May 2021

Communication and Language

Children in nursery enjoy playing musical games, where they listen to instructions and copy the adult. Children listen to different musical songs and clap along to the different elements of the song, they use different tempo, to clap faster and slower. Children are beginning to listen more attentively as they are able to follow two part instructions ie stamp your feet and clap your hands.

In nursery we are looking at different ways of how we can look after ourselves and keep healthy. Children have been labelling the different parts of the body and using the language they learn in everyday play ie when they are role-playing doctors and nurses, they ask each other what part of their body is hurting and they point to it and label it correctly. We have learnt new songs to help children learn the names of the different body parts, children have thoroughly enjoyed singing, ‘head, shoulders, knees and toes.’

Expressive arts and design

In nursery children have enjoyed dressing up as different people in the community such as paramedics, doctors, nurses and shop keepers. Role play is an important part of our children’s development. In nursery we build children’s confidence by allowing them to be creative when they communicate with one another. This is vital for children as this allows them to develop their problem-solving skills. As well as being a fun activity, it also allows children to get into character and act out real life roles or fictional performances. This encourages children to take risks and be creative with the roles they are playing. This is a fun way of learning about different professions and day to day situations.

Literacy

Children in nursery enjoy story time, listening to an adult read aloud their favourite books. Children also enjoy sitting with their friends and looking through books, children are beginning to understand that books carry meaning. Children are learning to turn pages one at a time, they enjoy reading and looking at pictures for pleasure. Children like to read where they feel comfortable whether it be in a cosy reading corner, on the carpet or as well as in the construction area whilst building models!

Children are beginning to read and write some CVC words independently.

Mark making in EYFS is about giving meaning to the marks that children make. In nursery children have enjoyed making marks using the stamping method, dipping stamps in different coloured paints and create patterns and pictures.

Mathematics

In nursery we plan activities that will allow children to gain a range of skills. Children in nursery have enjoyed looking at patterns and how to continue a repeated pattern. We have used various materials to give children different opportunities to understand what patterns are and how to spot them. Children have enjoyed using different coloured pegs to continue a repeated pattern. Children have also been busy creating patterns using laces and different coloured beads. This has given children an occasion to exercise their fine motor skills by threading beads through the lace.

Physical Development

Children in nursery are beginning to take care of their own basic hygiene, they are aware that they must put on an apron when they are painting. This gives our children the opportunity to develop and practise these skills and provides them with a firm base from which to go out and explore the world safely.

When children encounter the obstacles in an obstacle course, they develop and enhance strength and balance. Outdoor obstacle courses like the challenge course in our nursery garden are a great way for children to get a full-body workout. It makes them stronger and enhances their sense of balance at a young age.

PSED

Learning through play is the main focus in our nursery. We give our children opportunities where we follow their interest and make learning fun and creative. Children in nursery have been fascinated with dinosaurs, to get children talking in small groups we have added dinosaurs to the sand tray. Some children have enjoyed getting busy with the sand and have been telling their peers, ‘it feels like the beach’. Children have been learning to mark make in the sand and have been exploring all the different patterns they can create. Children have been excited to learn from each other and copy and edit each other’s designs.

Understanding the World

Children in nursery are given opportunities to explore their world through play. Children are given computers such as tablets and the interactive whiteboard which are made available to them. Adults scaffold children’s learning by modelling how to use certain programmes and use child friendly apps appropriately. Here children are learning to count to 10 and recognise the number by matching it up correctly to the number of dots on the ladybird.

Children are given different role- play opportunities, this month children are exploring the different things we can grow and eat. In nursery we have a farm shop, children enjoy talking about all the fruits and vegetables we have been learning about.