Hello!
This is our last Monday (and last week) of the session 2019-2020. Although the last term did not turn out as we had planned, we are looking forward to welcoming back some of the children this week for farewell celebrations as they will be starting school after the summer break.
For those of you who are returning after the summer we have been making plans to welcome you – and some new friends – back to a fun and safe environment. Please keep checking e-mails for details.
PLEASE COME TO THE SCHOOL’S MAIN ENTRANCE TO PICK UP YOUR CHILD’S PERSONAL ITEMS MONDAY – WEDNESDAY, 9AM-3PM. WE HAVE AMASSED A GREAT AMOUNT OF CLOTHING AND OTHER ITEMS, MUCH OF IT LABELLED, AND WOULD LIKE TO RETURN IT TO YOU BEFORE THE HOLIDAYS.
Today’s blog is inspired by some of Froebel’s gifts and occupations. As well as being underpinned by Scottish Government guidance and the latest child development theory, our nursery practice also uses the Froebelian Principles to guide our practice. You can find out more about Friedrich Froebel’s principles here: https://www.friedrichfroebel.com/elements.html
Here are today’s suggestions, based on Froebel’s gifts and occupations:
- Block play
Use blocks of different shapes (or any other loose parts that lend themselves to construction) and allow your child to explore form and shape. They may discuss how two cubes equal a cuboid or they may note the same about two triangular prisms when they fit them together. Support them with language that will help them to describe the features of each shape.
2. Clay play is one of Froebel’s occupations. Arguably messier and more difficult to manipulate that play dough but good for developing strength and fine motor muscles. It also allows children to explore how to join materials in different ways and connect with natural materials. Once a model has been made in clay and dried it can be further decorated as wished and kept, unlike playdough.
3. Weaving. Use paper, wool, string, ribbon, grass…
4. Sewing. In nursery we use large plastic needles.
5. Paper folding or origami. Lots of the children love making fans in nursery. Start with something simple then progress is your child shows interest.
Tomorrow’s blog post will explore five further areas inspires by Froebel’s occupations.
