What are we doing in Dolphins this month?

From February to March we will be having an enhanced focus on animals

The children have become very interested in animals since Chinese New Year when we discussed all sorts of animals that represent the years of the Chinese calendar. Children were proud of the mostly pigs and dogs that we have in Dolphins and the medley of different animals represent the teacher. We are  going to go a bit more in depth into animal this month and learn about some different  and unusual animals and well as a bit more about some familiar ones.

The activities this month will be based around the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) areas of learning:

KUW-Learning new animals and more about ones we know PSED- Learning about how to care for animals and why looking after animals is important.  MD- Looking at sizes and shapes of animals. Comparing the differences. CLL Learning a range of new and unusual words, especially the names of animals that are not in the our usual vocabulary. PD Gross motor skills in role playing animals and moving in different ways.  CD- using a range of media to create artistic interpretations of animals.

Some of the activities we will be doing this month to support this will be:

·         Jenny will be having a focus on unusual animals for her preschool group learning new and unusual names and looking at animals they have never seen before.

·         Laura W will be setting up the home corner into a vets for the children to role play in. She will also be researching animals and facts on the ipad.

·         Laura Z will be setting up collage with a range of animal shapes for children to put together as they choose and come up with new animals.

·         Christine H will be setting out for children a range of animal pictures for children to cut out and make collages with.

·         Laura J will be setting up the junk modelling for children to make animal homes, zoos, castles, etc.

·         Laura Z will be doing an activity with the children on matching animal footprints to animal pictures with discussions about the types of feet they have and why.

·         Christina will be showing the children the process of making cookies and the children will get to choose animals to use for their shape.

What you could do to support your children at home:

·         Take your child on an animal spotting walk to look for dogs, cats, horses, cows, sheep, foxes, etc.

·         Look for footprints in snow, mud, etc and think together about what animal could have made them.

·         See if you can find out about an animal that is very unusual and bring a picture in to the nursery.

·         Go to the library and get some books out on animals to look through together.

·         Take a trip to the zoo.