PATHS

September 29, 2016 Ailie Rankin Leave a comment

Promoting Alternative THinking Strategies

The boys and girls in the Rainbow Room have started a new programme aimed at helping them learn how to be good friends and cope with lots of different feelings. The programme is called P.A.TH.S. (yup the capital TH in the title was deliberate!)

We use puppets as children find them safe to talk to and interact with.

During the sessions children will be introduced to key characters through which they can safely explore situations and reactions with stories and role play puppets.

Twiggle hides in his shell when he is scared.

Jack read Space Walkies to Duke the dog!

We learn about our golden rules at Paths group time.

The main character Twiggle is a turtle although sometimes we get mixed up and all him a tortoise because that is more familiar to us and makes more sense that he walks about on land.

Arlene let us meet her tortoise Indy. — Arlene let us meet her tortoise Indy and we talked about how he hides in his shell when he doesn’t feel safe and happy. He ‘does the turtle’!

Regardless of whether he is a turtle or a tortoise he has a shell and that is key to the programme as he can retreat from difficult situations into his shell. This symbolises taking a pause to think before acting out. It is a mindfulness technique that engages the prefrontal cortex of the brain, the bit that talks us down. You can find out more about the prefrontal cortex and the brain and emotions if you are interested.

Helping children to identify and name different emotions makes it much easier for them to talk about them. When you are upset, the emotional part of the brain is in control. Talking uses a different part of the brain altogether so talking about feelings calms you down! Just thinking about the name of the emotion will ease the strength of emotion! So for us to be able to deal with difficult emotions, we need to be able to name them. That’s what our PATHS programme does.

We will also be introducing the concept of compliments and exploring the power of acceptance and responsibility. We will do this through our PATHS Kid of the Day. Every child will have the opportunity to be the Paths Kid, and receive compliments from every member of staff that day. They will be the special helper for the day and get to wear a cape and put on the tidy up music. We will have a sign up on the door to share who is that day’s special child. Please join in with the strategy by paying them a compliment if you see them and watch their self esteem blossom!

So watch out for your child talking about Twiggle or the Paths Kid, and even getting to wear the Paths Kid Cape!

Whole Family Centre

Messy child – learning child!

September 29, 2016 Ailie Rankin Leave a comment

Messy child Learning child!

There are times when you pick up your child and think “Look at the state of you!” You might even despair at the stains on the new clothes that are on for the first time.

But worry not!!

Messy children are active learners!!

I am just learning to control my body so I may spill or smear glue or paint but it shows I am being creative!

I am learning to feed myself tricky runny stuff like cereal and milk – I may spill it down my clothes but I am learning to hold my spoon better each time I do!

I may have gotten more butter on myself than on my toast but I am learning about hand eye coordination and pressure – both things I need to do before I can start to learn to write!

I may get covered in sand and bring home half a beach but I am learning to investigate, about textures and cause and affect in the sand.

I might get soaked even with an apron but I am learning why hygeine is important, social skills and caring for others ads well as lots about waves, bubbles and splashes.

I might fall and get covered in mud but I am learning to keep trying hard things, developing my muscles and getting more confident.

I might get a rather dirty bottom sitting on the ground outside but I can take the time to investigate shaddows, explore different textures and temperatures of different grounds and might even discover some mark making while I’m down here.

ILetting me spread jam can be bery sticky and messy but I am learning about cohesion (stickiness) as well as developing all my movement skills to scoop and spread the jam.

I get into quite a mess when I explore things but I am using all of my senses to learn about different materials and substances – I am also learning which ones are safe to eat and which ones I cannot.

I am using all of my senses to explore materals – I am a real detective forming ideas and concepts about different things.

Getting my hands covered lets me explore textures and sensations as well as developing my wee hand muscles which will help me when I come to draw and write.

Stains are just a little record of some of the fabulous learning we have been doing!

I may take a tumble off a log or wall but risky play helps me to make sound judgements and decisions, I grow in confidence as I do this as well as developing those important balance skills that help my brain prepare to read and write!

Stretching over messy tables may get me dirty but I am developing my coordination, building my core strength and learning about distance and volume. Squeezing in beside my friends helps me learn about making friends, turn taking and social skills such as respecting personal space.

I may dribble while brushing my teeth but I need to do this as I learn to not only care for my teeth but also to control my mouth and tongue which will help me to speak more clearly.

Splashing in muddy puddles isn’t just fun – we can learn about suction, volume, pressure and waves – early physics!

The most interesting sea life doesn’t just come over to you – we have to go to it. Reaching across with the rod helps me develop my balance, strengthen my core muscles (which both will help me to write!) as well as getting the catch of the day!

Getting hands stuck into messy stuff allows me to experiment, learn about textures and sensations such as temperatures and liquidity. It’s early science!

We need to get right down amongst the sand and rocks in order to be able to properly investigate what lives there. We might get wet and sandy but we are mini marine biologists!

Pouring our own water/ drink and dribbling it all over the place is part of learning to control my movements and care for myself.

Stains that come from nursery can return to nursery!

That’s why we have nursery jumpers and shirts – so that you don’t need to worry about ruining the clothes a grannie just gave. And old trousers and shoes or wellies are the best for nursery too. You see we value mess, we know how much learning can take place in mess! (which is just as well as most of us go home covered too!)

So next time you see your child’s jumper like this:

…..then we know you’ll say, “Wow you have been busy learning today – what were you doing when you played outside?”

…. And remember that anything that doesn’t wash out can be worn as a badge of honour as a good learning experience!

Transitions, Whole Family Centre

Moving on up, Moving on out …..

September 29, 2016 Ailie Rankin Leave a comment

Got you singing it? 😉

Well the big move is fast approaching! On Friday 14th October the movers will shift us from the current building into St Joseph’s Primary. Children will start in the temporary accommodation in the school on the Tuesday after the October Break (25th Oct).

We are exited about this big move and am sure that you and your children will love the school facilities as much as us!

You can find out more about the decant at the parents information afternoon on Wed 5th Oct at 4:30, or just ask Gillian, Claire or Kerry!

The decant will allow the builders to start on the long awaited refurbishment to our current building. The plans are soon to be presented to the council to be approved and we are hoping for the building work to start some time next year.

Have you seen the plans?

They are currently on display in the hall above the coat pegs.

The offices, drop in and staff room will be upstairs. We will be getting a meeting room also!

All the playrooms will be on the ground floor. There will be a door straight to the outdoor area in each room!

What do you think? There is space for you to comment on these in the hall display, alternatively you could comment here or talk to a member of staff who will pass on your response. Don’t forget to have your say – it could make a difference to your child’s nursery experience!

Needless to say that there will be plenty of learning taking place throughout the whole process and our current service provision will not change (other than to continue to improve).

If you have any questions, concerns or just fancy a blether about the move then please do not hesitate to say!

Whole Family Centre

We’re back!

September 27, 2016 Ailie Rankin Leave a comment

Hello everyone!

We are finally back online after a summer break and concentrating on getting back into the swing of things. And boy do we have lots to share!

We have a few new faces in the nursery – Amy our new bus escort, Claire our new family support worker, Sofia who is covering Carol’s maternity leave (good luck Carol!!), Andrewina our new clerical assistant and Michelle and Leeanne who are here to help us pack because………..

We are Image result for clipart removal van on the move in the next couple of weeks!! – See next post for details.

We are also hoping to get a handle on this blog and get some regular updates on your child’s learning – you can subscribe to the blog to get emails for new posts, or watch our twitter account for news.

So…. watch this space for updates on your child’s learning!

p.s. welcome back!

Promoting Alternative THinking Strategies

Messy child Learning child!

Messy children are active learners!!

Stains that come from nursery can return to nursery!

Just another blogs.glowscotland.org.uk – Inverclyde site