We are all settling back into nursery and getting used to a new routine again. The children are doing so well, we are very proud of them all.

The children have been very busy playing and meeting new friends. Our returning children have helped and been a great support to our new children settling in.  Super stars that they all are.

Here are some of the photographs of our returning children exploring their nursery, there have been big changes made during this time and they have been amazing at adapting to these and enjoying their time being back.

 

As you can see we have been outdoors in all weathers. Can you please bare this in mind when dressing your child for nursery and ensure they are dressed appropriately for our lovely Scottish weather. Spare clothing should be replaced if used and jackets, sun cream and sunhats are required.

Thank you.

Please find attached some helpful information on our entry and exit to both playrooms. Thank you all for your patience and understanding with this system we are all learning together.

Ladybird room pick up

butterfly room pick up

Can we also please remind parents not to drop children off before their allocated start times. This is to support families in maintaining a 2 metre distance and also to ensure our staff/child ratios are maintained.

Can we please take this opportunity to say we are so pleased to have our children and families back with us, it has been lovely watching them play and be with their friends and ladies.

 

 

 

At this time, many of us are missing seeing family members and I bet they are missing us too. It is sad but why not take the time to learn more about these important family members. Lets make our very own family trees, these will all be very individual to each child/family and can be made in many different ways.

Some of the staff might join in too.

Here are some examples that I have found just by searching family trees made by children…

This Is something that you can take your time with and work on over a few days/weeks.

Think about;

• Name each family member who you would like to have in your family tree… Remember this is just for fun.
• Who they are to you for example gran, uncle, cousin
• Their age if you know it (if not why not give them a phone and ask them some of these questions?)
• What is your favourite thing to do with that person
• What is your favourite thing about this person for example they make you laugh, their hair, they bring you to nursery, they sing songs with me.
• You can add photographs or drawings of these and add them too.

Any other ideas?

Big ones who might be helping…

As you can see from the images there are many different ways to create these, please do not challenge yourself too much use the materials you have at home and give your children as much independence as possible. This can be a good time to help build your child’s confidence, literacy skills and numeracy skills.

• Write out names for them to copy.
• drawing pictures of family members, 2 eyes, a mouth, hair colour
• count how many family members to include, possible using a different leaf for each.
• collect sticks and leaves from outdoors.

Have fun. We are excited and cannot wait to see your family trees.

We are missing you all.

 

Our children love the story of ‘The Tiger Who Came to Tea’ here is the link to the story for you to enjoy with your family …

He was a very hungry tiger 🙂 we thought you would enjoy having your own Tiger Tea Party, below are a few ideas of how you could do this.

Have fun. We are looking forward to hearing about all your tea parties.

We all love a tea party. 

Do you have a tiger toy?

If not why not make your own tiger or masks. Make some yummy snacks and enjoy some party games.

• Pick a date and send out your invitations.
• Plan your menu and select your “tea”
• Setting the Tea Table.
• Tea Party Games.

Children help your adults prepare the snacks, make a list of what you want to have at your tea part, set the table and have fun. 

 

During lock down we have all had some extra time to study and research, we feel that this quote best describes children being creative and how natural it can become to them.

“There is no sense in teaching children what we think they ought to know. There is a sense in helping children to learn (teaching) what they naturally find interesting.”    (Bruce, 2012:158)

Let’s get creative and recycle using things that you may have around the home.

Children have a good knowledge of the importance of recycling, lets build on this and encourage them to use their imaginations to build and create.

Here is an idea of something you could make…

We will all have some cardboard in our houses at the minute, but if you do not you can use paper and experiment and see what will work.

Lets make some cardboard tube snakes…

Here is what you will need to make these cardboard snakes.

• cardboard tubes cut in half as many as you would like to make remember this will give opportunities of numeracy and estimations of length.
• paint or coloured pens/crayons
• hole punch
• string, ribbon, wool
• scissors
• small piece of red material or paper
• glue
• cellotape

Watch this link to see how to put it all together.

Penguins are off-limits when it comes to pets, but this DIY recycled bottle activity allows your child to create the impossible. All you need are a few basic art supplies paired with cotton balls and a recycled bottle. You can use different sized bottles and discuss sizes and how much cotton wool would be needed for each and what size needs more.

Junk modelling and being creative is a huge part of children’s active learning. They use their imaginations, problem solving skills  while developing their design skills and creativity. They develop their self-confidence as they are enabled to explore materials and how to use them.

You can then give each Penguin a name and age, possibly make up a story about your new family Penguin.

Why not research where he/she would be from?

 

Then why not dance to the Penguin song with your very own penguin pet.

 

Please share your creations with us. We can’t wait to see them all.

We are all missing you so much and wanted to share a video message with you. We hope you like it!

Can you see your lady?

Hope you all have a wee dance along with the music.

Stay safe 😊

While studying I have came across this quote which I feel best describes children being creative and how natural it can become to them.

“There is no sense in teaching children what we think they ought to know. There is a sense in helping children to learn (teaching) what they naturally find interesting.”    (Bruce, 2012:158)

Let’s get creative and recycle junk that you have in your homes.

Children have a good knowledge of the importance of recycling so let’s make use of ideas we have in our houses. We will all have some cardboard in our houses at the minute, but if you do not you can use paper experiment and see what will work. 

 

Lets make some cardboard tube snakes…

Here is what you will need to make these cardboard snakes.

• cardboard tubes cut in half as many as you would like to make remember this will give opportunities of numeracy and estimations of length.
• paint or coloured pens/crayons
• hole punch
• string, ribbon, wool
• scissors
• small piece of red material or paper
• glue
• cellotape

Watch this link to see how to put it all together.

Penguins are off-limits when it comes to pets, but this DIY recycled bottle activity allows your child to create the impossible. All you need are a few basic art supplies paired with cotton balls and a recycled bottle. You can use different sized bottles and discuss sizes and how much cotton wool would be needed for each and what size needs more.

Junk modelling and being creative is a huge part of children’s active learning. They use their imaginations, problem solving skills  while developing their design skills and creativity. They develop their self-confidence as they are enabled to explore materials and how to use them.

You can then give each Penguin a name and age, possibly make up a story about your new family Penguin.

Why not research where he/she would be from?

 

Then why not dance to the Penguin song with your very own penguin pet.

 

Please share your creations with us. We can’t wait to see them all.

 

With all this lovely sunshine we are having,  please remember to stay safe in the sun and follow these rules. This is for both adults and children.

Have fun everyone and enjoy your time outdoors.

Why don’t you let us know what you are doing outside – Leave us a comment. We would love to hear from you all!

A post from Stephanie ………

This is something Stephanie has found helpful through this difficult time, helping to keep the days as normal as they can be during these past few weeks. You could use it as a family and complete some of the tasks together.

It would be great if you could take photos and let us know how you are getting on.

Missing you all look after yourself and each other, stay safe.

Click on the link below to access a copy to print or read.

https://www.actionforhappiness.org/media/865781/april_2020.jpg