Investigation Hub and Discovery Hub at Deckham

What an exciting week we had with the arrival of snow midweek! It was slippery in our outdoor area, so we brought the snow indoors instead! The children explored the snow with their hands, spoons, jugs and bowls. Some of them moulded it into mini snowmen! They also enjoyed adding small world creatures to develop imaginative play and language. We noticed that our hands were wet when playing with the snow, as it began to melt and turn to water. Some children also made pictures inspired by the snow, using sticker shapes, glue and glitter.

We have been exploring light and dark. At group time the Investigation Hub children explored creating shadows with their bodies, by blocking the light from our projector. They created lots of different movements with their shadows. Some of the children then explored combining materials including card, matchsticks and straws to make our own shadow puppets. The children then tested these out by holding them infront of a torch light. They enjoyed seeing the shadows created, and some children thought of the idea of using their hands to create their own shadow ‘puppet’.

The Discovery Hub children have been sharing the story ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’ this week which provides wonderful opportunities for developing vocabulary through repeated exposure to the same words, and engagement with a story through actions and beginning to join in with repeated refrains. 

The Investigation Hub children have been sharing the story ‘The Enormous Turnip’. The children engaged with the story through joining in with recalling key words and events, and role-playing the actions of the characters. To develop our understanding of what a turnip is, we examined a real one and some of us even had a taste of it!  

This week has been Road Safety Week. We have developed our understanding of this through songs, playing traffic light games, and role-playing crossing the road safely. The children used small world cars, people, roads and signs, to explore using traffic lights and zebra crossings safely. 

Discovery Hub story of the week – We’re Going on a Bear Hunt

Investigation Hub story of the week – The Enormous Turnip

Song of the week – The Wheels on the Bus

Parents as Partners:

You might like to sing this road safety song with your child at home.

(To the Tune of 10 Green Bottles):

Stop, look and listen, before you cross the road.

Stop, look and listen, before you cross the road. 

Use your eyes and your ears, before you use your toes.

Stop, look and listen, before you cross the road. 

We are looking forward to seeing many of you at the ‘Stay and Play’ sessions which are taking place next week on Thursday 27th November. This will be a lovely opportunity for you to come and spend time with your child at nursery, exploring their favourite areas and engaging in play together. Please add your name to the sign up sheet in the cloakroom area if you would like to join us for either the morning or afternoon ‘Stay and Play’.

We hope you have a nice weekend.