Welcome to the Cart Mill garden

At Cart Mill, our children spend so much time outdoors!

Gardening and outdoor play in the early years can develop a wide range of skills such as physical development, hand-eye co-ordination, cognitive development, social skills and problem solving.

The children were digging and harvesting the carrots and the potatoes that we have been growing in the garden. The children are developing their awareness of the world around them, recognising different vegetables and using their senses whilst exploring different textures, smells and colours.

The children have then been exploring the different foods in the mud kitchen and learning how to be safe with kitchen tools.

The children have also been developing their gross motor skills in these art experiences outdoors. The children are strengthening their arm muscles by creating big movements with the large paint rollers developing co-ordination and body movements.

What skills will we be learning and developing next week?

Article 29: I have the right to an education

Staying safe in the STEAM room

This week in the Steam room we have been exploring all the different areas, getting  creative and learning how to use the tools and resources safely.

“We hold the scissors like this so we don’t get hurt”

The children’s imaginative play began in our block area, where they worked together to create a bed using the blocks, working out which shapes fit together and adding cushions and blankets to make it “cosy”. Their ideas then developed as they moved into our junk modelling area, creating  their own camping space using materials such as cardboard boxes and pens and jewels to decorate.

It was lovely to see how one idea developed naturally into another, with the children confidently leading their own learning through play.

To round up the week our mini scientists have been exploring colours through water play, developing early skills such as colour mixing/recognition , measuring, capacity and developing their fine motor skills.

What will we be learning next week?!

Article 36: I have the right to be kept safe