This week has been all about getting the children (and staff) moving more! There is a wealth of research that links regular exercise to mental and physical wellbeing in children. An initiative known as ‘The Daily Mile’ is being introduced in a number of schools and nurseries across the country. A mile is a little ambitious with pre-schoolers – so the emphasis is simply on encouraging children to move continuously for 15 minutes a day. To make this fun, we have been running, stomping like dinosaurs, swimming, flying, tip-toeing, hopping, skipping, ballet leaping, side-ways crab walking, roaring like lions, stampeding like elephants… and so much more, with the children choosing what each lap should be! We’ve been so impressed with the children’s enthusiasm and involvement with this; we shall definitely look to make this a regular thing.
As well as our daily exercise – we’ve also flown to the moon this week! The children showed an interest in aliens, so we’ve extended this and explored various space themed craft ideas, stories and songs this week. 5 Little men in a flying saucer seemed to be a favourite song this week; with number songs being a great way to support numeracy.
Snack might not seem that exciting – it’s simply something we do every day. However, on Monday the children were invited to make their own snack. They had to butter and cut their own bread, before then cutting their own fruit. As well as improving hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills, tasks like this help children to develop confidence in doing things for themselves and developing independence. One child even decided to combine fruit and bread and make a banana sandwich – very inventive!
Sammy is our resident giant African land snail. The children helped to feed him this week, which started a lovely conversation about what snails might eat. The children went in search of leaves for him and then gave him banana too. We discussed what he felt like, with his hard spiral shell and his squishy underneath. We then watched as he popped his eyes out to have a look! Many were inspired to draw pictures of him which we’ve used to decorate near his cage.
Other popular activities this week have included cutting activities, pouring and tipping rice, the mud kitchen, gymnastics in the garden, and the climbing frame – we look forward to seeing what ideas develop next week!
Ideas to continue this week’s fun at home: Being involved in making food is a great way to develop a variety of skills, so why not involve your child at home. They can spoon ingredients, pour from jugs, use whisks, measure ingredients etc.
As well as our daily exercise – we’ve also flown to the moon this week! The children showed an interest in aliens, so we’ve extended this and explored various space themed craft ideas, stories and songs this week. 5 Little men in a flying saucer seemed to be a favourite song this week; with number songs being a great way to support numeracy.
Snack might not seem that exciting – it’s simply something we do every day. However, on Monday the children were invited to make their own snack. They had to butter and cut their own bread, before then cutting their own fruit. As well as improving hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills, tasks like this help children to develop confidence in doing things for themselves and developing independence. One child even decided to combine fruit and bread and make a banana sandwich – very inventive!
Sammy is our resident giant African land snail. The children helped to feed him this week, which started a lovely conversation about what snails might eat. The children went in search of leaves for him and then gave him banana too. We discussed what he felt like, with his hard spiral shell and his squishy underneath. We then watched as he popped his eyes out to have a look! Many were inspired to draw pictures of him which we’ve used to decorate near his cage.
Other popular activities this week have included cutting activities, pouring and tipping rice, the mud kitchen, gymnastics in the garden, and the climbing frame – we look forward to seeing what ideas develop next week!
Ideas to continue this week’s fun at home: Being involved in making food is a great way to develop a variety of skills, so why not involve your child at home. They can spoon ingredients, pour from jugs, use whisks, measure ingredients etc.
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