I've always loved op shops. You never know what delights you will find in them. After all, one man's trash is another man's treasure. So I'm relishing in the fact that I get to frequent op shops on a regular basis looking for resources for our Infant and Toddler room (and possibly for our existing rooms).
My favourite op shop for this purpose is one close to home (I dare not give its location for fear that everyone else will realise what a treasure trove it is), but I've sourced resourced from as far afield as Wellsford and even Maungaturoto over the last couple of months.
I think my favourite items thus far are the green dish and the golden goblet. I wonder what the tamariki will use them for?
Op shopping is a great way to look after our planet (and your pocket) too - rather than buying new and creating more waste (especially if you are buying plastic items which will end in a landfill) why not reuse items that are already in circulation?
Some of you may be wondering why on earth I have breakable items in my collection. Here at Coastlands Preschool, we view all children as competent and confident learners. We trust them to use real 'tools' in their play. Sure some items may get broken, but through our culture of respect, they learn to look after their tools and treat them carefully.
