Let’s read!
At Fareacres we all know the benefits of reading to our children are greater than just introducing them to literacy. Reading aloud to children plays a vital role in their learning and development. Recent research suggests that due to the demanding nature of modern day living, children are not being read to. As many as half of pre-school school children are not being read to daily and this is having a negative impact on their development.
At Fareacres, children are read aloud to daily. This occurs within circle times, but also within free play. Children will often request a story during this time and this usually is shared initially on a one to one between staff and child, however, it is very common that other children very quickly join and this fast becomes a small group story time.
There are a plethora of benefits for children in experiencing these times when they are being read aloud to. Of course children will become familiar with stories, how they are structured and information that is presented and this is all covered in the Literacy area of learning within the EYFS. However, they also extend their ability in speaking, understanding and their listening and attention skills which falls within the communication and language area of learning in the EYFS.
Additional to development in Literacy and communication and language, children also develop their personal, social and emotional skills. Whilst being read to aloud, children are forming bonds with the staff and also their peers. They are forming interests and the disposition to become a future reader, as well as the social skills required to sit and listen to the book being read.
At Fareacres, the reading aloud to children is embedded in practice, and it would beneficial to the children if this was occurring at home as well. A bedtime story can quickly become part of the routine and is a time before sleep when a child can fully engage with their parent/ carer. It is nationally recognised that reading aloud to your child for 10 minutes a day can have a positive impact on their education far beyond the early years.
If you would like to read the recent article regarding reading aloud to children, then please follow the link below:
Weekly Experiences
The children in rainbow fish South Woodford have been making their own paint to make marks. Painting supports the children acquire hand-eye coordination, an important skill in their age. This is developed while they learn to paint the parts that they see; making sure their hand movement is at par with their vision. Painting helps to develop mobility skills in the children. Their hand muscles are being used, which allows them a scope to develop both mentally and physically. Making your own paint add may different elements to the developmental benefits such as the mixing of the paint the large movements from the children encouraging muscle development from the top of the arm down to the fingers.
Please click the link for the recipe for homemade paint:
https://tinkerlab.com/salt-and-flour-paint/
Painting Activity SW
Painting Activity SW
Painting Activity SW
The children in Gants Hill have been using real tools as part of their play this week. This play is always done with the supervision of adults. This play is called tinkering and for many children it fuels their natural curiosity about life. Tinkering during play teaches the children valuable lessons such as helping develop fine motor skills which then reinforce emerging literacy skills, problem solving abilities, and peer relationships. This play offers vast communication opportunities for all. Both the boys and girls have been fully engaged within the play.
Tinkering GH
Tinkering GH
Tinkering GH
Tinkering GH
Tinkering GH
Tinkering GH
The children in stingrays in South Woodford have been exploring their senses using different types of fruit. The children will be encourage to explore all the senses with the healthy fruit. Exploring fruits using the senses is a great way for young children to get hands-on experience. This open-ended activity allows young children to learn about the five senses of touch, taste, sight, smell and sound while exploring new and familiar fruits up close. The communication opportunities are vast in this activity from naming the fruits to the introduction of describing the textures.
The children in Gants Hill have been exploring cooked Halal jelly. Young children learn and develop through play, but especially through unstructured, exploratory play. Jelly play focuses on exploring and experimenting with different materials without any end goal such as to build or make something. This allows young children to make their own discoveries using their senses, curiosity and knowledge. Jelly play is a very sociable activity, but one that doesn’t rely on solely on words, however, it can also be a way of encouraging speech, for example by describing sensations, textures etc., and helping your child build their vocabulary.
Jelly Play GH
Jelly Play GH
Jelly Play GH
Jelly Play GH
The children in the sharks in South Woodford have been practicing their yoga skills. Sarah Jayne led the session using the children’s sleeping mats as their yoga mats, this gave the children an awareness of personal space. There are many benefits to this activity, baby yoga helps the children develop through yoga poses, which can aid in their gross and fine motor skills. The activity created a balance between strength and flexibility in the children’s developing bodies, so they grow strong and maintain their flexibility. This was a great activity to initiate social interaction in a non-competitive environment for the children.
Yoga SW
Yoga SW
Yoga SW
Yoga SW
The children in Gants Hill have been using role play to extend their learning. The children have been accessing the space station set in the garden. The set consists of moon rocks, telescopes, space helmets, non-fiction books to access and much more. There are so many benefits of role play within Early Years settings. Role play is an important part of child development, as it offers many developmental opportunities such as building confidence, the chance for creative communication, physically and problem solving. Along with being a fun activity, it also allows children to get into character and act out real life roles or fictional roles.
Role Play GH
Role Play GH
Role Play GH
The children in starfish in South Woodford have been exploring animals and their habitats by drawing their favourite animals. Learning about animals is incorporated in the understanding the world area of learning within the EYFS. Learning about the different animals and habitats has helped the children make more sense of the world we live in. This activity has promoted observation skills & explanation for the children to look in non-fiction books to see if they can find where their favourite animal lives and draw. This activity covers all area of the EYFS including mathematics, literacy, communication and language, understanding of the world and physical. Here are some quotes from the children when carrying out this activity:
Eve - "I love giraffes I love them they make me happy"
Kassie - "A yellow duck is my favourite"
Eitan - "A rabbit cos it’s got long ears"
Luca- "A Tiger is best cos its orange"
Millie- "A cat I see them on the way to Nursery"
Animals SW
Animals SW
Animals SW
Animals SW
The children in Gants Hill have been participating in tummy time after tea. Tummy time is very important for the development of children. The children go to the carpet area and use a cushion to lay on as the staff member puts on calm relaxing music. Staff members sit with the children encouraging them to lay down. This activity strengthens the children’s head, neck, and upper body muscles. Tummy time also supports to build the strength and coordination needed for rolling over, crawling, reaching, and playing for the younger children.
Tummy Time GH
Tummy Time GH
Top 5 Children’s Quotes of the week
- “My daddy goes to work and mum takes me to Nursery" – Luca
- "I decorated my house for Chinese New Year" - Minh Anh
- "I'm strong I ate porridge and my breakfast" – Andreas
- "The children broke my London Bridge" – Zayd
- "I haven't got any money to pay for the bus" – Samuel B
Quote of the Week:
‘Children are made readers in the laps of their parents.’
- Emilie Buchwald (Author and Editor)
Thank you for taking a glimpse into our Fareacres Learning Community
Until next time...
