Nurture Creative Play

Rooted in Steiner principles: simple, natural materials that invite open-ended, imaginative play. Handmade 100% wool felt, using eco-friendly dyes. Gentle on little folk and the planet.

Building a Small World - a miniature scene with figures & objects

  • Step 1: Base

    Lay down a Play Mat (or use a tray/scarf/rug). This instantly shows where the story is happening - farm, ocean, forest, arctic, magical land.

    Play Mats 

  • Step 2: Characters

    Add three figures (animals, fairies, small folk, dinosaurs). Three is the minimum magic number: main character, friend, and a surprise visitor.

    Characters 

  • Step 3: Home

    Place one Small World Home. A home creates a purpose: someone lives there, someone is visiting, something is about to happen.

    Homes 

  • Step 4: Props

    Sprinkle a few Small World Props (trees, rocks, logs, toadstools, fire). Props turn "toys on a mat" into a world with places to go and things to do.

    Props 

As children build and interact with their small words they develop imagination, language, problem solving skills and social and emotional understanding. This play allows children to process experiences, experiment safely and make sense of their bigger world by role playing familar or fantastical scenarios.

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