Weekly Experiences
The younger children at Gants Hill have been participating in animal yoga. 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.
Animal Yoga GH
Animal Yoga GH
The children in Rainbowfish room, South Woodford have been young artists this week and have been using paint to create marks on paper on the floor. This type of activity is perfect for the younger age group as it requires large movements which helps the development of recognition of how marks are made. This activity also aids the development of communication and language as the practitioners engage with the children throughout the painting.
The children at Gants Hill the children have been participating in a cutting and sticking activity. This is to reinforce our topic ‘Animals through the ages’ there are many benefits to this activity. The children are learning to cut with scissors which will develop the children’s hand – eye coordination, fine motor skills. When using the scissors remember to direct the children to hold them correctly i.e. thumb at the top and forefinger at the bottom, this will sit comfortably and the children will gain suitable scissor control. Once all the cutting is completed spread the glue onto the paper and stick the cut-out pieces on the glue.
Cutting and Sticking GH
The children in Stingrays room South Woodford have also been artists this week, and have they been cutting and sticking to create their own pictures. The children were independently choosing which resources they wanted to use for their masterpieces. This independent choice is an important aspect of the activity as it helps to develop their personal, social and emotional development. They commented:
"Sticking" - Rafe
“Glue and paper" – Wren
Cutting and Sticking SW
The children at Gants Hill the children have been using ‘Dinosaur feet and Tiger feet’ to walk around the garden. This activity has long been a great toy for children to improve balance and coordination. These durable ‘Dinosaur feet and Tiger feet’ sets an amazing, modern take on the classic toy ‘stilts’ however more fun than ever. The staff encourage the children to create animal noises as they are walking around the garden, extending their imaginative skills.
Dino Feet/Tiger Feet GH
Dino Feet/Tiger Feet GH
The children in Sharks room South Woodford have been busy exploring bubble painting. The practitioner mixed three colours and this was then blown onto paper through straws. The children then used their hands to spread the bubble paint over the paper. This exploration led to the children witnessing what happens to colours when they are mixed, and this is an element in the Expressive arts and design area of learning within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The children commented:
"This is not purple its blue" - Ayaan
"Look at the big bubble" - Edward
"It’s fell down" - Ehsun
"Green, red and blue" – Julia
Bubble painting SW
The children at Gants Hill the children have have been making shapes using materials from the garden. This activity has given the children practice with shapes which helps them solidify their understanding of the two-dimensional structures. That knowledge of shapes gives the young children an advantage in many areas of learning. These areas of learning include Problem Solving, Literacy, Math’s and Categorisation and Comparisons.
Making Shapes GH
Making Shapes GH
The children in Starfish room South Woodford have been participating in the traditional game of ‘Musical chairs.’ The children listened intently as the practitioner gave the instructions and had lots of fun joining in with this friendly competition. This game helps children develop the managing of their feelings and behaviour, as the game requires the children to follow the instructions and also tolerate the possibility of not ‘Winning’. The children commented:
"I'm the winner" - Isla
“My turn" - Mae
"Loud music" - James
"I know this game" – Daisy
Musical Chairs
Musical chairs SW
Top 5 Children’s Quotes of the week:
- "I see a owl" – Mabrur
- “My Daddy come” - Arjun
- "Look Marnie, a car" – Sara
- "I love Harry Potter so much it’s my favourite" - Mae
- "Trains on the track" – Cayden
Activity of the Week:
The winner this week is Archana (GH). Archana has planned a natural painting activity. She has planned to use the juice from carrots and beetroot as the paint and for the children to make marks with this. This activity is to help a child achieve a Literacy: Writing next step of to write their own name. This novel activity offers the children a new experience, which in turn helps motivate them to engage fully, thus encouraging learning and development. The activity extension asks the children to write words other than their name.
Quote of the Week:
‘The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention’
Oscar Wilde
Thank you for the donations we have received so far for our Easter Collection, please remember we are collecting until Friday 12th April 2019.
Thank you for taking a glimpse into our Fareacres Learning Community
Until next time...
