Blog

🧜‍♀️ The Mermaid’s Garden Lab: Immersive Nature Play & Storytelling Guide

🌊 Theme Overview

A nature-rich potion-making experience inspired by Nordic childhoods, weaving folklore, sensory play, and storytelling. Children become Tidespeakers, creators of magical sea-land brews to unlock mysteries from the underwater world.

🧪 Core Play Elements

Potion Station Includes:

• Sea-themed loose parts: shells, pebbles, sea glass, driftwood

• Garden + pantry finds: flower petals, herbs (mint, rosemary, lavender), coloured water (beetroot, blueberry, turmeric)

• Tools: wooden spoons, glass jars, little funnels, pipettes

• Magic touches: biodegradable glitter or confetti, shimmer water, ocean-scented herbs (dried seaweed or lemon balm)

  

📖 The Story Hook: “The Tideshell Prophecy”

A mysterious shell has washed ashore, whispering of sea dragons and lost kingdoms. To unlock its messages, the child must mix potions from both land and sea… guided only by curiosity and the magi...

This wonderful guest post is from my member Gemma Oliver who is also a fabulous Hygge in the Early Years Member

Over the past few years, I’ve been exploring the different areas of my setting and taking a deeper look at the learning opportunities we offer. A key focus has been how we incorporate Hygge into our everyday routines—creating calm, connection, and a sense of belonging for the children in our care.

A Shift Toward Nature-Based Learning

Our journey has led us to gradually adapt our outdoor provision to reflect a more nature-based way of learning. This ethos now sits at the heart of our setting. Hygge in the Early Years helped me to understand the importance of connecting with nature, and how vital this connection is to supporting children’s development and wellbeing.

We spend much of our time outdoors—whatever the weather—and often barefoot. There’s something truly special about children feeling the earth beneath their feet. It brings a beautiful sense of freedom...

This wonderful guest post is from my member Gemma Oliver who is also a fabulous Hygge in the Early Years Member

Over the past few years, I’ve been exploring the different areas of my setting and taking a deeper look at the learning opportunities we offer. A key focus has been how we incorporate Hygge into our everyday routines—creating calm, connection, and a sense of belonging for the children in our care.

A Shift Toward Nature-Based Learning

Our journey has led us to gradually adapt our outdoor provision to reflect a more nature-based way of learning. This ethos now sits at the heart of our setting. Hygge in the Early Years helped me to understand the importance of connecting with nature, and how vital this connection is to supporting children’s development and wellbeing.

We spend much of our time outdoors—whatever the weather—and often barefoot. There’s something truly special about children feeling the earth beneath their feet. It brings a beautiful sense of freedom...

 You’ve spent hours setting up what you believe is a beautiful, inspiring play environment—but the children aren’t playing. Why not?

Let’s look through this with my Hygge in the Early Years lens, and ask:

“What do children need from this space to feel at ease, curious, and connected?”

Let’s problem-solve together:

⸻

 Time to Sink In

Peter Gray, a research professor on play, reminds us that it can take children up to 45 minutes to truly immerse themselves in play. If we interrupt this flow—by giving directions, asking questions, or shifting the activity—the clock resets. Are we giving them enough uninterrupted time to get lost in their play?

⸻

 Familiarity with Materials

Your space may be filled with beautiful loose parts and open-ended resources—but are these familiar to the children? If not, they may feel unsure or overwhelmed. Try introducing new materials gradually and modeling their use, supporting children as they learn how to engage creatively....

School Trips Shouldn’t Be Scrapped – They’re Essential to a Child’s Growth

While some may question the value of school trips — even suggesting they should be scrapped — I couldn’t disagree more. As an early years teacher in Bradford, I’ve seen firsthand the rich and meaningful experiences that outings provide for young children. These are not just “days out”; they are deeply educational adventures that nurture curiosity, confidence, and connection.

One of my most cherished annual trips with my Reception class was a simple visit to a local farm to pick strawberries. It might sound small, but to the children, it was magical. Imagine little ones picnicking beside the strawberry runners, barefoot and beaming, selecting the juiciest berries to take home.

But beneath the joy was powerful, discreet learning:

• Discussing where food comes from

• Observing how strawberries are the only fruit with seeds on the outside

• Weighing and comparing quantities

• Counting one more, one

  ...

When we think of hygge—the Danish way of living with comfort, connection, and calm—it’s easy to picture steaming mugs of cocoa, soft woollen blankets, and flickering candles in the depths of winter.

But in Denmark, hygge is a year-round celebration. In the warmer months, it simply takes on a different shape. Cosy jumpers and firelight become picnics by the sea, bike rides through forests, and slow, meaningful moments with those we love.

If you're feeling the pull to slow down this weekend, here are some beautiful, summertime hygge ideas to try...

🕯️ Start Your Day Slowly

One of the most powerful ways to embrace hygge is by starting the day with intention.

Wake up slowly. Linger over breakfast with your family. Brew coffee, light a pastel-coloured candle, and open the windows to let the morning air drift in. Talk about your plans for the day. Smile. Be present.

The Danes believe how you start your morning sets the tone for the rest of the day—and I couldn't agree more.

🌊 Co...

In the whirlwind of early years education—where giggles, discoveries, and a flurry of little feet fill the day—it’s easy to overlook the quiet power of stillness. But weaving cosy, calm moments into your classroom doesn’t just create a peaceful atmosphere—it nurtures emotional wellbeing, enhances focus, and builds the kind of secure environment where children truly thrive.

Here’s how you can gently invite calm into your daily practice.

🌿 1. Set the Scene for Calm

The physical environment speaks volumes before you even say a word. Creating a cosy atmosphere can instantly ease children into a state of calm.

• Use warm lighting like fairy lights or lamps instead of harsh fluorescents. Natural light is ideal.

• Add texture and comfort: Think cushions, soft rugs, low-level seating, and even small tents or reading nooks.

• Include natural elements—wooden toys, plants, or nature-themed décor—to create a grounded, earthy vibe.

These small changes can transform your space i...

You don’t need a large, purpose-built classroom or an endless supply of resources to bring Hygge to life.

In fact, some of the most magical early years environments are the smallest ones—because in small spaces, there’s often more connection, more intimacy, and more attention to detail.

Hygge is about creating an atmosphere where children (and adults!) feel calm, safe, and at home. That can happen in:

🪵 A cosy corner with soft lighting and cushions
🧺 A wicker basket with a few carefully chosen natural treasures
🫖 A shared cup of warm tea and a story under a blanket
🌿 A tiny outdoor area transformed with pots of herbs and a bird feeder

It’s not about how much you have—it’s about how it feels to be there.

Small settings can hold big magic.

To check out my Hygge training head to my website www.hyggeintheearlyyears.co.uk

#hyggeintheearlyyears #hyggespaces #danishway #enablingenvironments #hyggeclassroomenvironment #hyggechildcare #hyggehomeschool 

@theflowercottage110 thank you for sharing with us ...

Are You a Parent Looking Around Early Years Settings or Schools for Your Child?

As a parent myself, I know how big and sometimes overwhelming this decision can feel. You want to find a place where your child feels safe, seen, and celebrated—a setting that nurtures curiosity and joy.

Here are a few questions I always like to ask when visiting a new setting:

🌿 How much time is dedicated to play?
🌦️ How often are children outdoors, and in what ways do they engage with nature?
🌟 How are children’s interests and questions woven into daily learning?
📚 What does the modern curriculum look like here, and how is it delivered?
💛 How is the whole child—their emotions, creativity, and uniqueness—celebrated?
🏡 How do the spaces feel as you walk through them? Calm, welcoming, inspiring?
🎨 What kinds of materials and resources do children use?
— Are they given creative freedom?
— Can they explore open-ended, natural, or recycled materials?

Choosing the right setting is about more than ticking boxes—it’s about fi...

In this weeks blog post I wanted to offer you a little glimpse into life at one of my fabulous Hygge Chlldminder Settings...

No two days are ever quite the same here — and that’s exactly how we like it. At The Young Ones, the children lead the way. They guide our direction with their questions, their curiosity, and their joy. As anyone who works with young children knows, learning rarely moves in straight lines. It twists, it turns, it pauses to watch a worm wriggle across the path or races ahead in bursts of energy and inspiration. But within that beautiful unpredictability, we have a rhythm — a gentle structure that grounds us. Our core routines are woven through every day like a reassuring thread. We come together around the table for family-style meals, share stories, practise daily mindfulness, enjoy movement and yoga and take time for important self-care like brushing our teeth. These moments are never rushed. They're part of our wider approach: to protect childhood, not hur...