Sleepy Princess from HABA is a game based on the classic fairy tale The Princess and the Pea. The set consists of a double sided playing board, a pretty in pink wooden princess, a royal bed, a dice, a pile of mattresses, blankets and cushions and of course, a pea.
There are two versions of the game detailed in the instructions. In the simple version, players take it in turns to throw the dice (starting with the youngest) and work together to collect bedding items to pile into a stack on the bed in the correct order of mattress, blanket, cushion. If players land on a washing machine symbol on the game board, a bedding item has to be removed from the bed. The game is over if the stack topples (all lose) or you succeed in placing all the items in the pile (all win).
In a competitive version of the game, a maximum of four players each choses a bedding set of a particular colour. Taking it in turns to move around the board, the players pile their bedding onto the bed (or off!) according to the square they land on. The winner is the first to place all their pieces. If the pile topples, the player whose turn it is must take all the fallen items and begin again.
I love that in the second version, the instructions state that the player with the longest hair goes first - very princessy!
This is a game that encourages turn taking, correct use of a dice, a certain amount of hand-eye co-ordination and of course learning to be a gracious loser.
The bedding is gorgeous - bright and cheerful, well made and appeals to a love I have of all things miniature. The bed is made from four pieces of cardboard that slot together. I do worry slightly that it will be prone to damage (on standby with the sellotape!). As it is in my nature to worry, I will also worry about losing the pea which is small and rolls.
My children were just as happy (happier even) playing with the pieces and making a nice comfy bed for the princess as they were actually playing the game.
It never ceases to amaze me how, to a child, the whole world is an adventure playground and the most mundane and ordinary of objects can become wondrous treasures through their eyes. Watching children play is a joy. Seeing them making discoveries and learning through the completely natural process of play is a beautiful thing to witness.
My daughter, not yet three years old, has developed a recent interest in letters and writing. She shows a strong preference for her left hand which I know, through experience, can make things more difficult. I like to make sure she always has access to writing materials, although she will happily find them for herself if I am neglectful.
A door becomes a blank canvas to a little artist
I gave her an educational early reading and writing Activity Set to see if it interested her. It came with little foam letters, letter stencils and a variety of exercises in a pad. I was amazed to see her immediately begin matching the foam letters to the corresponding letters on the stencil. She didn't know she was doing anything clever. She was just playing.
She was happy entertaining herself but was even more delighted to share her game with me. Her little face lit up as she passed me a letter and declared it to be "Mimi's turn". Sometimes the distractions of my other children, the household chores and blogging (to name a few) mean I don't spend as much quality time with my daughter as I'd like. It is so important to achieve a balance and that is something I continually strive for.
My daughter's attention turned away from the matching game as she investigated the writing implements. Unfortunately from a mess point of view, the thick felt tipped black pen was far more interesting to her than the coloured pencils. Luckily for her, I am not afraid of a bit of mess. I think it is so important for learning through play to have freedom. If uninhibited actions equate to the necessity for a big post play clear up - so be it. It is a small price to pay.
A first adventure with paint
The black pen made satisfyingly thick marks that contrasted strongly against the white paper. She alternated between carefully tracing different letter shapes, swirling and zigzagging and colouring in her own hands!
Fierce concentration
The Activity Set was clearly aimed at an older child and had detailed guidelines as to the proper use. I did for a moment consider taking it away from her until she was older and could obey the instructions but watching her flitting from page to page, delighting in new discoveries and totally engaged made me convinced that there was no better time than now. I watched her gain control over the pen through improved grip, I watched her immerse herself completely in the idea of writing, I watched her laugh and I watched her making the decisions in her head about what to do next.
It was a great learning experience.
She asked me for 'ticky tape'. It took me a while to realise exactly what it was she wanted. She had not learned the phrase sticky tape from me. It is quite possible that Cbeebies' Mr Maker may have been responsible but that belongs in a different (and more controversial) post entitled "Learning through Watching TV".
I gave her a roll of sticky tape and watched as she embarked on a game of discovery.
There are a great many toys on the market that boast of educational benefits to your developing child but sometimes all they need is a roll of sticky tape and a free rein!
