Well, what a scorcher it has been again this week! We’ve done everything we could to keep everyone cool, comfortable and happy while still making the most of all our learning opportunities.
We spent our mornings enjoying the cooler temperatures outside in the garden, where the children explored, played together and even practised some of our Sports Day activities. The children showed fantastic determination, perseverance and lots of encouragement towards one another. Unfortunately, with the extremely hot weather continuing, we had to make the difficult decision to cancel Sports Day. We know many of you, along with the children, were looking forward to it, but everyone’s safety and wellbeing had to come first. We would like to assure you that the children have really enjoyed all of the practise opportunities we had which we are sure will be showcased next year!
Our morning calendar routine continues to be one of the children’s favourite parts of the day. Every morning they eagerly check the weather, update our weather chart and change the date. We’ve been amazed at how confident they have become! The children have also been practising sounding out and blending weather words, and they are becoming brilliant at using ambitious vocabulary to describe what they can see outside. We’ve heard wonderful words like glum, mild, chilly, foggy and fresh being used in conversations, which is fantastic to hear.
The children are now experts at singing and signing our Days of the Week song and are becoming just as confident with the Months of the Year too! Here is a link if you would like to listen to it at home: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fe9bnYRzFvk&list=RDFe9bnYRzFvk&start_radio=1
These daily routines are doing so much more than helping the children remember songs. They are developing an early understanding of the passing of time, noticing that every day is different and beginning to understand that events happen in a sequence. These are important early history skills within Understanding the World, as children begin to make sense of the past, present and future by talking about what happened yesterday, what is happening today and what will happen tomorrow.
As part of our transition work, we’ve continued reflecting on just how much the children have grown since starting nursery. Looking back at photographs and talking together about what they could do when they first joined compared with what they can do now has led to some lovely conversations. The children were so proud to recognise how much more independent and confident they have become. These discussions help children to develop an awareness of change over time and begin to understand that they have their own personal history. This is another important aspect of Understanding the World, as children learn to recognise how people, including themselves, grow and change.
We also enjoyed thinking about the future. The children loved sharing what they would like to be when they grow up, and we heard lots of exciting ideas including teachers, firefighters, vets, doctors and footballers! It has been lovely to celebrate how far they have come while also looking ahead to the exciting adventures that await them in Reception.
Finally, after weeks of hard work, creativity and perseverance, we have finished our special art project! We are so proud of what the children have achieved and cannot wait to share their wonderful creations with you at the open afternoon!
How you can help at home:
Each day, chat about yesterday, today and tomorrow, change the date on a calendar together and sing the Days of the Week and Months of the Year songs. This helps your child develop an understanding of the passing of time and daily routines.
Look back at photographs together and talk about things they could do when they were younger compared with what they can do now. This supports their understanding of change over time and helps them develop a sense of their own personal history.
Encourage your child to observe the weather each day and describe it using interesting vocabulary such as foggy, mild, fresh, windy or glum. Have fun sounding out and blending some of the weather words together to reinforce their phonics learning.
We hope you have a lovely relaxed weekend and you manage to stay cool 😎
Lots of love,
The Nursery Team xx