Hygge in a Packaway Setting

I started my Hygge journey because I have an interest in creating a more cosy and comfortable indoor and outdoor environment to help the children feel safe and secure when in my setting, just as they would in their own homes. And to see if it will help aid their development. Something that I do find difficult is that I am a pack away setting I found it quite difficult to find the correct decor that could easily be put away after each day.

Carpet Area

I started with a focus on my carpet area, as I felt it was quite colourful, and was not a very inviting space for quiet or reading. To help this I have stopped putting on the big lights and started to put a warm light lamp, which I have put on top of a wooden crate which I then use to put the books inside. I have also bought some hessian leaf pillows and soft fluffy blankets to create a cosy area. To make the carpet area feel more like the children’s homes, I asked the parents to bring in some family photos, which I put out around the setting each day. And some potted plants around to bring some nature inside.

Home Corner

To help in the home corner, I felt that a majority of the toys were plastic, and not fully engaging for the children. To help with this, I asked the parents to bring in any items that they no longer need, such as hats, scarves, egg cartons, washing up bottles and other items found in the home. This has helped the children feel as though  they can play in the area as they see at home. I have also found some ceramic plates, mugs, bowls, and real cutlery. To create a more Hygge environment I have added some LED candles, blankets, cushions, books, and some fluffy rugs to help make the area feel some cosy.

Art Area

As I am in a pack away setting, I am not able to put up any displays or the children’s art work. To overcome this and to make it Hygge I have placed a washing line over our fences and am now able to put the children’s work up. In the art area I ensure that the trolley is fully restocked with materials each day so that the children can explore different textures and objects in the way they find best. Around this area, I have a tree where the family photos are placed, and a pot of fake flowers including lavender.

Loose Parts

In my setting I have been working on developing the loose parts area. When I started the children were not engaging in this area and it was often empty. To help in this area, I found some more natural materials such as shells, sticks, stones, and small logs. I then found a new tray which was a more appropriate height for the children to be able to look in and explore. To help make this area more engaging I have been adding some of the blocks in order to create different levels. When setting up an activity here, I think about what the children have been interested in (this past week it has been flowers and planting) and find some books relating to this topic, I then use the different materials, to create a image (made a flower using sticks, gems, and shells), sometimes in this area I add the tweezers to help the children with their fine motor skills. After adding these I found a gray rug for the floor and some light coloured cushions. With these changes the children have been enjoying this area and are often engaged and inviting others into their investigations.

Garden

Outdoor spaces are very important to me and my setting. To help encourage the children to explore the garden area more, and to have some independence I have found a shoe rack to put by the garden door, since doing this the children are able to change their slippers to boots by themselves, and it has them wearing appropriate clothes for the garden. To promote a love for nature, and by following the children’s interests, we had a planting day in the garden, we have created a new flower patch with lavender being at the front. This has made a large difference, as you can now smell the flowers as soon as you go outside, it has brought new colours and bugs into our space, and started some lovely conversations with the children both with each other and with the staff. To promote Hygge, we have bought a fire pit, which we have been using to have Fika. When by the fire pit, we have a cosy time where the children have space to talk, smell, see, and feel the heat from the fire. Since starting this we have made, hot chocolate, s’mores, beans, soup, and many others.

Walks and Forest School

At my setting I have started having a fifteen minute daily walk, the children have really enjoyed this, as they have been able to see how the world around us changes depending on the seasons, they are able to see different people each day. As a group, we have become closer with our community. For International Kindness Day, The children and I bought some flowers and gave them to the local shop owners. This was a lovely experience as the children were able to meet new people, and learn more about those around us. In my setting, each Thursday we take the children to forest school. We take the children on a bus and go to our local woods. This has been a great opportunity for the children and staff, as everyone has said it is their favourite day of the week. After a forest school session, everybody tends to be happier, calmer, and is able to talk in detail about what they have done. Our Thursdays are fully child led, and the entire day changes completely based on one conversation.

Conclusion

Overall, after implementing Hygge in my setting, I have been able to see such a drastic change in myself and my own practice, as I feel calmer, more confident in my knowledge and understanding in the setting, and I feel that I have been able to make a difference in my workplace. The children have also become more independent and confident to explore and ask questions. Something that I feel has greatly helped in all areas is the use of plants and nature both inside and outside of the setting. As it has helped create happier and calmer children and staff.