The PEEP group explored the topic – Making the most of technology.

We discussed opportunities for families to participate in their children’s use of electronic devices -computers,phones,cameras and tv, discussing access to appropriate electronic media -dvds, apps,Youtube and CBeebies.

Families shared some of the activities that their children particularly enjoyed at home ‘Number Jacks’, ‘Toca Boca’, ‘Sumdog’, watching Youtube and taking photos on both phones and cameras.

Sharing their experiences using technology with an interested adult helps children to learn more from the activities.

We had fun creating books – cutting out pictures from magazines and comics about our favourite characters from television, games and films. We made up new stories and talked about why we liked the characters developing our early literacy skills – talking, listening writing and reading.

More information is available on the website

www.peeple.org.uk

The morning and afternoon nursery sessions came together for a traditional Christmas Party enjoying games, songs and party treats.

We had a very special visitor! Santa heard the children had been very good and dropped by the nursery with a sack full of presents. Santa enjoyed listening to ‘Jingle Bells’ and ‘When Santa Got Stuck the Chimney’.

Santa is looking forward to visiting everyone again on Christmas Eve.

The children were delighted to perform their christmas songs and poem to their families.

The children helped to plan the informal events choosing the songs and then taking turns to introduce them. For some of the children this is their first experience of performing to an audience and they all did very well becoming accustomed to a new challenge. They will build on this experience throughout their time in nursery gradually increasing their confidence performing and speaking to an audience.

The nursery children visited the residents at Servite Care Home in Leuchars sharing the joy of Christmas performing a selection of songs.

My favourite song was ‘Jingle bells’.  Said an excited Layla.

“They liked the singing!” Maisie enjoyed performing to our audience.

“They were clapping that’s how you know -it lets people know how good they are.” Explained a delighted Samuel.

As part of delivering the Curriculum for Expressive Arts the children are given the opportunity to experience the excitement of performing for audiences. The experience also allows them to develop an understanding of their role in representing the nursery in the wider community. Their confidence soared as they were complimented on their singing and lovely manners by the staff and residents at Servite.  Studies have shown that there are many benefits for all age groups in inter-generational learning and we are planning to extend the nursery experiences in the coming term.

The PEEP group chose to explore the Early Maths PEEP topic

Sorting and matching.

“Sorting is an important early mathematical skill – it is a way of organising things and focusing on similar and different characteristics.”

“When children explore sorting and matching in everyday life or as part of their play, they are building the foundations for more advanced mathematical and scientific thinking later on.”

peep learning together programme @peeple

We discussed opportunities to explore and learn about sorting and matching during play, and as part of daily life and routines. Interacting with the children we help model mathematical language and concepts of sorting and matching.

We sorted the cutlery into knives,forks and spoons – then we sorted the spoons into different sizes -small( teaspoon), middle size (dessert spoon) big spoon (serving).

 “I lay the table.” Some children shared that they helped do jobs at home. We discussed and recognised the learning involved in such tasks.

“I help mummy put the shopping away and get it out. Put cold things in the fridge. You need to look at the pictures on the tins.” Said Layla.

I am sorting by food type, thinking about science hot/cold and using environmental print.

Maisie explained she helps to sort and match the socks at home. We could sort them into groups for different people next.

The children help to tidy their toys at nursery and at home. We sort the toy animals into categories -farm, zoo, dinosaurs and sea creatures at nursery.

The nursery children made playdough and decorated craft to sell at the Christmas Market to raise funds for the school. The nursery raised £40 thank you to everyone who supported us! We are developing our knowledge and understanding about what money is and how it is used everyday. The children helped to operate the stall, write the price tickets and experienced the role of shopkeeper and customer.

“We were selling playdough – my mummy buyed it!”

Said a very happy Gracie S.

“I was getting all the money in the basket. Then I did the sweetie game.”

Explained Aulley.

Verity shared her experience of the whole school event.

“My nanna looked around with me. She got lots of things we had fun!

As part of the School and Nursery Improvement Priorities the nursery children are developing their digital skills. (QI 3.3)

• Use of digital technologies enhancing play and learning.
• Access to a range of everyday technologies and understanding how they work.
• Becoming confident in using technologies to problem solve.
• Awareness of digital technologies in their home and community.

“We use the water machine to get water for snack. It is really cold” Said Aulley.

“We use the computer to play learning games and draw.”  Shared Gracie.

” How hot is the milk?” We used the digital probe to investigate the temperature of liquids from the the fridge and after heating on the cooker. We tested what happened if we put liquids in a flask.

The first PEEP topic chosen by the families this term explored

“Helping Children to Understand and Manage Their Feelings.”

We discussed the importance of  helping children recognise and understand emotions (emotional literacy) so that they can begin to manage their own feelings and behaviour (self regulation). The families enjoyed working together to making puppets which expressed different emotions.

Activities to share at home.