Squirrels Preschool, Highwoods, Colchester
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Week Commencing 7th October 2019

13/10/2019

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On the 9th October 2019 we were visited by firefighters from the local fire station. They showed us their uniform and talked about how this can help them do their job! We were shown special equipment that they use; including a torch, breathing equipment, walkie-talkie and thermal imaging camera.  Next, we had an opportunity to look at their fire  engine and to spray water from the hose!  This visit helped to inspire various craft and role play opportunities throughout the week.

On Tuesday, we filled our tuff tray with porridge oats, dry powder paint, scoops and funnels; inviting the children to explore this in their own way.  Some children enjoyed scooping the oats and pouring them through funnels.  Others added cars and diggers, watching the marks that the wheels made. Some were interested in the different colours and explored how these could be changed. Water was then added, making new textures, colours and learning opportunities - showing how play can evolve throughout the session.

Following the children’s interest in oats, we decided to explore rice and pasta too – offering shells for scooping and tweezers to encourage fine motor skills.  The children enjoyed exploring the different textures, before then adding large vehicles which they filled with the rice and pasta before then transporting it away! Transporting is a strong schema that many of our children have, so is something we will explore further next week!                                                                 
With the wet weather on Friday, we decided to introduce children to our indoor climbing frame.  There was lots of interest in this new resource; with children taking turns to climb the steps, step between different height platforms, and then exit via the slide.  We used coloured mats to help children wait their turn, using a green ‘go’ and a red ‘stop’ mat.  We observed some lovely examples of turn taking.       
       
Other popular activities this week have included the farm, which linked in with a listening game the children played - children heard animal sounds on the I-pod and then pretending to be that animal. We also played a carpet-time game where children had to pretend to be an animal which their friends then had to guess! 

Ideas to continue the learning at home:

Sensory play is a wonderful way to explore; it can encourage children to explore textures and colours and helps to build motor skills.  What could you find to explore at home? A bowl of dried pasta or rice? Maybe the silky soft texture of flour? Crunchy cereals?  There are plenty of everyday items that could be explored!

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