Please see information regarding a workshop Nest are running on Tuesday 25th March at Clark Memorial Church: Introduction To Neurodiversity | nest.scot.
Rag Bag Collection March 2025
British Science Week
This week the children have been learning about ‘Change and Adapt’ through difference experiences to celebrate ‘British Science Week’.
In the creative area the children were involved in junk modelling. We looked at some pictures of animals and different environments, thinking about how creatures are suited to where they live. The children chose junk modelling and collage materials to create their own animals. Including different body parts like legs, tails, mouths and eyes.
The children used cookie cutters dipped in paint to print animal pictures. As we made our pictures we discussed how the different animals are suited to the environments they live in.
We accessed the internet and discovered many of the birds are busy at this time of year adapting their environment to support incubating eggs and raising their young by building cosy nests. Following on from this, the children had a go at creating their own nests outdoors.
Outdoors we have been exploring the change in weather and the seasons throughout the year and the impact this can have. We explored different leaves, flowers, pinecones and petals, we used these to discuss and identify which season we think we are in and also identified which season each of these items would be from. We used these loose parts to make some transient art pictures, allowing us to make and remake different pictures.
The children took part in a volcano experiment. Beforehand we discussed what a volcano is and what might happen and how this will change the environment after it erupts.
The children took part in underwater yoga, copying the poses from ‘Cosmic Yoga’ on YouTube. The children were learning how aquatic animals adapt and change in their environment for e.g. octopus and fish use camouflage changing colour to help them blend in with their surroundings.
3-5 Planning Update
Over the last 4 weeks our planning within the room has focused on the following outcomes:
Health & Wellbeing – I am developing my understanding of the human body and can use this knowledge to maintain and improve my wellbeing and health.
Literacy and English – I explore and play with the patterns and sounds of language and can use what I learn.
Numeracy and Mathematics – I have explored numbers and I can use them to create sequences and describe order.
Here are some experiences the children have been joining in to support their learning:
Potato Planting
This week Donald (Abigail’s dad) visited the nursery to help her group prepare to grow their own potatoes. Donald spoke about how planting 1 potato (tubers) can grow up to 4 potatoes and can go towards a meal for your family. Children had their own individual bag to add soil and 3 potatoes each to grow all provided by Donald. We were learning that we need to face the potatoes with the ‘eyes’ (sprouts) facing up so that they will grow properly. Donald also worked with some of the children to plant potatoes in our nursery garden bed. The children enjoyed using the trowels to cover the potatoes they had planted with lots of soil.
Let’s hope we have a successful batch!
Amazing Me, Amazing You
We would love to share with you a lovely story ‘Amazing Me, Amazing You’ by Christine McGuinness. This book was included in a recent PATHS lesson that our inclusive ambassador Monty brought for us to enjoy. 🌈
Promoting inclusivity in our centre creates an environment that celebrates diversity and means that every child that walks through our door feels welcome, safe, and valued. This supports our UNCRC focus of the month : Article 2 – “All children have these rights no matter what their differences are.” This means that every child is valued as an individual and encouraged to flourish. In the words of the wonderful author of our story Christine McGuinness; “Accepting that everyone is different is something to celebrate.”
By sharing inclusive lessons with our families we are ensuring that all children get to learn and play together, make friends, and feel like they belong. This promotes an understanding of every person within the world and introduces the children to building empathy and respect for every one around them. It also makes sure that every child gets the support they need to grow, learn, and be happy. By including everyone, we are instilling the early values to creating a kind and fair world where all children have the chance to shine! ✨
For more information on PATHS, please click this link:
https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/glowblogs/largsearlyyears/learning-initiatives/paths/
Caitlin & Julie
UNCRC FEBRUARY 2025 – Mental Health Awareness
Throughout the month of February we had a focus on ‘Mental Health Awareness’ linking with the UNCRC Article 24 – ‘I have the right to be as healthy as possible’.
Some activities we did throughout February were:
- Abigail’s group had a ‘Show and Tell’ focusing on their strengths and achievements for e.g. ballet, singing, looking after pets.
- Making Valentine’s Day cards and Thank You cards for someone we love or for a kind friend.
- Keygroups listened to the story ‘Have You Filled a Bucket Today?’ And spoke in their group about what would fill their bucket or empty it.
- Yoga sessions at the woods.
- Using breathing buddies at the library and quiet rooms.
- Spending time outdoors dancing and singing.
Som helpful links below:
– https://youtu.be/pOJy8-OC0iU?si=yqcxSwomZTvnOl-U (Have You Filled a Bucket Today?)
Childsmile
This morning, Lisa from Childsmile came in to visit and we showed her how good we all were at brushing our teeth at nursery ⭐️ Lisa brought along her friend – Elliot the dragon 🐉 who also showed us how he brushes his teeth…they are lovely and shiny ✨
Well-being Workshop Feb 2025
Today Julie ran our well-being workshop with our families. She discussed some of the strategies and resources we use with the children to help support them to understand their feelings. Families were given a brief introduction to the PATHS program and how the program benefits the children. At the end of the workshop, the children joined their grown ups for a yoga session.
To learn more about the PATHS programme, see below:
Story of the Month Vote
The children voted for our new story of the month in the 3-5 room. The winner is ‘The Rainbow Fish’.