“Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My!” - Adding Murals to our Inside Spaces

I really wanted to create a unique and special environment for my students to fully immerse themselves in the atmosphere of each play center. To feel fully inspired and creative to learn, explore and discover. One of the ways I set to accomplish this was to paint a mural in the different play areas. A total of three murals now reside in the indoor play areas, and I couldn’t be more pleased with the atmosphere it has helped create.

The first of the three murals was inspired by one of my favorite children’s books, “The Buried Moon”. The book is about the moon deciding one night that she had to see the world for herself, and climbed out of the sky to discover it. I decided to paint one of my favorite scenes from the book of abstract mountains, nestled behind a field of mushrooms and tall grass. I added a woman walking through the scene, to act as the moon character from the book. It’s a perfect addition the the bathroom waiting area, for kids to sit and wait for their turn to go potty. 

The second mural, a sleepy jungle scene, sits on the back wall of the quiet room. A tiger, a monkey, and a sloth overlook the mindfulness and library area, creating a solo thing scene for a peaceful atmosphere where students can relax and navigate their many emotions. 

The third and final mural sits in the background of the dramatic play area, a city scene as a backdrop for the farmers market, dress up, kitchen, and tool/workstation areas, where students can feel immersed in the hustle and bustle of a real city. 

I couldn’t be happier with how these murals ended up compliment each center, while tying the entire daycare together as one. As you step into each space, experiencing each unique atmosphere.