We began the week with a mystery. Shortly after the children arrived the curtains were closed and we heard noises from outside such as banging and tapping. Through the chinks in the curtain we caught an occasional glimpse of green and red and heard the gentle tinkling sound of a bell.
At about eleven-o-clock the curtains were opened to reveal a wonderful surprise. The Christmas elves had been busy working in the garden and had transformed the little playhouse into a wonderful grotto. There was snow on the roof, elves guarding the door, a Christmas tree and lots of sparkle. Inside the house there was a little fireplace with stockings hanging up and large chair for Santa to sit on. Beside the grotto the bench had been turned into a sleigh with chairs placed in front. Reindeer hats were positioned ready to take the children on a magical ride.
We had such fun taking it in turns to be Father and Mother Christmas or elves making toys and reindeers pulling the sleigh through the sky.
It was a cold but bright day and the children did not want to leave their magical grotto so for snack we had hot chocolate in the garden and sang songs to keep us warm.
The children have continued to play in the grotto all week and it has provided many opportunities to develop skills such as counting (taking money to see Father Christmas), writing (making tickets), taking turns, communication skills and supporting their developing imaginations.
In the garden we have played many other games this week such as Duck, Duck, Goose and Hide and Seek and a variety of circle games.
The children produced their own talent show at the beginning of the week and we saw some interesting talents such as standing on one leg, singing, dancing, funny faces and jumping with a puppet on the hand. This developed into a puppet show and for the rest of the week we have had the puppet theatre out so that the children could make up their own shows.
We continue to practise our nativity and on Thursday many of the children were able to go over to Highwoods Primary school to see a dress rehearsal of their nativity. It was lovely to see some of the children from last year looking so grown up. We were very proud of our Squirrels' children who were impeccably behaved and thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
We played a lovely game this week called “What's in the Box?” A small box is filled with objects (in this case Christmas ones) and the children have to guess from the clues what might be pulled out. This is a very simple but easy idea to do at home using anything from colours and shapes, to kitchen objects to small toys.
The train track is as popular as ever and we had trains driving all around the room, under tables and through tunnels made of cardboard tubes.
We ended the week making some gingerbread. The children enjoy cooking and gain so much from this activity. On this occasion we can say no more about it because it will be a part of all the surprises that will come home next week in your childs' Christmas folder.
And so we are coming to our last week of a very busy term. We look forward to seeing you at the Nativity, Fayre, Christingle and Party.
Words we have learned this week:
Bauble
Fir Cone
Ideas to continue this week's fun at home:
Why not make your own “What’s in the Box?”
Have some Hot chocolate or soup or any other warm drink/food in the garden or park. It somehow always tastes so much better outside!
At about eleven-o-clock the curtains were opened to reveal a wonderful surprise. The Christmas elves had been busy working in the garden and had transformed the little playhouse into a wonderful grotto. There was snow on the roof, elves guarding the door, a Christmas tree and lots of sparkle. Inside the house there was a little fireplace with stockings hanging up and large chair for Santa to sit on. Beside the grotto the bench had been turned into a sleigh with chairs placed in front. Reindeer hats were positioned ready to take the children on a magical ride.
We had such fun taking it in turns to be Father and Mother Christmas or elves making toys and reindeers pulling the sleigh through the sky.
It was a cold but bright day and the children did not want to leave their magical grotto so for snack we had hot chocolate in the garden and sang songs to keep us warm.
The children have continued to play in the grotto all week and it has provided many opportunities to develop skills such as counting (taking money to see Father Christmas), writing (making tickets), taking turns, communication skills and supporting their developing imaginations.
In the garden we have played many other games this week such as Duck, Duck, Goose and Hide and Seek and a variety of circle games.
The children produced their own talent show at the beginning of the week and we saw some interesting talents such as standing on one leg, singing, dancing, funny faces and jumping with a puppet on the hand. This developed into a puppet show and for the rest of the week we have had the puppet theatre out so that the children could make up their own shows.
We continue to practise our nativity and on Thursday many of the children were able to go over to Highwoods Primary school to see a dress rehearsal of their nativity. It was lovely to see some of the children from last year looking so grown up. We were very proud of our Squirrels' children who were impeccably behaved and thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
We played a lovely game this week called “What's in the Box?” A small box is filled with objects (in this case Christmas ones) and the children have to guess from the clues what might be pulled out. This is a very simple but easy idea to do at home using anything from colours and shapes, to kitchen objects to small toys.
The train track is as popular as ever and we had trains driving all around the room, under tables and through tunnels made of cardboard tubes.
We ended the week making some gingerbread. The children enjoy cooking and gain so much from this activity. On this occasion we can say no more about it because it will be a part of all the surprises that will come home next week in your childs' Christmas folder.
And so we are coming to our last week of a very busy term. We look forward to seeing you at the Nativity, Fayre, Christingle and Party.
Words we have learned this week:
Bauble
Fir Cone
Ideas to continue this week's fun at home:
Why not make your own “What’s in the Box?”
Have some Hot chocolate or soup or any other warm drink/food in the garden or park. It somehow always tastes so much better outside!
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