22 replies to this topic

[SmileyPR]

Hi everyone!

Our Early Years classrooms are being painted with a topic. The one of 2-3 years old is Winnie the Pooh, the one of 3-4 (Nursery) is The Jungle Book and mine (4-5 Reception) will be done this next Summer.

I thought the theme of Community Helpers would be nice, since the are learning to be more helpful and responsible... but the only cartoon TV-program characters that I find are all male: Fireman Sam, Postman Pat and Bob the Builder. Does anyone know of a female cartoon character?

I also thought of the Tweenies, but I am not sure.

All ideas will be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Edited by SmileyPR, 13 February 2005 - 09:22 PM.

[Sue R]

Do you need cartoon characters??
I would be inclined to develop some characters with your children, then you can reflect your philosophy, whilst enabling the children to be part of the process and give them ownership of their setting?

What does anyone else think??

Sue :D

[SmileyPR]

Sure :) , I was also thinking of asking them... but one also has to take in consideration that they are there only one academic year and then another group of children will come, so I was wondering what could be a 'constant' interesting theme through out the years. Anyway, I will ask the children tomorrow. More ideas?

[sunflower]

There is a nice series of Ladybird Books called "Little Workmates". Each character has their own book and there are lots of female characters - Teacher Tina, Doctor Daisy, Vet Vicky, PC Polly and Nurse Nancy. Can't think of any cartoon characters though.

[Sue R]

Sorry, Smiley,
I meant, perhaps that could be something you could change to suit your group at any one time, but wasn't sure if it had to be permanent??

Sue :D

[SmileyPR]

Yes, the walls will be permanently painted with chosen topic.

[Sue R]

OK, will think about that one! :)

Sue :D

[ASPK]

Only Catwoman springs to mind! Not quite the thing, though, eh??? :D

[hali]

all i could think of was wonderwoman

[ASPK]

Well there are lots of wonderwomen on this site!! :D :D

[Gezabel]

MM! A difficult one. If it is going to be a permanent decoration have you any idea how long you will have to 'live with it'

Just wondered if there may be a slight problem with current cartoon tv characters in whether or not they will 'go out of date' or not be the trend if you know what I mean.

Winnie the Pooh and the Jungle book are almost timeless classics.

Lucky you having such a lovely choice to make - though difficult.

I would fancy Noahs Ark! all the variety of the animals, lovely bright colours and sure all children could relate to them in some way and it's not biased gender wise but then it has nothing to do with community helpers!!!!

Will try and think some more!!

Do hope when it is all done you will post a pic for us to see :D

[SmileyPR]

Hey, not bad idea!

Oh, today I saw the result of the Nursery class... I liked one side, but not the rest. I found the colours 'old' and not in a surrounding sensation, like in the younger ones. Even the cupboards were with such 'old' colours... not pastel, nor bright. I somehow felt the classroom a bit dark, opaque and also crowdie because of the painting, not the cupboards. I am not sure I will end up liking the idea

Thanks for all your ideas. Indeed I should take in consideration classicals more than cartoons that can disappear.

Have a nice week :-)

[Sue R]

A word of warning. The DN in which I work has some very permanent wall decorations, put there when it opened, 10 years ago. Although they were probably lovely (lots of 3D elements) at the time, they are now looking old and - err....tired. They feature subjects such as Hickory Dickory and Humpty Dumpty, Alice in Wonderland, Jungle Book and Wind in the Willows.
I would suggest that you try to hold out for something 'replaceable', after a few years, as, even though the interest may still be there (not sure it is with last three I quoted) the style may be dated.

Just a thought

Sue :D

[SmileyPR]

What do you mean by replaceable?

The fact is that it is not a decision from my part, but from the administration.

Since those younger years classrooms were done, mine 'has to be done' as well. Surely enough, I think they might be open to other good (yet similar) suggestions.

Thanks for your help :)

[Sue R]

Well, really all I meant was that you might be able to ask for something newer in a few years. Probably not on, we're stuck with ours, but the space would be so much better filled with what the children are doing now How long is the re-decoration hoped to last?

Our DN is repainted about every 3 years, but these things I don't particularly like are mounted structures which would release so much display space!!

Sue