Through consultation with the children they have eagerly investigated and explored the new learning environments and resources which has sparked a buzz of interest in and around the playroom with lots of discussions regarding where and how they would like to learn.
Children within the construction area have been motivated in taking on the role of builders, planners ,site managers and gaffers!! Ensuring the health and safety of all workers and visitors to the site by providing hard hats, high visibility vests and marking off the area with tape and cones. Children have had opportunities to develop and challenge their early literacy skills in the creation of signs, posters and creating their own plans and daily lists of jobs that they require to complete in order to get “ their wages”. Some of the jobs completed this week have been, renewal of walls, laying flooring, construction of both a police station and airport and building a den . Lots of discussions have taken place to support the children’s awareness of number , measure and size as they problem solve whilst creating and bringing their plans and thoughts to life.
The introduction of a variety of role play costumes and accessories have allowed the children to develop their imagination and creativity within their play as they take on roles of police officers, doctors, animals , superhero’s and princesses . This learning has been supported with the children having a princess tea party at snack with sandwiches, tea and biscuits being offered.
With the every changing weather in Shotts the children have continued accessing the outdoor environment , taking full advantage of the snow and wind to make snowmen and create their own kites. Creating a spiders web assault course supported the children’s movement and coordination skills as they problem solved how to manoeuvre their bodies up, over and through the web.
Practitioners have been taking the lead from the children and supporting them in expressing their ideas and thoughts of how and where they are going to learn with children supported in their own choices with many sensory experiences being offered daily from shaving foam , finger paining ,scented and coloured play dough and potions being created within the water tray. These opportunities encourage the children to develop their control and coordination of their fine movements of their fingers and hands whilst developing the use of their senses.
Within the ABC Music Matters programme all children have had opportunities to develop their listening skills by following instructions and becoming aware of how to maintain a steady beat through the use of musical instruments and following the sounds , beat and rhythm of music.
We hope you too have noticed the wonderful learning which is taking place.
