It’s been great to receive so many updates and photos again this week and to see and hear what teh children have been learning about and enjoying. Thank you.

Outdoor learning has continued to be, quite rightly, popular again this week.

James found an icicle when out walking, it was quite spiky and very cold! At home he used different tools to try to break some ice that had toys inside. Playing with ice and snow teaches us about material science concepts.

Stanley has spent a lot of time outdoors these weeks too. He understands that he needs to wrap up warm in his snowsuit and boots and he loves his new furry trapper hat from his brother. Good choice of clothes Stanley! It’s certainly been weather for trapper hats! He’s rolled big snowballs and found sheep prints in the snow.

Bobby worked in partnership with his brother to build a snowmouse outside. They spoke about the features of a mouse and included the ears and pointy nose.

And Thea made an igloo which used lots of snow to build!

On Thursday Lottie experiences playing in the snow and the sand as there was a huge ebb at the beach. It’s great to use nature to learn about different textures and weather. She loved walking on the sand and throwing stones in the water. The stones were wet and sandy which meant one of her mittens got dirty. On the way home she said she was like one of the kittens that soiled their mittens from her favourite nursery rhyme – “Three little kittens”.

Stanley also practised his throwing and catching skills this week with his auntie. He was great at watching the ball and timing his throw and catch.

Harry did some great mark making outdoors using calk. He completed the circles to make a colourful family portrait. It’s great to draw outdoors on big flat surfaces as it helps develop shoulder stability and arm control needed for later writing activities.

Painting and baking have been popular indoor learning activities this week.

James helped to bake a cake. He used the hand whisk to mix all the ingredients together and made sure there were no lumps.

And Stanley helped bake a chocolate cake which he chose to decorate with animals.

Thea made very gooey gloop and explored how it felt to move different objects in it and how it felt on her fingers. Great activities for developing future writing skills.

Bobby used baking time to practice his counting and grouping skills. He tried hard to count currants, take ones away and add ones on to make the groups the same. He also used cocktail sticks in playdough to learn number quantities.

It’s always good to find time to relax. Bobby and his brother did some breathing activities and meditation.

James and Ross painted pictures and Joanna and Sophie relaxed with threading activities.

And there has been lots of reading and listening to stories and nursery rhymes this week. Favourite books include “Don’t stick your finger in the jelly Nelly”, Little House by the Sea”, “The storm whale” and big nursery rhyme books. Favourite rhymes this week have included “Sing a song of sixpence”, “1,2,3,4,5” as well as Cbeebies and Mother Goose Club.