This week in the malleable  area the children have shown an interest in mixing a range of materials to make their own deadly concoctions and were able to come up with inventive ingredients for their makes. They explored colour mixing and were able to observe changes in texture and appearance and showed particular interest in the interactions between oil and water which we will explore further. The children looked at images from nature of things that were venomous and poisonous and were able and equated certain colours with danger. We discussed ways to stay safe both at home and whilst out and about.

MM ” Mushrooms are only safe if you pick them from the shops”

“I’m mixing frogs and puppy dog tails and slime”

“Oil and water don’t melt together”

SC ” I’m making a poison apple and a poison potion”

” If you have poison you might get sick and be dead”

ES “I’m putting in worms and when you drink it you’ll be asleep for years and years”

AK “You don’t take sweets from strangers as they might be bad guys and they might taste bad with poison in them”

AK “Snakes and plants can make you sick too”

GM “That caterpillar looks like its got sushi on its back and I want to eat it but its poison-il put my potion on it so it will take the poison away so i can eat it” sparkle word anti-venom.

“That spider is a black widow ”

This week in creative we have been exploring Lunar New Year, learning about the traditions and how people celebrate. This supports the children to become aware of different religions and cultures, developing respect and understanding of their own and others beliefs and values.

One of our families brought in a Chinese dragon which inspired the children to make their own. We worked as a team to plan what it could look like and what materials we needed. As you can see from the photos the children did a brilliant job and loved taking turns to parade around nursery. 

We also created a sensory bin where the children could explore different materials and textures and explore how to use chopsticks.

Some of the children expressed an interest in the Chinese script they saw whilst using the Ipad to research the event, so we printed off some numbers to practice writing them in Chinese. 

We have really enjoyed learning new things from this celebration and look forward to exploring Ramadan and Easter next.

As we celebrated the start of the Lunar New Year, the year of the horse, we collaborated with the creative zone to create a dancing dragon that was similar to one that a child had brought in from home and the children had seen in the Chinese celebrations. The children made pom poms to attach to the dragon using lots of different colours, mainly red. 

Children took part in hands-on baking and pancake-making experiences using ingredients such as carrot and cinnamon, raisin and caramel, and raspberries. Through measuring, mixing, pouring, and cooking, children developed early maths skills (counting, weighing, and understanding quantities), fine motor skills, and hand–eye coordination. They explored sensory experiences by smelling spices, tasting new flavours, and observing changes in texture and colour during cooking. The activity also supported language development as children named ingredients and followed simple instructions. Working together encouraged social skills, turn-taking, and confidence, while promoting healthy eating awareness and curiosity about food.

In our outdoor area, we have begun transforming the garden to reflect and support the children’s growing interests. The team have worked incredibly hard to relocate the mud kitchen to a more accessible space where children now have greater opportunities for imaginative play, sensory exploration, and collaborative learning as they mix, create, and role-play together. We have also introduced a large cycle track, which encourages children to be active, develop their balance and coordination, and build confidence as they navigate the space. These changes have created a more engaging outdoor environment that promotes physical development, creativity, and sustained shared play, while allowing children to lead their own learning through exploration and enjoyment. Here are some pictures of the work in progress.