily be washed. Even the youngest children find them easy to handle and are keen to wear them on their wrists while they are playing. They have no difficulty remembering to return them to a hook when they leave the area.
The scrunchies are a great success, but we have other methods to help children to realise the number limitations elsewhere in our room. For example, there are four aprons hanging on hooks in the water area and the children know that if all the aprons are in use they must come back later.
The snack table has two chairs, the computer has one and group activities at tables are limited by the number of chairs available. Children and staff can decide on a group number by adding or subtracting chairs.
Our youngest children are already comfortable in their new surroundings and move confidently from one area to another.
Jayne Brown is the outreach worker in the nursery class at Cockfield Primary School, County Durham. She spoke to Jean Evans
