Weekly Experiences
In Gants Hill this week the children have been making sounds using pots and pans. Hands-on music play with instruments is not only stimulating but a great way to enhance children’s fine motor skills. The children also love exploring the variety of sounds they can make on their own, which in turn fosters their sense of independence. Music play is an excellent opportunity for social interaction with other children.
Making Music GH
Making Music GH
The children in Rainbowfish room, South Woodford have been exploring a jungle world full of different textures. The children used their senses to feel the play-doh floor of the jungle and the trees made from broccoli and other various plants. This sensory activity ignites an interest from younger children as this is their main method of learning. The children are able to develop their fine motor skills, as manipulating the resources improve dexterity.
Jungle Playdough SW
In Gants Hill the children have been decorating Christmas trees. This activity encourages fine motor skills, neural development, and problem-solving abilities and that it can be used effectively to teach and understand other key subjects such as reading, writing, maths, and science. This activity requires and encourages increasing amounts of dexterity and coordination, yet they are so fun and rewarding that children want to do them over and over.
Christmas Trees GH
Christmas Trees GH
The children in Stingrays room South Woodford have been embracing the festivities and have created their own snowmen. They have used a variety of materials to achieve the desired effect. The children were shown how to scrunch tissue paper into a ball and stick onto the template of snowmen. At first sight this looks like a lovely craft activity, but the learning opportunities are plentiful and range from ‘Personal, Social and Emotional’ to ‘Physical’ development.
Snowmen SW
Snowmen SW
In Gants Hill the children have been mark making using ice, mark making opens the door for children to express themselves in a completely new way, offering them the opportunity to express their feelings and thoughts, without relying solely upon verbal communication. Children may use mark making as a way of sharing their thoughts and feelings with adults around them, telling stories as they draw or sharing their completed picture with others. With the introduction of ice, this becomes a more sensory experience for all who participate.
Mark Making with ice GH
Mark Making with ice GH
The children in Sharks room South Woodford have been using the children’s modern literature classic ‘The Gruffalo’ to play the card game snap. This type of game encourages the two-year-old age group to take turns, and tolerate delay when their own needs are not immediately met. The use of a favourite story adds to the appeal of the game and prompts full participation from the children.
They made the following comments:
"Gruffalo" - Xavi
"Look the Fox is running away" - Frederika
"He had purple prickles" - Ariya
"Big brown mouse" - Zach
The Gruffalo SW
The Gruffalo SW
In Gants Hill the older children have been learning about the Christmas story with Hilary Hazel. Hilary Hazel runs weekly sessions for music and movement in each room in the nursery. Hilary focuses on different festivals and uses a wide range of multi-cultural instruments and music with the children. Hilary Hazel used puppets to support the children’s understanding of the Christmas Story.
Christmas Story GH
Christmas Story GH
The children in Starfish room South Woodford have been playing number bingo. The children in the pre-school room have a keen interest in number and love to explore them through the fun of a game. Number recognition is an important part of a child’s mathematical development and helps them to be able to represent a numeral when indicating an amount. The game is also a great way to develop other skills, such as turn taking, listening and attention, and speaking.
The children commented:
"It’s the same number" - Isla
"I love games" - Eitan
"All my grownups played this on holiday" - Jessica
"Matching the numbers" - Daisy
"We're putting the numbers on I did it" - Laith
"It’s a good game" - Saanvi
"It’s Bingo easy" - James
Bingo SW
Bingo SW
Top 5 Children’s Quotes of the week:
- “Do you know I am learning numbers from my sister's math’s" - Vanishka
- "I’m making a Christmas surprise for my mum it’s a secret" - Mae
- “Bye darling" - Mehek
- “Remember Father Christmas is watching" - Laith
- "My mummy gone to the hospital to help and daddy has gone to work" - Mahd
Quote of the Week:
'Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.'
(Aristotle)
As this is the last blog of the year we would like to take this opportunity to thank you for all your support.
Season’s Greetings and a Happy New Year from all staff at Fareacres.
Thank you for taking a glimpse into our Fareacres Learning Community
Until next time...
