Wonder in the basket: Curiosity, rights & discovery in early years practice

Presenters: Caroline Walsh and Dr Lynn McNair (Mo Sto'r - My treasure, my love)

Co-hosts: Dr Kristina Konstantoni and Dr Laura Wright

This presentation invites participants into the rich and sensory world of treasure baskets, drawing on our lived experiences as early years professionals and our work introducing them in practice. Rooted in the pioneering work of Elinor Goldschmied, treasure baskets offer babies and young children opportunities for deep exploration, curiosity, and autonomous discovery through carefully selected everyday objects.

We will begin by sharing a brief history of Goldshield's original concept and how treasure baskets have evolved as a valued resource within contemporary early years pedagogy. From there, the session will move into an interactive treasure basket experience, where participants will be encouraged to see, touch, handle, and reflect on the materials for themselves. This hands-on element is designed to mirror the child's own process of discovery and to open up professional dialogue around sensory engagement, inclusion, and meaning making.

Drawing on examples from Caroline's workplace, we will share practical insights into how treasure baskets can be introduced as an inclusive, sustainable, and rights-respecting resource across a range of settings. The session will also explore how treasure baskets support children's agency, choice and participation, and how they can meaningfully uphold children's rights within everyday practice.

Participants will leave with practical ideas, inspiration, and confidence to develop treasure basket experiences in their own contexts. There will also be an opportunity to purchase handcrafted treasure baskets and accompanying guidance resources to support implementation in practice.

Presenter biographies

Caroline A. Walsh brings a rich tapestry of professional experience gathered across more than 30 years in diverse early years settings. Her practice is deeply rooted in a commitment to children's play, curiosity, and meaningful encounters with the natural world. A significant milestone in her career has been the facilitation of the pioneering 'Our Wee Garden' pilot project at the Royal Botanical Gardens Edinburgh, an initiative that has created transformative opportunities for young children to engage with nature, belonging, and outdoor learning.

Her values are strongly underpinned by Froebelian principles, particularly the unity and connectedness of all living things, the central of relationships, and the immense importance of play as a way of knowing the world. Caroline's work is shaped by the belief that everything in the universe is interconnected, and that children flourish when offered time, space, and freedom to explore these relationships though nature-rich experiences.

Lynn J. McNair is a Senior Lecturer whose work is based in Froebelian thought, early childhood pedagogy, and the transformative possibilities of play, relationships, and shared discovery. Her scholarship and teaching are shaped by a deep commitment to children's rights, reflective practice and creating spaces where theory and lived experience meet.

Together, Caroline and Lynn are the co-founder of Mo Sto'r (My Treasure, my love), a collaborative initiative inspired by shared values around play, discovery, and meaningful pedagogical resources. Their partnership also extends into research, where they have worked closely on exploring the development and early impact of the Wee Garden at RBGE, bringing together practice-based insight and scholarly reflection to illuminate how young children's encounters with nature can nurture belonging, curiosity, and connectedness.

This will be an in-person only event, taking place in the Old Nursery Meeting Room at Moray House School of Education and Sport. Please come to the Campus Reception on St John Street for directions to the room.

For any enquiries, please contact Dr Kristina Konstantoni via [email protected] or Dr laura Wright via [email protected].

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Host or Publisher Moray House School of Education and Sport