2-3: The Discovery Hub and 3-4: The Investigation Hub at Deckham

Play and Exploring

On Monday, we had a wonderful visit from Helen who talked to us about how we can look after our teeth. She brought along some resources for the children to explore with. She discussed with the children that we need to

·      Brush out teeth twice a day (once when we get up in the morning and once when we are getting ready for bed)

·      Brush for 2 minutes

·      Brush our teeth in circles

The children then had a turn with using the large toothbrush and mirror to brush and check the teeth. During this exploration, the children were able to make their open connections to their experiences of which colour toothbrush they have, when they brush their teeth and how much toothpaste they use.

We then spoke about Healthy Eating and which food and drink items are healthy. The children then explored grouping the items as “healthy” or “unhealthy”. During this opportunity they explained their opinions of the item “I like apple” and “I like carrots…they are hard”.

It has been a very warm week this week and we have been exploring ways to stay cool. The children have helped Miss Goodrick to make “tents” in the garden as we create shaded areas. The children explored using the tools to help peg down the materials so they wouldn’t blow away. We have also been exploring ice in nursery as we observed the ice melting in the water tray. As we had added colour to the ice the children predicted which colour the water would turn to ask the colours mixed together.

Thinking Creatively and Critically

We have heard some building work happening over the last few days and the children have been very curious to what this could be. The children followed the noise and notice it was outside of the windows in the music area. We had a look out of the windows and found the workmen building a fence. Some of the children went to investigate with staff as we looked at the work commencing. The children commented on the tools they could see and loved seeing the digger. We talked about how the many carrying the bucket looked “heavy” with some of the children saying “I can do that I’m strong”.

This week the children have helped Miss Goodrick to build our own sandpit for the garden. We said we were builders and the children explained we needed jackets on, making connections to seeing builders wearing high-vi jackets. We looked at the instructions when opening the box and found the numerals explaining the order of the steps. We explored the parts as we opened the box and checked the materials, noticing if we put the four triangles together it would make a square. The children counted to make sure we had the correct number of resources needed. The children predicted which tools we would need to build the sandpit saying “screwdriver” “hammer” and “wrench”. We talked about how to stay safe while using the tools and the children took turns to press the button to move the screws. Once it was finished we moved it over to the door. One of the children explained “we have a problem…it too small (the door)”. We then talked about how we could get the sandpit outside some suggesting we “turn it over (onto its side). Amy suggested we open the other door, the children were amazed and commented “it will fit now”. They helped to carry the sandpit up to the area in the garden and helped to pour the sand into the new sandpit. The children were very proud of their achievements and have loved exploring with the sand pit.

Communication and Language

As some of the children go on transition visits to their new schools or September we have been talking about how the children are feeling. Using resources and stories such as the Colour Monster this week, the children have talked about experiences that make them feel a certain way “going to the park makes me happy” or “I feel sad when I fall over”. As we discuss the children’s visits we have talked about the similarities and differences between the classrooms. “It has a water area like here” “they have blocks too”. (If your child has a visit coming up, please let Emma know so we can include this during our group times).

Active Learning

Across the week the Investigators and discovers have worked on developing their fine motor skills in a variety of experience. We can see the developments the children are making as they use mark making tools, scissors and threading tools. 

Some of our children have explored the Sensory Room this week. The children are following their interests as they explore the resources that travel and make a sound or movement. It is lovely for the staff to see the focus the children are making as they follow their choices in the Sensory Room.

Parents as Partners

This week s song of the week has been Wind the bobbin.

Just a reminder school will be closed tomorrow Friday 20th June for a staff training day.

The Nursery Team