We started the week by creating kites, using various craft resources to decorate our kites before then flying them in the garden. This led to us focusing on the weather and, on Wednesday when it rained, we used wax to create rain paintings! We drew our raindrops in wax, before then washing over it in watery paint. The children were mesmerised to observe how their raindrops (and other pictures) magically reappeared!
Continuing to focus on the rain, we decided to set up a rain-based science experiment! We filled a jar with water, added our 'raincloud' (shaving foam) and then used pipettes to add coloured water... the resulting effect looked like rain! However, with such keen investigators - our children decided to then mix the shaving foam and water with the resulting mixture resembling a swamp! But, swamps aren't blue - they're green! So, we decided to add different coloured water until we'd made a satisfying green sludge! The curiosity didn't stop there! The shaving foam was then used for sensory mark making; the children made various patterns, including many of them attempting to write letters from their name in the foam!
Mark making has been popular all week, with children eager to do large scale drawings! Taping rolls of paper to the floor, the children have worked together to create mega-masterpieces! This helps develop different muscles compared to drawing at a table, as well as learning to work collaboratively with peers.
We've continued to enjoy our focus story this week, 'We're Going on a Bear Hunt,' and at carpet-time on Thursday we decided to re-write the story! Using our story map, we came up with new obstacles the family faced on their hunt, as well as changing other key events. Our version had our family going on a, 'doggy hunt - what a thunderous day!' We went through, fog, snow, trees and a swamp, finally finding our doggy under a log! When children are familiar with a story, this empowers them to then be able to imagine new ideas and create their own stories - this is why it's so important to revisit favourite stories again and again.
Our focus story also featured in our craft area on Friday; we used various textured resources to create bear hunt inspired craft! This was a great opportunity for children to talk about the story, as well as explore and talk about textures.
Puzzles and games have been popular this week. A tile-matching orchard game has been popular which enables children to develop turn taking skills and teaches them the importance of following rules. Floor puzzles have also been a popular activity all week, with children completing a range of jigsaws as they've worked together to find and fit the pieces.
The indoor climbing frame was a fun activity on a wet afternoon. This was then turned into a sensory den, complete with a range of materials draped over the frame. This offered children a quiet child-only zone where they could sit and talk together in small groups.
Other popular activities this week have included; circle-time games such as 5 currant buns, honey pot, and what's the time Mr Wolf? Jolly Jo where we focused on positional language as we passed a ball 'over' and 'under' our heads and legs, moved 'in' and 'out' of cones, and carried things 'on top' of a tray. The large garden Duplo alongside 'tools'. Making an assault course in the garden.
Ideas to continue the learning at home:
Our children enjoyed exploring our raincloud science experiment - why not look at our website for other science-based ideas you could try at home? Use the link below, and let us know how it goes!
http://www.squirrelspreschool.com/uploads/1/8/4/4/18444885/science_experiments.pdf
Continuing to focus on the rain, we decided to set up a rain-based science experiment! We filled a jar with water, added our 'raincloud' (shaving foam) and then used pipettes to add coloured water... the resulting effect looked like rain! However, with such keen investigators - our children decided to then mix the shaving foam and water with the resulting mixture resembling a swamp! But, swamps aren't blue - they're green! So, we decided to add different coloured water until we'd made a satisfying green sludge! The curiosity didn't stop there! The shaving foam was then used for sensory mark making; the children made various patterns, including many of them attempting to write letters from their name in the foam!
Mark making has been popular all week, with children eager to do large scale drawings! Taping rolls of paper to the floor, the children have worked together to create mega-masterpieces! This helps develop different muscles compared to drawing at a table, as well as learning to work collaboratively with peers.
We've continued to enjoy our focus story this week, 'We're Going on a Bear Hunt,' and at carpet-time on Thursday we decided to re-write the story! Using our story map, we came up with new obstacles the family faced on their hunt, as well as changing other key events. Our version had our family going on a, 'doggy hunt - what a thunderous day!' We went through, fog, snow, trees and a swamp, finally finding our doggy under a log! When children are familiar with a story, this empowers them to then be able to imagine new ideas and create their own stories - this is why it's so important to revisit favourite stories again and again.
Our focus story also featured in our craft area on Friday; we used various textured resources to create bear hunt inspired craft! This was a great opportunity for children to talk about the story, as well as explore and talk about textures.
Puzzles and games have been popular this week. A tile-matching orchard game has been popular which enables children to develop turn taking skills and teaches them the importance of following rules. Floor puzzles have also been a popular activity all week, with children completing a range of jigsaws as they've worked together to find and fit the pieces.
The indoor climbing frame was a fun activity on a wet afternoon. This was then turned into a sensory den, complete with a range of materials draped over the frame. This offered children a quiet child-only zone where they could sit and talk together in small groups.
Other popular activities this week have included; circle-time games such as 5 currant buns, honey pot, and what's the time Mr Wolf? Jolly Jo where we focused on positional language as we passed a ball 'over' and 'under' our heads and legs, moved 'in' and 'out' of cones, and carried things 'on top' of a tray. The large garden Duplo alongside 'tools'. Making an assault course in the garden.
Ideas to continue the learning at home:
Our children enjoyed exploring our raincloud science experiment - why not look at our website for other science-based ideas you could try at home? Use the link below, and let us know how it goes!
http://www.squirrelspreschool.com/uploads/1/8/4/4/18444885/science_experiments.pdf
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