Impromptu school visit

To ease a few of the anxieties around going to school, we took a walk around the primary one department. Miss Boyd kindly invited us into her classroom to join in with her pirate themed activities.

We met friends along the way.

Bugs are out in full force

The children have shown a keen interest in bug hunting. We lift tyres, logs, wood slices and pallets in the search for cool insects. Some of the boys think it is funny to chase the girls with their bugs, making the scream.

Biscuits to start the week

Some of the children helped Margaret to bake biscuits, they followed a simple recipe and then felt adventurous enough to add extra ingredients. The finished cookies were delicious.

Technology

We received a desktop computer with keyboard and mouse. The children were very excited to try it out. This helps develop their fine motor skills using a mouse and the ability to follow instructions with a keyboard.

Boys and their books

Busy birthday week

Jumpy has returned

The Green frog 🐸  group are over joyed. He was once lost and has now returned for squeeze cuddles.

Our papier-mache planets are ready for painting. The children loved the concept of painting the planets as they hung from a wooden frame. One of the frog group children was my in house astrology expert. He was consulted on the colours and placement of each planet.

Some of the children wanted to see what Earth looks like to help them paint the planet accurately. We used the Ipad to research planet images as reference.

“That’s the flames on the sun”

The children then sorted stars and moons using tweezers; this develops fine motor skills.

The Green frogs are very upset, Jumpy their group mascot has gone missing.

The children drew “wanted and missing” posters in the hope of his safe return.

Continue reading When the planets align →

Our week began with a keen interest in the planets and the solar system.

We used the promethean board to research planets. Some of the children found this very interesting. Did you know that Saturn’s rings are made of ice?

By mid week we began making papier-mache planets using balloons. When they are dry we will paint them.

Mark making in the sun

“I did 2 circles, a big one and a small one”

“That says Mummy”

There were pregnancies and medical emergencies but our on call doctors were ready to help.

The sunshine made play so much more fun. Lot’s of physical activities from slides, to hide and seek, balancing mud pies.

The Chestnut room celebrated King Charles’s coronation with a party. We had sandwiches, crisps,  jelly and cake. We wore our crowns with pride and waved our flags. When the music started we all had a boogie.

We have reintroduced mindfulness and slow deep breathing to the children. We talk the children through their own breath in and out. Allowing the opportunity to become mindful of their emotions and physical well-being, appreciate and concentrate on the present moment.

Puppy visit 🐾

Lee-Anne brought her new puppy, Angus into the nursery. He caused a lot of excitement. Most of the children seemed curious to what you need to care for a young pup.

Celebration Preparations for the new King Charles.

The children have explored their creative side both at home and in the playroom. They have made a giant collage crown adorned with red, white and blue tissue paper and shredded paper.

At home the boys and girls have helped their parents design and make celebratory paper plates.

Story time: Hannah Polland 

Some of the children had the opportunity to listen to a story written and illustrated by Hannah. Her book outlines the importance of living in the moment, enjoying the smells, sounds, touch, taste and sights all around you. Using your 5 senses to appreciate the world around you.

Road safety

With it being such a beautiful morning we decided to walk to the local park. Firstly we discussed the importance of crossing the road safely using the Zebra crossing.

Then we played in the park. We followed the rules to keep us safe inside the park. We talked about staying within the fenced area, not touching litter and risk assessing our physical play on the swings and climbing frame.

Water play proved popular out in the garden. There was guttering, scoops and in the mud kitchen soups, ice creams and spicy sauce.

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There is always time to pose

“Take my picture now!”

We finished the week with a sing song using the song box for the children wanting a little break from the sunshine.

Spring is in the air

Getting creative in the Spring sun. Painting on a large scale proved popular with the Chestnut children. Taking advantage of the sunshine as inspiration, the children used pastel colours to paint a beautiful display on the garden fence.

Fine motor practice 

We regularly offer the children opportunities to develop their fine motor skills, hand to eye coordination and strength in their hands and fingers. Potato chopping was the experience to put their skills to the test. Most children spent long periods of time engaged and Concentrating on the job at hand.

After chopping potatoes, the children got creative with them and lots of paint.

More fine motor practice with chocolate scented play dough 🍫

Easter egg designers

Orbeez 

Orbeez offer the children the opportunity to explore volume as they fill and empty containers. Using little egg containers added a cute Easter twist.

Easter Bonnets 

What an amazing selection of unique and imaginative Easter Bonnets we have this year. Well done everyone.

Transitions with our Buddies

P6 planned physical activities for our preschoolers in the gym hall. Everyone had fun and demonstrated great listening skills.

Time has been on their mind

The children have a new found interest in time and reading the clock. Margaret discussed the parts of a clock and the job of the “big hand and small hand”. Some of the children drew their own clocks and shared why time is important to them.

Money money money 

The children have been investigating the differences between coins. They drew round them, rubbed the surface with crayon and shared their experiences with money.

Messy toes

What started as a little paint mixing turned into hands, arms, toes, feet and legs covered. The children loved exploring the cold sensation of paint on their skin, even though walking in paint was very slippy.

Windy Wednesday 

The wind was so strong today that the children were being blown around the garden, which they found hilarious. We made ribbon wands to show the direction and speed of the wind.

Balancing is tricky when windy.

Friends can help when we wobble.

Shortbread biscuits 

Our weekly baking spot involved baking shortbread biscuits or as some of the children say ” Gingerbread biscuits ”

Measuring ingredients using kitchen scales.

Rubbing in the butter with our fingers.

Rolling

Cutting circle biscuits

Some children have shown an interest in time and reading the hands on the clock.

Casper’s Mum visited the library to choose a book to share with us. The children sit and listen attentively.

Emily’s mum was kind enough to share her and Emily’s favourite bed time story.

Real coins in play

We introduced the children to real coins, we discussed their value and made some crayon rubbings to highlight the markings/textures.

Setting up shop

The children have developed a “coffee” “cookie” “Tesco” Asda” and “ice-cream ” shop.

Our story of choice this week has been “The Gingerbread man”. The children drew around a template and cut out their men’s outline, before personalising him or her to their individual style. Some wore “backpacks, to go to school” some “Gingerbread guys” and others were up to date on modern technology, holding a mobile phone.

“Gingerbread man needs a phone so we can phone him!”

“That’s his wee legs”

Baking the Gingerbread man using play dough.

Our primary 6 buddies came back to visit.

Logan was very excited to see his big sister.

Our P6 buddies shared a story with us

“I love him, he’s my friend!”

Koa and Kyo’s Dad read the really funny story of “The dinosaur that pooped a planet”