Weekly Experiences
In Gants Hill this week the children have been printing using their feet. Foot prints are a brilliant opportunity for all, especially babies to learn. Babies learn cause and effect, therefore when they see that their feet are making prints on the paper it can encourage walking. They learn tactile and sensory skills from touching the water and feeling how the water feels on their skin and in between their toes. The children have also developed language, because practitioners are guiding the children at all times and engaging them throughout the activity.
Feet Printing GH
Feet Printing GH
The children in Rainbowfish room, South Woodford have been creating a wonderful mark making tray. They have been using chalks and crayons to marks on a black builder’s tray, which give them a definite mark on such a dark background. This is perfect for such a young age group, as they initially make marks using gross motor skills, rather than the more refined fine motor skills, which develop as a result of activities like this. The children loved to select which piece of chalk or crayon they used, which helps to develop their own independence in resource selection.
Mark Making SW
In Gants Hill the children have been playing with the parachute. Parachute play is a great way to promote teamwork amongst children and assisting them to take turns. This activity has helped to build social interaction between peers and staff. With the introduction of music this activity has helped the children to develop a sense of rhythm. Physically parachute play supports the development of the children’s upper torso.
Parachute GH
Parachute GH
The children in Stingrays room South Woodford have been getting into the Christmas spirit and have been collectively painting and decorating a tree in preparation for the festivities. The children have used green paint and staff have been guiding negotiations on whose turn it is and who should be using which paintbrush. These skills are developing and will help the child to be able to manage their own feelings and behaviour. The comments made include:
"Green" - Wren
"Paint tree" - Rafe
"Oh wow" - Francis
Christmas Tree SW
Christmas Tree SW
In Gants Hill the children have been listening to ‘Owl Babies’ by Martin Waddell and Patrick Benson. Reading books to children stimulates their imagination and expands their understanding of the world. It helps them develop language and listening skills and prepares them to understand the written word.
Owl Babies GH
Owl Babies GH
The children in Sharks room South Woodford have been exploring the contemporary children’s classic story ‘Dear zoo’. They have been using the home learning sack to provide the children with a visual of how the story is structured and the mathematics present. This includes that the story has a beginning, middle and end, and also that there are characters in the story. The staff member also whist reading the story missed out certain words in order to encourage the children to join in with the familiar repeated refrains. This celebration of books only helps to serve the children’s love for stories, and aid them as future readers. The children commented:
"Number 6" - Xavi
"Perfect" - Frederika
"Too jumpy" - Poppy
"Big elephant" - Ehsun
"This is number 1" - Isobel
Please do ask if you would like to borrow this lovely home learning sack!
'Dear Zoo' SW
In Gants Hill the older children 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
The children in Starfish room South Woodford have been budding chefs and have prepared their own tea. The children were encouraged to choose the spread they desired and use the knife to spread it over a cracker. This type of activity is fantastic to provide a variety of learning opportunities. The children gain the understanding, under adult supervision that the knife they are using to spread, must be used safely. Fine motor skills are developed through the manipulation of the knife whilst spreading their choice over the crackers. And after all this learning, they are then able to enjoy their hard work!
The children commented:
"Its easy to spread" - Laith
"Its hard" -Ishen
"Good" - Haarith
"I’m putting butter on, I like it" - Eitan
"Its like toast" – Armaan
"I’m making butter, I like crackers" - Noah
"I’m using a knife" - Isabella
"I’m spreading on toast" - Daisy
Making Tea SW
Making Tea SW
Top 5 Children’s Quotes of the week:
- "I’m getting a cat, a real life one" - Noah
- "We bring food for the people who lives in the street and I going to put water for them so they don't drink from the floor". - Zayd
- "My daddy has broken the Playstation remote, but not the red one" - Jayce
- "I going to make cookies with chocolate I like chocolate" - Maya
- "I went to see my daddy play music" - Leonard
Activity of the week:
The winner of activity of the week is Meera (SW). Meera has planned a lovely festive activity to create hand print ornaments that will become a keepsake for parents. This activity has been tied in with the target child's next step of filling and emptying containers. The activity will require the children to make the salt dough itself, therefore they will needing to use the skills necessary to fill containers with the various ingredients, then empty them into the mixing bowl. This activity will encourage interest from the children, which in turn will motivate their participation. The activity extension asks the children t develop the vocabulary to full and empty or make observations of which holds more.
Quote of the Week:
‘A child’s play is not simply a reproduction of what he has experienced, but a creative reworking of the impressions he has acquired.’
Lev Vygotsky
(Psychologist, pioneering childhood theorist)
Thank you for taking a glimpse into our Fareacres Learning Community
Until next time...
