Summer Term Week 9

The Hungry Caterpillar has been very much part of our week! We have waved goodbye to our lovely butterflies and there is a video on facebook if you would like to see it, we have made caterpillars in many different forms and we have also learnt about the snail, frog and worm life cycle with some very realistic new models!

Part of learning at preschool is also about how to take care of things and with the new toys we have been teaching the children about putting them away carefully and keeping the bits together so I have had a few moments when a child was worrying about where the frogspawn has been taken and another wanted to know why the worm eggs were missing already so a good reflection of the fact that our new toys are special had sunk in and I am pleased to say that the missing items were located! We have had training this week from Andrea who went on a brilliant course – lots of good ideas about how we give instructions and how many words we use. A good example here is we often say “lunchtime – go and wash your hands” and then wonder why the children are running off to get their lunch bags – now was say “wash your hands and then go to lunch” so simple and so we are practising – we also say “go to the toilet” and in they go and out they come! Now we say “got to the toilet and go for a wee”! Much fewer child now need a wee while eating their lunch!

Our Sun and Moon circles have also been working on blending letter sounds as this is a key skill for reading and Robot Reg has certainly helped prepare them with some excellent letter work. They have worked to make patterns and written their names and enjoyed caterpillar and butterfly craft.

The Stars have used shapes to make houses and rockets with some fantastic results and have worked hard on counting and they are all really settled and doing well in their group.

Outside we have been building a castle and have moved away from the digging pit to concentrate on creativity in a different way. Next week more castle play, fairy tales story telling and acting, home corner play inside and lots more letters and sounds work and a few visits to primary schools as well for some children. As always please do get in touch if you have any worries about your child or home life or starting school, we have lots of answers and advice and can often help or find help if you need any.