“Education is the art of assisting discovery.”
— Mark Van Doren
I believe the classroom environment is like a “silent teacher.” When it’s thoughtfully set up, it sparks curiosity, encourages independence and makes children feel excited about learning. The way a space looks and feels can make all the difference. If an area is welcoming and appealing, children are naturally drawn to it and from there the real learning begins. I love creating spaces that not only support key skills but also reflect the children’s own interests and imaginations.
For me, it’s about building an environment where every child feels inspired, valued and eager to explore.
As a teacher there really is nothing better than seeing your class run in through the door in the morning with a smile on their face, excited for what’s to come.
Our school had an ‘Around the world Week’ which was so successful. Our class focus was Japan so I decided to set up a sushi making station where the children could work on their fine motor skills, role play and talk about the similarities and differences between countries. I used basic craft materials such as felt and cotton wool, then sat with a group of children and tea stained some paper for a more authentic feel! I even went into my local takeaway and asked for some chop sticks!
Often if you speak to people in your local community and explain you are creating something in a school, people are more than happy to help.
Diggers are always a popular fascination! For this area I used recycled and everyday items that might normally end up in the bin.
Children love the challenge of using real-life materials and it’s a great way to show them that learning can happen anywhere, with anything.
It also nurtures problem-solving, creativity, and imaginative play.
I like to make reading corners feel calm and cosy, somewhere children want to be.
These spaces give them the chance to curl up with a book, escape into a story and develop a lifelong love of reading.
Don’t worry if you don’t have the big, wooden structures. Some soft cushions and warm lighting in a corner of the room are just fine.
Writing can feel daunting if the space isn’t appealing, so I try to make it as engaging as possible. One of my favourite touches are the pencil logs which my wonderful dad made for me from a tree chopped down in my garden! The children loved them, and they showed how a small detail can make writing feel exciting and special.
Dinosaurs are always a big hit and this area was loved by many children. By following the children’s interests, I was able to create a space that encouraged storytelling, role play and lots of imaginative adventures. Again, simple materials such as egg boxes, twigs, logs and shredded paper from an online clothes order made this set up special.
Hopefully this will inspire you to assist discovery in your pupils!
Blog written by Sarah Bullock 22 .9.25
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