The Den:

Thematic learning:

We are continuing our exploration of Autumn this week with a focus on pumpkins. This week, we created a shape sorter using a pumpkin. The children were fascinated and showed good fine motor skills as they picked up the shapes and tried to place them into the correct hole. This was a great way to talk about early mathematical concepts like shapes, speaking ‘triangle, circle’ and ‘square.’ We also spoke about the pieces being ‘too big’ or ‘too small’ which is a great introduction to functional mathematical language.

We also washed the pumpkins this week which the children really enjoyed. We added coloured paint and sponges so the children could ‘wash’ them. We heard lots of language like “wash, clean, squeeze”. The addition of the sponges was a great way to further develop fine motor skills as they had to grip them tight to wash them.

Staffing updates:

Staff have attended ‘schools of sanctuary’ training this week with Matildè from Gateshead council. A School of Sanctuary is a school that is committed to being a safe, welcoming, and inclusive place for everyone — especially for people seeking sanctuary. We look forward to continuing this training and to promoting a sense of inclusion and belonging for all of our families.