The Nurturing Nature Family Forest School Sessions commenced this week with 100% attendance from all families that participated. There were opportunities for pond dipping and fishing and it was lovely to observe some lovely interactions between parent/carer and child with some very interesting pond life creatures being caught, especially surprising as the pond was initially frozen over with ice and snow. We had the opportunity to explore the forest and found a secret entrance into the woods where a secret cafe was discovered that offered hot drinks and biscuits to heat us up before working together to gather various different sizes of sticks to build a fire. On return to nursery it was lovely to hear such nice feedback from both adults and children of the enjoyment they had within these sessions. Next week on offer will be storytelling , Gruffalo hunting and pizza making , looking forward to it .
Nicola, Pamela and Elaine x
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Fun learning in the Rainbow Room
Children have been involved in lots of fun learning experiences. They have had opportunities to measure, count and explore pattern and shape.
Our Book Bug Family sessions are well on the way both morning and afternoon, the children have begun to recite This Little Piggy went To Market which is our current rhyme.
Nurturing Nature Forest School sessions
All children have fully embraced the wonders that Forest School has to offer as we make our weekly trips within Shotts Nature Park. The children continue to develop their curiosity and imagination within a learning environment that offers challenge and excitement. There have been opportunities to participate in pond dipping and fishing where plenty of tadpoles, fish and water snails were caught, no sharks or mermaids were found tho !!! All children have enjoyed exploring the paths, trails and hidden depths of the forest , sharing their favourite story whilst relaxing in a hammock was a definite favourite of mine. The children have also demonstrated their awareness of safety whilst making a campfire and enjoyed celebrating Maths Week Scotland when collecting various different sizes of sticks, counting out how many and carrying out simple calculations as to how many marshmallows they had eaten . The children have enjoyed observed the changes in the seasons and the different colours , sizes and shapes of the falling leaves and look forward to next weeks session where we are planning on using the spotter sheets to identify what trees they have fallen from .
The Rainbow Room
The new children have all settled well within the Rainbow Room and are beginning to build positive relationships with their peers. They have been having lots of fun both indoors and outdoors learning how to wait their turn as they explore the changes in weather. Lots of water play, splashing in puddles, jumping in the snow, and listening to the many sounds within the natural environment.
Early Level learning
Within the 3-5 playroom, the children have been learning how to help one another, be kind and share. With the new addition of Shotts Café within the playroom, the children have been working together to prepare some wonderful food, including healthy pizzas and milkshakes, which they have very kindly shared with their friends, before working as a team to tidy up and clean the tables. As the sand is now on the floor , the children have had opportunities to share this space and the resources and work cooperatively. With the introduction of traditional table top games, the children are learning to wait for their turn and persevere. Through the use of the Seeds of Empathy books during Nurturing Early Readers the children are beginning to use emotional literacy within these play situations.
