We have been using real objects as a talking point to encourage the children to use new vocabulary, express ideas and encourage curiosity. When we talk together we very much allow the children to explore their ideas and thinking processes, there is never a wrong answer! Using a treasure chest full of “treasures” sparked excitement and intrigue. First we imagined what could be inside and where it had come from. Then we allowed the children to each choose a “treasure” to explore. This was highly motivational for the children and created rich conversation…

Bracelet: It’s cold! It’s shiny! My Mammy has one too!

Tape Measure: WOW! It can measure! It is so, so, so long! it’s like a yo-yo!

Car: I think it belong to the pirates!

Harmonica: It’s like a music thing! (We talked about musical instrument)

Parents as Partners

This week our core text was one of our favourite stories and always a favourite of the children: Handa’s Surprise. This story is a repetitive text which makes it easier for the children to understand the structure of the story and to predict what happens next. The story encourages lots of opportunities for counting; counting the 7 fruit into the basket and counting down every time a piece of fruit is taken. In our fine-motor work this week the children practised their cutting skills to practise chopping some fruit. We also used the opportunity to develop vocabulary, talking about the fruit and asking the children if it was ‘tangy’ ‘sour’ ‘sweet’ ‘juicy’ and encouraging them to explore with their sense of touch/ taste and smell (linking back to our Science week work)

‘What’s inside? I think seeds?’

‘You don’t put that in your mouth…cos then it will hurt’ (the Mango stone)

‘I know what’s inside and it’s a stone!’

‘I can smell the juice…yum!’ (lemon)

We also developed some mathematical thinking using pictures to represent our favourite fruit. The children drew smiley faces to show their favourites and then we counted to find out which fruit was the most popular. We talked about which fruit had more or fewer likes.

Outside Learning

Outside as part of our physical development focus we worked on some balancing skills. Just as Handa balances the basket on her head, the children balanced beanbags! First they balanced them on their heads, then on their shoulders, elbows, knees and even toes. Some children practised balancing a large basket on their heads and we decided it was very tricky indeed!

In their plan, do, review time this week the children have enjoyed using balls to throw and catch. Lots of children love to access our improvised basket-ball hoop and some children explored bouncing the balls up and down the steps. It has been wonderful to re-open our large sand area outside which allows for so many learning opportunities throughout the day.

Upcoming Events

Just a reminder that our parent consultation meetings take place next week. Please message your child’s key worker if you do not have an appointment.

Our Spring stay and play takes place on Tuesday March 31st at either 9.15am to 10.30am or 1.15pm to 2.30pm, hope to see you there!

Have a lovely weekend!