2-3: The Discovery Hub

This week we have been thinking of Autumn in nursery. We have continued looking at the changes to the outdoor environment as we observe the fallen leaves and sticks.

Outdoor Learning

We have been exploring gathering the leaves and sticks together to create collections to use in the environment. As the children explored with the animals, we added sticks and leaves to the tray and the children used them as food to fed the ‘hungry’ dinosaurs and animals. The children then explored using the animals and dinosaurs to stamp on the sticks, noticing them breaking into smaller pieces. We listened to the sticks as the children snapped them commenting “1,2,3,snap”. Some of the children commenting on the changes to the appearance such as “mine is little now”.

Playing and Exploring and Active Learning

Within the nursery we have been exploring using the leaves in various ways. The children have been exploring using glue to creating sticking pictures with the leaves. With modelling from staff, the children have explored using the glue spreaders to spread the glue across paper and boxes before adding the leaves. We discussed how the leaves are turning “crunchy” and we explored squeezing them in our hands to sprinkle on the glue. The children have shown pride in their achievements this week as they comment “I did it” and “look at my picture”.

Communication and Language

We have added some Autumn resources to the environment this week and the children have shown great curiosity with these resources. The children have loved exploring looking at the various pumpkins added and explore finding the pumpkins in related stories.

Some of the children have explored looking at our Harvest collection this week. We observed the various items in the collection and explored looking at the tins, bags and jars. During our observations, we discussed what was inside of the tin, how we would open the jar or tin and if we liked the item. Some of the children begun to use language such as “heavy” to describe the items. As we looked at the items, some of the children noticed the shop logo on the back, making connections to experiences of shops “it Aldi”. We discussed with the children how we are going to give the food to people who need it.

Staffing updates

This week some of our staff team engaged in training reflecting on the families and people in our community. We discussed how our interactions and communication skills are so important to children at this age.

Parents as Partners

This week our song of the week has been Autumn Leaves (to the tune of London Bridge is falling down). As we have explored the song, we explored watching the leaves fall from our hands.

This week we have been exploring the book Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you see? The children have been identifying the colours and animals within the book. They have also been thinking of the noises the animals may make.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to our Harvest Festival collection, the children have shown curiosity with the various tins and items which we have had a look at together.

Have a lovely weekend!

The Nursery Team