It’s been another fun-filled month of learning through play for the children, with activities that have been inspired and developed in reaction to their interests.
One major activity with the potential to expand their skills and understanding in several areas was our sensory dino tray. This has featured playdoh, straws, matchsticks, pom poms, chippings and foam. These materials were used to create dinosaur habitats, explore textures, and provoke discussions about where and how dinosaurs lived, and how to describe sensory experiences using describing words. While they were building their dino habitats, they were also honing their fine motor skills—essential for using tools and implements accurately, from knives and forks to pencils and scissors.
It soon became clear we had a few dino experts, who told us that some dinosaurs were plant eaters and others, meat eaters. This prompted discussion about eating and categorising. The activity carried on developing as the children enjoyed stories and facts about dinosaurs, helped by the great collection of books picked for us by Sally at the library. We extended the STEM learning by creating ice dinosaur eggs, helping the children explore and discuss freezing and melting.
We also followed the children’s interest in water activities. We offered different items for the floating and sinking tray, and mark-making, using slate boards, paintbrushes and water to try and copy letters from their names. These activities provided great opportunities for the children to practise getting into their all-in-one waterproofs, becoming more confident with dressing independently. This is important for school readiness.
The children also enjoyed our brand-new puzzles and restyled craft table, including making mystery gifts for a special upcoming occasion. Their imaginative play and mathematic language were stimulated by a supermarket in the home corner, with tills, money and real packets. Outside, they enjoyed the washing station with soapy water, sponges and cloths, in response to their need to wipe the dinosaurs free of foam and clean sand off the cars!
We also managed to fit in celebrating World Book Day, when the children were invited to bring in their favourite story, and International Women’s Day, where the children showed pictures and talked about a woman important to them. We’re now getting ready for British Science Week.
CLEANER WANTED
We are seeking to recruit a cleaner for Preschool. For more details, please contact Helen, our chairperson, at buckdenpreschoolcommittee@gmail.com for more details.