Nursery – Page 3 – East Calder Primary School Blog

NURSERY – Fun and Learning at Home

Good Morning

Here are some suggested activities to give a try.

Kim’s Game – Kim’s Game is a memory game using everyday items.

Collect 6 or so items from around your house and lay them out. Discuss each item with your child(ren) to see what they can tell you about them e.g. colours, purpose, texture, what it’s made from e.g. we use a spoon to eat food with or stir things, it’s silver, you hold it in your hand, it feels smooth, it’s made of metal, etc.

Once you have discussed all the items, ask the child(ren) to have a good look and to try to remember what items there are.

Then the child(ren) cover their eyes while the adult removes one item. The child(ren) need to guess what item is missing. Whoever gets it right, is the next person to hide an item, etc. Natural items can also be used when playing this game outdoors. L.I I am developing my concentration skills and memory.

Online games – Click on the following link to play online games which will develop many different skills. L.I I am developing problem solving strategies, navigation and co-ordination skills, as I play and learn with electronic games, remote control or programmable toys. https://pbskids.org/games/

Life Cycle – Jenson has been doing the butterfly project. “We have been looking after baby caterpillars, watching them eat and grow bigger, forming their chrysalis then emerge as beautiful butterflies for us to release. We have been reading The Very Hungry Caterpillar book, painting caterpillars and butterflies with handprints and learning all about the life cycle.” L.I I have observed living things in the environment over time and am becoming aware of how they depend on each other.

I know some other children in the nursery are doing this as well, it would be great to keep us updated on your learning journal. If you are interested in this, you could always learn more about this by reading a book about the life cycle or watching a video on YouTube.

#GlobalDayofParents – Monday was National Parents’ Day to recognise and appreciate parents for all that you do. We know how hard you work, especially so at the moment. Be kind to yourself and take a moment to recognise all that you do for your family, no matter how big or small it may seem.

All the Ladies at East Calder Nursery would like to say a HUGE thank you to our parent/carers, for all your hard work through this challenging time. You are doing an amazing job, teaching your child life skills, supporting your child when they need reassurance, creating memories your child will remember forever and soo much more! All the Ladies have loved seeing your updates on your Learning Journals. We are thinking of and missing all our families at East Calder.

Sports day – We are having a virtual sports day on Wednesday the 10^th of June so next week the blog will only be updated with lots of sports day ideas from the Ladies. We will post these on Tuesday to allow you to get resources ready for Wednesday (don’t worry we have all had to improvise, please just use what you have got in your house). We would love you to join in the fun and share your sports day on your Learning Journal. L.I I am enjoying daily opportunities to participate in different kinds of energetic play, both outdoors and indoors. I am developing my fine and gross motor skills, coordination and balance.

Remember to have a look at http://blogs.glowscotland.org,uk/wl/snonursery for more learning at home ideas.

Take Care

EC Nursery Team

NURSERY – Fun Learning at Home

Hello Everyone,

We hope you had a good weekend and enjoyed reuniting safely outdoors with family and friends.

Here are some new idea’s to share with the your child at home. Please continue to let us know how they get on through their Learning Journal. Enjoy!

New Life

The nursery ladies have been out walking and cycling and they have seen lots of new baby animals at Mill Farm and Lanthorne Pond. They have taken these photo’s to share with you.

Encourage your child to watch out for new animal life when outdoors and share your photo’s through Home Learning on your child’s Learning Journal. This activity encourages lots of discussion about animals, babies, families and new life as well as exercising outdoors and learning about technology. Give your child a camera or device to take photos and help them to upload them onto their Learning Journal’s.

You can extend this further by helping your child to search online for the names of animals e.g. Cygnet, Calf, Foal.

Can you name all the animals you find?

Do you know what a female cow, horse or swan is called?

Can you count how many babies the animals have had?

L.1. I am learning about where living things come from and about how they grow, develop and are nurtured.

Literacy

Access these links to further extend your child’s learning with baby animals.

Baby Animals Song click here

Farm Animals and their Babies Book click here

Fun with Fruit

Involve your child in choosing fruit/vegetables to make a nutritious smoothie or milkshake or keep the animal theme going and make a fruit dolphin!

L.1. Together we enjoy handling, tasting, talking and learning about different foods, discovering ways in which eating and drinking may help us to grow and keep healthy.

Salt Dough Decorations

The children enjoy baking and cooking at nursery and independently follow step by step instructions through picture and photo books.

Try this easy pictorial recipe to make salt dough decorations with your child, allowing their creativity to flourish when decorating them.

L.1. Inspired by a range of stimuli, I can express and communicate my ideas, thoughts and feelings through activities within art and design

Remember to have a look at http://blogs.glowscotland.org,uk/wl/snonursery for more learning at home ideas.

We look forward to seeing your photos and learning on your child’s Learning Journal’s.

EC Nursery Team

NURSERY – Sharing Home Learning

We would like to thank our families who are posting photo’s and keeping in touch through Home Learning on Learning Journals. It’s lovely to hear what our children and families have been doing during lockdown. East Calder Nursery Team are missing each and every one of our fabulous children and seeing little snippets of their learning and fun at home keeps us smiling! It keeps us interacting and building our shared partnership and it’s an effective way of communicating and asking for advice if you need it. Our Team will continue to be here to share advice, support and fun learning to all our families. Our Fun Learning at Home ideas and suggestions are posted on our Nursery Blog every week on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

If you are having difficulty using Home Learning please follow the instructions below

How to keep in touch on Learning Journal’s

There is a ‘Home Learning’ button on your child’s Learning Journal. This means you can share all your fun and learning with the nursery staff while recording it on their personal profile.
This button is located on the left hand side of your child’s profile. It is a blue button called Home Learning, click on it and you will be able to add posts and pictures.

Transition Task – Week 3

Week 3 Transition Task – ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar’ by Eric Carle

This week we would like you to watch and listen to, or if you have the book at home read, ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar’ by Eric Carle. This book provides lots of learning opportunities to discuss healthy eating, life cycles, counting, colours and days of the week. There is lots to talk about with your child as you enjoy the story together. Please find the link to the story below:

https://uk.video.search.yahoo.com/yhs/search?fr=yhs-itm-001&hsimp=yhs-001&hspart=itm&p=cbeebies+the+very+hungry+caterpillar#id=2&vid=7ca26734349aaac20221365f426e829b&action=view

We hope you and your child enjoy this weeks story 🙂 Maybe you can spot some butterflies in your garden or when you are out walking or maybe you would like to draw or make one.

The days of the week are mentioned in the story of The Very Hungry Caterpillar. The link below leads to a Days of the Week song we sing in Primary 1. Your child might like to watch it, learn it or sing along 🙂

http://thesingingwalrus.com/videos-and-songs/general-topics/days-of-the-week-song/

Feel free to share any of your learning with us by emailing laura.donnelly@westlothian.org.uk if you would like or just enjoy the story together 🙂

NURSERY- Fun and Learning at Home

Good afternoon Everyone, we hope you are all well J

Here are some suggested activities to give a try.

Skimming stones – Have you been a walk near water? Have you tried skimming stones?, It can be tricky but very fun to see how far you can get your stone or how many jumps it does. Top tip: find the flattest stone you can. L.I I am developing my fine and gross motor skills.

Sensory Play – Jelly Baff is a great sensory activity. Can you describe what you think it feels like?, is it soft/hard, Wet/dry, cold/warm?, Do you like the feeling? L.I In everyday activity and play, I explore and make choices to develop my learning and interests. I am encouraged to use and share my experiences. I am increasing my vocabulary.

Football Buzz – Livingston FC have teamed up with Football Buzz and are offering a free, live football session on Monday the 1st June @ 4pm. For more information please click this link: https://livingstonfc.co.uk/lion-cubs-get-your-football-buzz-back-this-monday/ L.1. I am enjoying daily opportunities to participate in different kinds of energetic play, both outdoors and indoors.

Canal and River Trust – Canal and River Trust have a new resources bundle as part of their digital learning programme – designed to keep children engaged in learning and active whilst at home. The ‘Corridor for Nature’ bundle provides everything children need to research, design and build a canal-themed habitat. Please click the following link for more information: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/explorers/learning-from-home L.I I am learning new things about the world around me. I am learning how to problem solve.

Remember you can also have a look at http://blogs.glowscotland.org,uk/wl/snonursery for more ideas.

Take care

EC Nursery Team

NURSERY – Mental Health Awareness Week 2020

Hello Everyone,

Mental Health and Wellbeing

During this uncertain time with lots of changes and adjustments happening, it is important that you take steps to ensure you and your families mental health and wellbeing are a top priority. Emotions can be tricky for young children to express, often leading to frustration and tantrums. We have suggested stories and activities to support you with your child’s emotions and feelings, they will encourage your child to talk about how they are feeling and help them to release any worries they may have.

Lucy’s in Lockdown by Chris Duke – A short animated video on You Tube about children’s different emotions experienced during lockdown. To share the story with your child please click here

While We Can’t Hug by Eoin McLaughlin – A short virtual storybook on You Tube to share with your child when they are missing their loved ones and friends. Please click here

@EarlyYearsScot on Twitter suggested a few tips to help promote good mental health and wellbeing in children…

Give them their own space
Make sure they get enough sleep
Ask them about their day
Let them get creative
Encourage exercise
Help them to relax
EarlyYearsScot Twitter page

Emotion Stones

Getting outdoors, being active and accessing fresh air are all good ways to relieve stress. While out on a socially distanced walk you could collect some stones, rocks or pebbles to create emotion stones. Enjoy spending time creating your stones and keep them somewhere close by. On days where your young child seems to be going through many emotions ask them to show you how they feel if they are struggling to find the words. Another good way of children expressing how they feel is through drawing, painting or writing it down. A letter was written and shared on Home Learning by one of our nursery children, she had written in her own way that she ‘wanted lockdown to end as she really misses her friends’ this can positively lead your child to open up by telling you what they have written or drawn.

We hope you find this information both helpful and supportive. More suggestions for fun and learning at home can be found at http://blogs.glowscotland.org,uk/wl/snonursery

Take care everyone

EC Nursery Team

Transition Task – Week 2

Week 2 Transition Task – ‘It’s A Seashell Day’

This week we would like you to watch and listen to the story ‘It’s a Seashell Day’ by Diane Ochiltree with your child. The story and learning activities suggested are an ideal way to further develop your child’s number sense and the counting principles. This learning will be revisited when your child starts Primary 1. Please follow the link below to access the story ‘It’s a Seashell Day’. We hope you enjoy it 🐚

https://sway.office.com/P0bIz9oCq1wxW35Q?ref=Link

If you want to learn more about the counting principles please click the link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SG0jzpZtfgs

We hope you and your child enjoy this weeks story 🙂 Maybe you can continue to find ways to count objects in your house and/or garden or maybe you can spot numbers and collections of objects in your environment or out on your walks.

NURSERY – Fun and Learning at Home

Good afternoon Everyone

Here are some suggested activities to give a try.

Sock Puppets – Create your own sock puppet and make your own characters and stories up. What will your puppets look like?, what will their story be? We would love to see them on your Learning Journal. L.I I can use my imagination to create my own characters and stories.

Skittle Rainbow – Do you like skittles? You could give this experiment a try?, What pattern will you make? Follow Chloe’s instructions to try this “I put skittles all around the plate and then put water in the middle. I waited and watched until the rainbow grew. I ate the sweeties after, they were yummy!” L.I I can experiment with various items and can explain the changes that happen and why. I can create and follow on a simple pattern.

Music – In nursery we love to sing, if you would like to learn some new songs please click on this link.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLT03GmRKx8cvWbgX71Igz9HntNX-EC2eg

Remember you can also have a look at http://blogs.glowscotland.org,uk/wl/snonursery for more ideas.

Take care

EC Nursery Team

NURSERY – Fun and Learning at Home

Hello Everyone,

We hope you enjoyed a long weekend and had fun at home.

Whilst the Nursery has been closed our cleaners have been busy steam cleaning and helping to prepare a safe environment for the children to return to when the time is right. We are very grateful for all their hard work behind the scenes.

The Nursery Team are continuing to enjoy reading and replying to Home Learning posts in your child’s learning journals, thank you for taking the time to do this.

Bookbug

Bookbug is celebrating 10 years this week. Between 18-24 May there are special activities you can share with your children. Full details have been posted separately on our Blog and you can access Bookbugs here

L.1. I enjoy exploring events and characters in stories and other texts, sharing my thoughts in different ways.

Hot and Cold

Some of the nursery children have been exploring hot and cold at home and experimenting with hot and cold liquids, this is a great science activity to try. Step 1: Send your child on a hot and cold hunt around the house, looking for items that are hot or cold. Step 2: Use red and blue food colouring to colour water, blue to represent cold and red to represent hot. Make ice cubes from the blue water and place them in a bowl of hot red water. What happens to the blue ice cubes? Do they float or sink? Does the water change colour? Encourage your child to discuss the changes they see and why they think this is happening. L.1. By investigating how water can change from one form to another, I can relate my findings to everyday experiences.

Junk Modelling

Another great activity enjoyed by nursery children at home. This fantastic robot model was inspired by the story ‘One Button Benny’. Provide your child with different sized boxes and junk with sellotape/glue and pens/paint to create a character from a favourite book you enjoy reading together. L.1. I enjoy investigating objects and shapes and can sort, describe and be creative with them.

Please share photos of any Home Learning in your child’s Learning Journal and with your permission we can hopefully share on our Blog.

Some other suggested activities to try

Cress Heads

Use egg shells to grow cress and turn them into cress heads. Step 1: use an egg box to hold empty egg shells Step 2: Gently draw faces on the shells; be careful not to break them! Step 3: Place damp cotton wool into the shells and sprinkle a few cress seeds on top. Step 4: Watch the cress hair grow, remembering to add drops of water when required and place them in a sunny position. L.1.I have helped to grow plants and can name their basic parts. I can talk about how they grow and what I need to do to look after them.

Remember you can also have a look at http://blogs.glowscotland.org,uk/wl/snonursery for more ideas.

Be kind to yourself and take care.

EC Nursery Team

NURSERY – Bookbug

Bookbug Week is 10

We hope you’ve all had a chance to watch the very special message the First Minister recorded for us (earlier this year before Covid-19). We are celebrating 10 years of the programme on our website too so please have a look – highlights include an article from our own Head of Early Years, Catriona Wallace, reflecting on 10 years of Bookbug, a film of Debi Gliori talking about how she created Bookbug, as well as a catalogue of all the books that have been in the Bookbug Bags over the last decade – see how many of them you’ve read!

We’d just like to say a huge thank you to you all for everything you have done to make Bookbug the success it is, and for all the joy and support you have brought to families over the last 10 years.

Bookbug Week 18-24 May

We hope you will join us in celebrating Bookbug Week all next week online and on our social media. Here’s an overview of our main content again. Please do share this with your families and take part yourselves! We’d also love to hear about anything you are doing to celebrate in your own areas, so please tag or share with us on social media.

Monday 18 – Saturday 23 Join us for a very special drawalong with Bookbug’s creator Debi Gliori from Monday to Saturday and learn how to draw Bookbug and some very special friends. We will also have a very special film with Debi Gliori as she explains how she created Bookbug!
Monday 18 We’ll have a special celebratory Bookbug Session for families to try at home themselves featuring classic songs and rhymes that have become firm family favourites!
Wednesday 20 Sprog Rock’s exclusive new song for the Bookbug app to celebrate Bookbug’s Birthday launches! Please encourage families to download the app for free and get access to songs and rhymes to enjoy at home, and we’d love to know what you think of the new track!
Friday 22 – 10am Join our live Bookbug Session on Bookbug’s facebook page. We’d love to see you all there to join in with singing for Bookbug’s birthday.

All week long our home activities hub will be packed with even more themed ideas to try at home, from making a party hat to colouring in Bookbug.

· All week long we’ll also have a special competition on our website, and will be asking on social media for your memories of your Bookbug Bags and Bookbug Sessions with your wee ones. We’d also love to see any cards your little ones make for Bookbug – take a photo and share it with us!