This week in nursery we are having at a look at our hands.  Educational research has shown that it is very important to develop both gross motor skills and fine motor skills in order to write.  Boys particularly, need real emphasis on the gross motor skills, allowing the muscles in the upper body, arms and shoulders to strengthen, in order to be able to grip a pen or pencil, without it feeling a chore.  Islington Council in London published a document about writing in the Early years which we read with interest.  http://www.islington.gov.uk/publicrecords/library/Education-and-skills/Information/Guidance/2012-2013/(2012-11-20)-Handwriting-guidance-final.pdf.

We are going to be doing lots of fun things which exercise the muscles in the arms, hands and fingers this week.  We are going to be doing some finger dancing at home base time and playing “Here’s the church, here’s the steeple, turn it round and there’s the people.”  Baking, with lots of rubbing together of ingredients is also planned and we will be strengthening our pincer grips using tweezers for sorting activities, and tongs to serve our snack.

Our malleable table will have opportunities to manipulate a variety  different textured materials : playdough, clay, plasticine etc.

Julie and Angela found some great Water Guns on their shopping expedition to the village last week and the children {and the staff} are really looking forward to using them on some number targets in the garden and playground this week.

Pam is continuing her Senses experiments and wall display with the children this week and Lauren is helping the children create an exciting Reading Jungle, learning about animals on the way!  Susan Tighe is going to do The Jungle, a special music session on Friday to bring another dimension to our learning.

It is looking like another exciting week in Milngavie Nursery!