Hello and welcome to the Cunningsburgh Early Years blog.  We will publish an update most Fridays and post the link to the Facebook page.  The blog is not able to be found by using a search engine.

Loose Parts Play (Weeks 1 & 2)

We have lots of loose parts throughout the nursery, from large blocks to household items and Duplo.  The bairns use these for a variety of games, play and learning.  This week, they have engaged in jumping from the large blocks, lining up items, creating structures and as part of their role play.

Outdoor Play (Weeks 1 & 2)

Our garden is always a popular place to play and learn.  The bairns have played What’s the Time Mr Wolf, counting their steps and running back to the start when it’s dinner time.  The bairns used some old cardboard boxes and made a slide.  There were lots of ways to get to the bottom and every one was tested.  The bairns used some old leaves from the polycrub in their mud kitchen play.

Expressive Arts (Weeks 1 & 2)

The bairns have explored many different ways to express their creativity this week.  There have been paint mixing, water painting, models being made at the workbench and powdered paint outside.  The message centre has also been popular with the bairns using this to draw pictures to take home and practice mark making.  The bairns have also used technology to express their creativity on the smartboard using the Paint app.

Routines (Weeks 1 & 2)

While the setting follows a child-led approach, there are some routines that happen each day.  For example, the bairns are supported to following good hand hygiene, make their own snack, clear away their dishes into the dishwasher and tidy up what they are using if they are finished.

Music (Weeks 1 & 2 Friday)

We were delighted to welcome Mrs Garrick back for music.  The bairns started with the Welcome Song.  “Dat was funny!”  The bairns moved around the hall, listening to the beat and changing their actions with the music.  They moved like butterflies, took big steps, skipped, tip-toed, marched and ran.  We gathered around the piano to learn the words of the Frankenstein Dance and then the bairns moved around the hall doing their best monster dance impressions.  The bairns also clapped and slapped their knees to the beat of the music, with some playing the triangle or a small drum.  During Week 2, the bairns each had an instrument, and Mrs Garrick conducted her orchestra, moving her hands to indicate quiet or loud notes.  Some of the bairns became the conductor too.  We finished off with Heads Shoulders Knees and Toes, before laying on the floor to listen for the Zen Bowl.

Play and Learning (Weeks 1 & 2)

Here is a selection of the play and learning from the last two weeks.  The bairns have engaged in pouring and transporting in the sand pit,  unloaded the Tesco shopping for snack, made playdough, listened to stories in the quiet room and explored the water trays.