Did you know.....

The starting point for all writing skills is Physical Development.

· In order to become successful writers children need lots of opportunities to develop their motor skills. Motor skills are motions carried out when the brain, nervous system and muscles work together. Children need to build their Gross motor skills in order to develop their Fine Motor skills. 

Children’s muscles need to be developed in the following order for them to become successful writers…….

· 1. Shoulder Muscles, examples of activities we carry out in Nursery are : Crawling, den building, parachute games, gardening (digging), PE sessions, climbing, self dressing, paint brush with bucket of water making large marks outside, drumming etc.

· 2. Elbow Muscles, examples of activities we carry out in Nursery are: Baking, painting, bat and ball, throwing, chalking, shaking instruments, play dough (rolling), zipping up coats, stirring (baking), cars on tracks, small world activities etc.

· 3. Wrist Muscles, examples of activities we carry out in Nursery are: hand washing, cutting up fruit, turning pages in books, mark making, scooping sand, pouring water, self dressing (socks and shoes) dressing dolls, making play dough, using the computer (mouse) etc.

· 4.  Finger Muscles, examples of activities we carry out in Nursery are: Cutting, threading beads, finger puppets, fastening buttons, jigsaws, keyboard typing, magnetic letters etc.

To help your child to become successful writers provide them with activities to develop these muscles so when they start Primary School they are ready to learn to write.

The great outdoors....

Monday morning quote.....

Potty training advice....

Thinking of potty training, but unsure where to start??




This is a great link for advice on potty training....
https://www.eric.org.uk/pages/category/potty-training

Please speak to a member of the team if you wish to potty train your child, we can help by working together! : )

Measuring how deep the puddles are.....

"How deep is the puddle?" 

 The children initiated a mathematical activity during outdoor access. Helen observed from a distance the children using mathematical language, displaying sustained shared thinking and problem solving.

"what could we use to measure the puddle?"

"What about using this plank of wood? it's heavy"

"it's this deep!"
Helen asked "should we measure it using a ruler?"

IMPACT 
Maths: Beginning to talk about the shapes of everyday objects, e.g. ‘round’ and ‘tall
Creating and thinking critically: Having their own ideas •Thinking of ideas •Finding ways to solve problems •Finding new ways to do things
Creating and thinking critically: Choosing ways to do things •Planning, making decisions about how to approach a task, solve a problem and reach a goal •Checking how well their activities are going •Changing strategy as needed •Reviewing how well the approach worked

Our Harvest collection

Thank you to everyone who contributed to our Harvest collection.
We have decided to donate our basket to Blackburn Food bank, they will be collecting it on Friday 27th September.

https://blackburn.foodbank.org.uk

Do you want to book your child onto a Zoolab workshop?

On Wednesday 9th October a company called ‘ZooLab’ will be coming to Nursery. If your child does not attend on this day, you can book them into the workshop but you must stay with them, if your child attends nursery on a Wednesday pm the staff will supervise them during the workshop.

ZooLab provides an array of high quality, curriculum based, animal handling experiences which are guaranteed to stimulate an interest in science and nature.

If you would like your child to attend this workshop a small fee of £4.00 will need to be paid by Friday 27th September to Lisa in the office. 

I have a maximum of 35 spaces so it is first come first serve. Please ask a member of staff for a booking form. 

https://www.zoolabuk.com/

Keeping children safe online....

From age-specific online safety checklists to guides on how to set parental controls on a range of devices, you’ll find a host of practical tips to help children get the most out of their digital world on the following link...

https://www.internetmatters.org/

A busy week in Pre School ....

Maths - •Uses some number names accurately in play

Choosing ways to do things •Planning, making decisions about how to approach a task, solve a problem and reach a goal •Checking how well their activities are going •Changing strategy as needed

PSED - •May form a special friendship with another child.
Literacy - • Looks at books independently. • Handles books carefully

PSED - •Begins to accept the needs of others and can take turns and share resources, sometimes with support from others.

Physical - •May be beginning to show preference for dominant hand.

C&L - Listens to others one to one or in small groups, when conversation interests them

Physical - Shows control in holding and using jugs to pour, hammers, books and mark-making tools.

PSED - •Shows understanding and cooperates with some boundaries

C&L • Is able to follow directions

PSED - •Understands use of objects

Literacy - Joins in with repeated refrains and anticipates key events and phrases in rhymes and stories.(activity based around a book) 

Literacy - •Sometimes gives meaning to marks as they draw

Physical - Health and self care 

Expressive Arts and design - • Imitates movement in response to music.

Physical - Helps with clothing, e.g. puts on hat, unzips zipper on jacket, takes off unbuttoned shirt. 

Maths - •Uses some number names and number language spontaneously.

PSED- •Seeks out others to share experiences

PSED - •Welcomes and values praise for what they have done.

Playing and exploring - being willing to have a go 

Maths - Knows that a group of things changes in quantity when something is added or taken away. 

PSED -• Initiates play, offering cues to peers to join them

EA & D - •Uses available resources to create props to support role-play.

Following instructions ....

Intent: From a child's interest and next steps: Communication and language - understanding - responding to instructions

Implementation: Set up a road safety activity outside using traffic lights for 'stop' and 'go' instructions. 

Impact: 

-Communication and language - Understanding - responding to instructions

-Communication and language - Speaking 

-Expressive arts and design - Being imaginative 

-Characteristic of effective learning - Being willing to have a go