Leaf floor matsGreat for indoor/outdoor play spaces. The non-slip backing makes them ideal for gross motor play like jumping and hopping and open-ended games as well as for quiet activity.

Ways to use this resource to promote early literacy through play in your libraryUse the leaves to create a path for children to follow to where you will hold story time, to your picture book collection, or to where they borrow books.These mats are excellent for creating natural-looking play spaces. Talk with children about the different shapes, shades of green, and patterns on the leaves. Extend their interest further by going on a treasure hunt outside to find leaves and sort them. Talk about how the leaves are the same or different. Set up a course for children to follow as they jump along and count their steps. For those children who are ready, you could place numerals on leaves to support mathematical literacy, e.g. 1-2-3-4.Can be used for sorting activities e.g. place a pile of different-coloured objects in the centre of a circle of leaf floor mats. Children can sort the objects into separate piles on the leaves.To create a welcoming space for a small group of up to 16 children, place the leaves in a circle and invite children to sit on their own leaf. This can support a sense of belonging and promote the concept of personal space.

Talk to parents about low cost/no cost alternatives at home

Parents can take their children on a nature walk to collect and talk about the different leaves and other natural materials they find. Fasten a wide piece of masking tape around the child’s wrist like a bracelet, with the sticky side facing out and attach the materials to it.Make a small book about found objects at home. Draw or photograph the items and place on separate pages in order they were found to encourage sequencing language like first, next, then, after. Write simple words on each page to show conventions of print. Great for re-telling a story about the child’s own shared adventures with their parent or caregiver.

Other early literacy resources you can use with the Leaf Floor Mats

Multicultural and Aboriginal peopleExtra large leaf floor matBillyara Aboriginal art puzzlesSensory liquid-filled floor tilesGiant fishing games - set of two

What other ways can you use the Leaf floor mats in

your library?

Talk Play Sing Read

RhymesGalumphFive Little Speckled Frogs1-2-3-4-5 Once I Caught a Fish Alive

BooksFrog OlympicsOi, FrogI Don’t Want to be a FrogThe Very Hungry Caterpillar