The Rest of Asher's Room

The chaos continues, but at least the littlest one has a finished room now. 

We had to put up the Ida Pearle cards. There was no choice, especially once we saw this one:

Anyone who knows Asher would instantly recognise the tousled reddish hair, the orange tshirt and the net slung over his shoulder.

The beloved play kitchen and dinosaur found their home as well. I think that apatasaurus makes a mean sushi platter.

This shelf sits under the window (you saw part of it yesterday). The wooden animals on the window sill were vintage finds in Zambia, the trees are from Plan toys. He also keeps his match box cars and animals in tin pails here, the five minnows that Will Not Die (I think they just had babies, too), and his Haba and Waldorf building blocks.

This room is wonderful because it has built in cupboards which we could use for the rest of his toys, dividing them up and giving everything its place without feeling too overwhelmed with "stuff".

The cupboard holds more books, finger puppets, cars, musical instruments, science toys (inside the cases), games and dress up.

Asher made this little house the other day at school, and was so proud of it. It is the right size for Mr. Clown; if you are very lucky he may invite you over for tea. 

Asher has an amazing sense of rhythm (right Uncle Lukas?), so we try to keep him in the percussion. I am trying to track down some drumming lessons for him, too.

He also loves himself a good game. Most of our favourites come from Eeboo (I Never Forget a Face, Storefront Bingo, Fairy Queen), although Slamwich is a hit, as are bowling for frogs and Haba's "Catch Mouse".

I forgot to get a picture of his bulletin boards (next to the mirros in his reading corner) where he pins up his school and art work. But I think this is enough for this room, no?

It was very interesting to me to see what this room has evolved into. I have spent the past eleven years studying, researching, and simply being with small people, and this room sums up my values for a preschool/ early years environment. Bright and clean with a place for everything. Lots of books, a pet to be responsible for, toys that are open-ended and multi-purpose, no batteries or plastic (except for the animals), and that reflect his interests and provide room for his curiosity, creativity, independence and growth. And of course a space that we all love to come and be in with him.

I hope he is happy here. I also apologise if this is way too much boring cupboard space for some of you, but with family so far away, I find it comforting somehow if they can picture us where we are.

Comments

[Jen]

I think his room is inspiring! Who are the little jester guys peeking out of the music box?

[emily]

i am a huge fan of peeking into other people's cupboards. and i'm simmering about some changes in my little ones' rooms. so i very much enjoyed these peeks. thank you for that.

[katy]

thanks for sharing! it's inspiration for my girls' rooms. Less than a month until we move . . .

p.s. that first pic would be a great submission to poppytalk - "the art of display"

[amysahba]

mmmmmhhh, i love those alphabet cards!

[Lecia]

I just saw a link here from montague - love the room! I love getting to see what ideas other people come up with for their kids. cheers.

[mary-sue]

Not too much cupboard pics at all! more more more! Very inspiring. Thank you!

[Justyn]

This room is BEAUTIFUL! I am moving with my family of six to the Western highlands of Kenya in a matter of months. As we plan for our move from the US I am always inspired by your thoughts and images. As a homeschooling family and a mother with what seems to be a similar life/design philosophy I would LOVE to e-mail with you and get your thoughts so that I might ask a few questions before we make the move...... REALLY lovely room.

Justyn

[Ann]

Look! "A Child's Day: An Alphabet of Play" is an alphabet book made by the artist who made the alphabet cards in the photo above! by New York artist Ida Pearle.

http://www.amazon.com/Childs-Day-Alphabet-Play/dp/0152065520

[Erika Hastings]

Did you make the wall hanging pictures? They are beautiful! I love the room organization as well. Diego just got his own room last month and, well, still not really all together there yet. But he loves it just the same.

[wendy]

We just moved into a new home, too. I love to see what you have done with yours, as it inspires me in setting up ours.