Exploring creative teaching ideas through Erasmus+ mobility

Erasmus+ mobility: learning through play with natural materials

Every day in my kindergarten practice I observe how children explore, learn and discover the world through play. I see that children don’t need perfect toys. They often enjoy most the toys made from simple, natural materials found in their immediate surroundings.

Participating in the Erasmus+ project Didactic games and toys helped me gain a deeper understanding of creativity in early childhood education and insights into the practices of three different kindergartens in Slovenia, North Macedonia and Croatia. These international mobilities encouraged me to reflect on how we can offer children more opportunities for creation, exploration and independent shaping of their learning environment.

Throughout the project, I learned that the quality of play does not depend on the price of materials, but on thoughtful material selection, adult support and open spaces that enable active child participation. This led me to introduce changes in my group, particularly in how I prepare materials and design the learning environment.

Designing educational games and toys in Slovenia

In Slovenia, we shared how we plan and develop didactic games in our kindergarten and the key elements we consider in the process, such as the safety, functionality and developmental appropriateness of toys.

Each of us first designed a plan for our toy. We recorded the idea, its purpose, the materials to be used and its expected functions. We then visited the ‘centre of new ideas’, a source of recycled and natural materials, where we gathered supplies such as cardboard, wool, stones, bottle caps, buttons and wooden sticks.

The creative process encouraged us to reflect on what children truly need. We realised that planning itself is a key process that leads to high-quality didactic materials.

Wool felting workshop and creating toys with children in North Macedonia

The second international mobility took place in Pehčevo, North Macedonia. At the local kindergarten, we became familiar with their work organisation, daily routines and a rich collection of handmade didactic toys that children use every day. We were particularly impressed by how they integrate natural materials and emphasise creativity across all age groups.

During our visit, we also had the opportunity to observe activities in the playrooms. The children were relaxed, independent and enthusiastic about choosing their activities. The educators offered a wide variety of materials, which encouraged exploration and decision-making. I realised that this openness in the environment significantly influences children’s self-confidence and motivation.

In one of the workshops, we explored both dry and wet wool felting techniques. Wool, as a natural material, offers rich sensory experiences – it is warm, soft and pleasant to the touch. Children enjoy exploring and shaping it as they develop their imagination and creativity.

Teachers engaged in wool felting to create educational toys for children.

The workshop with children was one of the most meaningful experiences of this international mobility. The children enthusiastically created using natural and recycled materials, showing how valuable it is to give them space for independence and exploration.

Making toys from recycled materials and weaving in Croatia

The Erasmus+ visit to the kindergarten in Vukovar, Croatia offered valuable insights into creative teaching and how to use educational games in everyday early childhood activities. The educators shared good practices, highlighting the importance of cooperation, natural materials and children’s active involvement.

In the first workshop, we created functional games from various materials in a short time. Working together showed how valuable group creativity is and howeducators can turn simple materials into tools suited to children’s needs in early childhood.

Children rolling chestnuts through tubes, exploring the sensory board and sorting natural materials.

We also reflected on children with special needs, as simple materials make it possible to design adapted sensory, motor and didactic tools. With some creativity, recycled materials can be turned into sensory tubes, rattles, tactile elements or toys that develop fine motor skills. These tools provide additional support for children with special needs while remaining affordable and easy to produce. The second workshop focused on designing toys for outdoor use: stilts made from tin cans, a target game made from wooden pallets and an improvised road. Outdoor didactic toys encourage movement, balance, coordination, spatial orientation and social skills. The materials are durable and sustainable, and the play experience connects physical activity with exploration.

Early childhood teachers created a target game from a wooden pallet, ready to be used by children.

In the final workshop, we explored weaving, which helps develop fine motor skills, concentration, a sense of order and sequence, and offers opportunities for creative expression. I realised that weaving could easily be introduced in our kindergarten, as looms can be made from cardboard or wooden frames.

Applying lessons from Erasmus+ mobilities in early childhood practice

After these international mobilities, I introduced more natural and recycled materials into daily practice and started creating more often with children. I focused on exploring materials and creative processes, while making sure children have access to handmade toys.

Practical steps we have taken in our kindergarten:

• organising a workshop with parents, where we created an outdoor sensory board together and strengthened parent-kindergarten collaboration
• setting up a special creative corner – a space for free play, exploration and creativity – where handmade materials are easily accessible to children

The Erasmus+ project Didactic games and toys showed me the importance of being open to different cultures and teaching practices. At every visit, I felt that values like community, cooperation, respect for nature and originality are shared across kindergartens.

Erasmus+ mobilities not only enriched my professional knowledge but also inspired lasting changes in my daily practice.