Tag Archives: nature

Early Years 2022-23 Term 4 – Week 6

May 26, 2023 Mrs Malcolmson Leave a comment

(5 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

A couple of the bairns found discarded blackbird egg shells on their way to nursery. They brought them in to show us and we spoke about using gentle hands, what might have come out of the eggs and how you can tell the different between male and female blackbirds. We also watched a short time lapse about blackbirds to find out more.

Our transition activities this week included break times in the playground and a visit to the P1/2 classroom. Miss Hunter asked the bairns to draw a bear and the variety was incredible. The bairns got a chance to explore the classroom and try out different resources including the water tray, white board and wooden blocks.

The preschoolers had a taster P.E. session this week. Mrs Ritchie used a Mr Men game to learn all their names – the bairns had to listen for their name and then do a different pose or way of moving. One of the bairns described the scarf throwing and catching game as “We threw something colourful like paper but it was cloots.”

We took the opportunity to share the Pantosaurus video which explains that your body belongs only to you. We spoke about the correct names for body parts and who to talk to if you feel uncomfortable. There is more information available on the NSPCC website: Talk PANTS & Join Pantosaurus – The Underwear Rule | NSPCC

“Come and look ootside, it’s da sun!” We discussed what the sun does which led to questions about solar panels. We added a solar fountain to the outdoor water tray. The bairns covered the solar panels with their hands to stop the fountain. When they took their hands away the sun powered the motor to make the water shoot up into the air. We spoke about the differences between the fountain (water going up) and a shower (water coming down). The bairns noticed that the sun was powering the motor to make the water rise. Some of the bairns said that they have solar panels at home too.

We’ve been engaged in lots of activities outdoors, from obstacle courses to Up Helly Aa processions and games such as duck, duck goose and what’s the time Mr Wolf, even the Titanic made an appearance.

Early Years 2022-23 Term 4 – Week 4

May 12, 2023 Mrs Malcolmson Leave a comment

(4 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

Playtime transition is now known as Buddy Day! The bairns are increasing in confidence in the playground, exploring the equipment and inviting the older bairns into their play. Miss Hunter visited again, checking in with each of the bairns, exploring their current interests.

We started out our music session with a few rounds of Everybody Do This, where one person stands up at the front and everybody copies their actions in time with the music. Then we practiced our hand co-ordination using the benches and beaters. We started our top secret preparation for our graduation ceremony – all will be revealed soon! We started very slowly for Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes, increasing in tempo with each round. “Faster, faster!” We ended with some breathing exercises, using our arms to match our breath.

We were lucky to have a visit from 20 chicks. The bairns learned how to hold the chicks with one hand underneath and one hand on their wings to make them feel secure. We also spoke about how you have to use gentle hands. The bairns used descriptive words – hard feet and soft fluffy wings. The chicks ate crumbs from the bairns’ hands. After our discussion about gentle hands, one of the chicks fell asleep.

There are plenty of opportunities for the bairns to engage in technology in the setting. The bairns often use the iPad to capture the events of the day or take selfies. We added some resin insect blocks to the light table. This has generated discussion around size, shape, number of legs, wings, where they come from and whether they are alive. Early literacy encourages mark making in many forms and our LCD pads offer a new way to develop fine motor skills. We also use the iPad to look up information – do whale sharks have teeth, gymnastics routines and frozen treats for hens.

Early Years 2022-23 Term 4 – Week 2

April 28, 2023 Mrs Malcolmson Leave a comment

(3 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

During a hail storm, one of the bairns shouted “We will go n shelter til it’s finished” and everyone headed to the garden den. The bairns listened to the noise of the hail on the outdoor room roof and noticed that the hail was stuck in their hair. Once the hail had stopped, the bairns decided it was time to go back out and play. The bairns have also been sieving and raking the soil in the polycrub getting ready for more planting. They found a couple of slaters (woodlouse) to feed to the tadpoles.

We took the service bus to Lerwick to attend a concert at the Shetland Folk Festival. The bairns chatted with the other passengers and noticed the moving scenery outside. After a short walk from the Viking Bus Station to Mareel, we were ready to sing and dance. The first band started with a farm song incorporating animal noises and actions. Then it was the turn of a band from Canada who showed us their double bass and some very fast square dancing. On the bus back, we discussed staying safe while traveling, meeting different people and our favourite moments from the concert.

Childsmile visited this week to apply fluoride varnish. The bairns listened to what would happen – the glasses they would wear and the brush that would be used to apply the varnish. Everybody went through to the library which had been turned into a dentist’s surgery.

The water trays were transformed into a jelly bath this week. This unfamiliar texture provided a new sensory experience. “It’s so squishy!” There was lots of transporting and the bairns watched toy animals sink into the jelly and disappear.

We spent our winnings from Jumpstart January on ropes, jumbo noughts and crosses, climbing wall handles and a large foam rugby ball. The bairns have been making good use of them out in the garden. Our janitor installed the new climbing wall handles and added holes to the top for attaching ropes. The jumbo noughts and crosses has been used in lots of ways. The parachute play book gave us new ideas, especially with the space in the playpark.

Early Years 2022-23 Term 4 – Week 1

April 21, 2023 Mrs Malcolmson Leave a comment

(3 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

We were delighted to be back in our garden this week after the renovation works. The new path has brought opportunities for extending imaginative play, using different kinds of resources in new ways, trajectory play makes for some fast movement around the garden. We also enjoyed an outdoor visit from Bookbug. The bairns received their Jumpstart January prize equipment including large noughts and crosses, ropes, foam rugby ball, sensory timers and a parachute book and put them to use in all kinds of play. We discovered different ways to make bubbles using loose parts.

We started our planting in the polycrub for this year’s produce including garlic, spring onions, leeks, onions, beetroot, carrots, radishes, peerie neeps, and flowers . The bairns made the beds ready, sorted out the seeds, planted the vegetables and watered all the plants. There was even time for a quick selfie! The bairns noticed that the apple tree had lots of flowers and we are hoping for lots of apples this year. Our strawberries have also started flowering.

We had a couple of exciting wooly visitors to nursery this week. One of our families brought in their two caddy lambs. The bairns showed the lambs the outdoor room and noticed they were already good climbers. The bairns also fed the lambs using bottles of milk.

We have been given a raised bed at the Salvation Army Community Allotment. The bairns headed down to see the allotment and plant tatties.

The bairns noticed a police car in the car park. We went to investigate! They identified the numbers and letters on the car and spoke about what number you could call to reach the police. The bairns discussed different kinds of emergency services – police, ambulance, coastguard and fire & rescue service. The bairns also sat in the car and sounded the horn.