Investigation Hub and Discovery Hub at Deckham

This week the Investigation Hub children have continued to explore the story of ‘The Three Little Pigs’. In group times, they have been retelling the story using props, and have begun to use key phrases from the story. They have observed and handled materials from the story – straw, sticks and bricks. They have also worked together to build a house for the pigs using blocks. 

Characteristics of effective learning – Playing and exploring 

Within their play this week, some children also chose to use the large cardboard boxes and loose parts to build a house. It began as a house for toy dinosaurs but then evolved into a house for humans as it grew in size! More children came to join and they had to figure out how to make the house larger. 

“This can be a chimney”.

“This sliding bit can be the door.”

“Knock, knock.” “Come in.” 

The children in the Discovery Hub have been focussing on learning the names of familiar animals, and the sounds that they make – enjoying stories such as Dear Zoo. 

The children have been selecting from, and using, a range of materials and tools at the creative studio. Some children chose to make for a particular purpose, for example, creating a birthday card, and others just experimented with the process of combining materials. There has been lots of interest demonstrated in using scissors for snipping paper and straws, and to cut sellotape. We have a a range of types of scissors that match to the children’s developing motor skills and hand strength. There have been discussions around whether sellotape or glue would be best for joining particular materials. 

Some of the children have been enjoying the challenge and experience of using some of the physical equipment, including the mini trampoline and climbing frame. 

Parents as Partners

We begin each session with a welcome time together, in which the children enjoy songs, sharing their news and planning their activities for the day. Please can we ask that our morning children arrive at 9.00am and our afternoon children arrive at 12.45pm so that they do not miss out on this valuable learning experience. A reminder that nursery finishes for the day at 3.45pm and all children who attend for the afternoon session only, must be collected by this time. Thank you for your support with this. 

We hope you have a lovely weekend.