Weekly roundup 3 February 2023

This week both rooms have been taken part in activities to start off our investigation topic and exploring how things work. 

In Bumbles the children carried out a range of experiments looking at how objects can be changed. These included dissolving substances in water, making raising 'dance' with bicarbonate of soda and investigating how temperature can affect the rate at which ice melts. Moving Monkeys was a popular activity which involves putting together a series of cogs and watching how they turn together and allow the monkeys to swing and spin!

At the craft table children used a colour mixing station to see how paint changes when combined with other colours. They looked at insects and observed the different types of legs and feet between them. Outside the children used binoculars to see some nature up close and used junk materials to create their own versions.  

Another visit was enjoyed on Wednesday from a firefighter who brought in his helmet and torch for the children to try. He spoke to them about his job and how the fire service do many things in addition to putting out fires. 
Our reading choices have included some traditional tales during circle time - Goldilocks and the 3 Bears, The 3 Little Pigs and Jack and the Beanstalk. We spoke about our favourite characters and the reasons why we liked them. 
Next week we will continue looking at how things work and reading more of our favourite familiar and traditional tales, focusing on Jack on the Beanstalk which will link with our topic after half term, Gardening and Growing. 

Honeys have really enjoyed reading traditional tales this week, including Goldilocks and Cinderella during circle time. The children spoke about how Goldilocks shouldn’t have opened the door to the bears house and how sad baby bear must be feeling with his bowl of porridge now empty. We have also enjoyed spending time in our key groups with our key workers, playing games that encourage turn taking and sharing and extending our language, e.g. “the spider is UNDER the box”. Focusing on the word 'under' in this example supports toddlers with their communication and language skills by helping them understand prepositions (in, on, under etc). You can help at home by taking time to play with your child and introducing them to these concepts. 

The Knock Knock Box has been a popular choice of activity this week - a child knocks on the big box and opens a drawer to see what’s inside. We then choose a song related to the object - e.g. Baa Baa Black Sheep, 3 Little Ducks etc. 

More traditional and favourite stories are on the plan for next week in Honeys. Do let us know if your child has a particular favourite book at home by uploading a photograph to Tapestry of them reading it!

Have a great weekend.