Dolphins go to Africa for July...

What are we doing in Dolphins in July?

Well, this is our barbecue month and the theme this year is African Safari. So, we will be exploring the continent of Africa for July through taste, colours, patterns and music.

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

Prime areas:
PSED: Thinking about the similarities between their own and other cultures. PD: Gross and fine motor skill learning through a range of movements from being animals to some African style music and movement. C&L Learning words from another culture through greetings, counting and hearing different languages used in the music.

Specific areas:

L: Reading stories from other cultures, looking at different symbols and doing self-research from reading.  M: Identifying shapes and patterns from the African continent. EA&D: Exploring different designs and using ideas to build masks, shields, etc.

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

·         African patterned bunting. Jenny will be making bunting with the children looking at African designs and patterns.

·         African music and movement. Jenny will be exploring the different musical sounds of Africa and making dances with the children.

·         African flags. Manjit will be looking at a range of African flags, thinking about the colours in common and making a snap game for the children.

·         Handa’s surprise. Marie-Claire will be exploring the fruit from the story, Handa’s surprise with the children, tasting them and talking about their qualities and properties.

·         African shields. Matt will be making African Shields with the children, thinking about pattern, design and looking at images of African warriors.

·         African masks. Laura Z will be making African masks with the children and thinking about the expressions on the masks and what they say.

·         Rain makers. Christine H will be making rain makers with the children using rice, tissue and cups.

·         Counting to ten in Swahili. The children will learn a simple song and to count in Swahili, Kenya’s national language.

What you could do to support your children at home:

·        Do you have family who live in Africa? Is your familiy, or part of it, from any part of Africa? Can you share photos, stories or experiences of Africa with the nursery? Send in your child’s connections to Africa with them to share at circle times and small groups.

·       Do some thinking together about the animals of Africa. Do some research together in books , on the internet, documentaries about African animals and safaris. Take a pretend safari together- imagine all the animals you might see!

·       Share with your child images of children in different parts of Africa. Compare the differences and similarities to their own lives. For younger children, just have them available to look through.

·       Get down and boogie to some African music. We’ll be doing a lot of this at nursery- share some moves together at home too!

·       The barbecue costume! Start thinking about your children’s costumes for the barbecue. It is a themed event. Team and children will be dressing up- parents can too!