Our story this week was 'The Elves and the shoemakers.' We really enjoyed discussing this story and learnt some new vocabulary. We chose our favourite shoes and talked about why we liked them best. Children chose a variety such as slippers, trainers, boots, sandals, crocs and wellies. They were able to describe how they looked and could write the initial sounds, or most of the sounds in the word.

We printed on shoes to design our own pattern and then used a needles and thread to stitch around the shoes. The children really preserved with a tricky job and were really proud of themselves. They were honing their fine motor skills whilst making shoes, just like the elves in the story.

In Maths the children counted out miniature shoes and matched the to the correct numeral. They also looked closely to find the matching pair. They sorted the shoes by colour and counted how many there were of each colour. In Maths the children counted out miniature shoes and matched the to the correct numeral. They also looked closely to find the matching pair. They sorted the shoes by colour and counted how many there were of each colour. The children also worked on their spatial awareness, size vocabulary and measuring by trying to match the correct shoe to the footprint. They were able to identify and use the vocabulary 'big, medium, small, bigger and smaller.' The checked the shoe by placing the back of it right at the end of the footprint and then checking to see if there was any space left.

The children have been exploring and learning all about the number 5 through a range of fun, hands-on activities! They practised counting to 5, carefully touching and counting objects one at a time to develop accurate counting skills. The children also worked on recognising the numeral 5, spotting it in the environment and beginning to link the number symbol to the correct quantity. They also began to develop subitising skills, recognising small quantities without needing to count each object. These activities support important early maths skills, including problem-solving, pattern recognition, and confidence with numbers. It was lovely to see the children growing in confidence and enthusiasm as they explored the number 5 in different ways!

This week, the children enjoyed playing a fun Matching Memory Pairs game using different shoes! The shoes were placed face down, and the children took turns to flip over two at a time, trying to find matching pairs. This simple but engaging game supports a wide range of important early skills. The children developed their memory and concentration as they tried to remember where each shoe was. They also practised turn-taking and sharing, learning to wait patiently and celebrate each other’s successes. The activity encouraged language development, with children describing the shoes they found (e.g. “stripy”, “big”, “sparkly”) and talking about their choices. It also supported problem-solving skills, as they began to think carefully and make connections between different pairs. In addition, the game helped build visual discrimination, as children noticed similarities and differences between shoes, and confidence, as they became more willing to have a go and participate in group play. It was wonderful to see the children so engaged, supporting one another and having fun while learning!

This week, the children took part in Dough Disco and Mark Making to Music, combining movement, music and creativity in a fun and engaging way! During Dough Disco, the children manipulated playdough in time to music, squeezing, rolling, pinching and stretching it. This helps to strengthen the small muscles in their hands and fingers, which are essential for developing fine motor skills and supporting early writing. In our mark making activity, the children paint sticks to create marks on paper while listening and moving to different types of music. This encouraged them to explore rhythm, pattern and movement, as well as express themselves creatively. These activities support early writing skills, helping children gain control over the marks they make and begin to understand that marks can carry meaning. They also promote listening and attention, as children respond to changes in music, and coordination, as they link movement with sound. It was fantastic to see the children so focused, expressive and enthusiastic as they explored music and mark making together!

World Book Day

This week, we had a wonderful time celebrating World Book Day! The children enjoyed coming to nursery dressed as their favourite characters and sharing their love of stories with their friends. Throughout the day, we explored a range of books, listening to stories, talking about our favourite characters and joining in with repeated phrases. This helped to develop the children’s listening and attention skills, as well as their understanding of stories. The children were encouraged to talk about who they dressed up as, supporting their communication and language development and building confidence when speaking in front of others. We also explored imaginative play, acting out stories and creating our own ideas inspired by books. Sharing stories together supports early reading skills, helping children to understand how books work, develop a love of reading and begin to recognise that print carries meaning. It also encourages creativity and self-expression. It was a fantastic day full of excitement, imagination and a shared enjoyment of books!