The Christmas Holidays. 

21st December  - 5th January 

The weather is getting colder and we even have had some snow ..Why dont you make a snow flake ? Here is Sarah showing you how.

We will miss you whilst you are home for the christmas holidays. Here are some  ideas to keep you busy and learning whilst the nursery is closed. 

1. Make some playdough .. it takes 4 minutes to make, its cheap and keeps for weeks. There is so much learning that can take place it is well worth it.

All you need is

You need:

• 2 cups plain flour (all purpose)
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil  (baby oil and coconut oil work too)
• 1/2 cup salt
• 2 tablespoons cream of tartar ( you can buy it at Aldi)
• 1 to 1.5 cups boiling water (adding in increments until it feels just right)
• gel food colouring (optional)

• Method:

  • Mix the flour, salt, cream of tartar and oil in a large mixing bowl
  • Add food colouring TO the boiling water then into the dry ingredients
  • Stir continuously until it becomes a sticky, combined dough
  • Allow it to cool down then take it out of the bowl and knead it vigorously for a couple of minutes until all of the stickiness has gone. * This is the most important part of the process, so keep at it until it's the perfect consistency!*

2. Make some bean bags 

We have noticed that many of our children need practice with throwing and catching. Handeye co-ordination is such an important skill, it is important for brain development and overall wellbeing. 

Bean bags can be used safely inside. simple throwing in the air or thowing at a target like a bowl or bucket will be great for your child. 

3. Here are some links to your teachers reading stories. We hope that you have some books at home to read too. 

14th December 

This week we are getting ready for christmas at nursery.

We have played some lovely games to get ready for our party. One of our favourites is musical bumps. You can play as a family. Everyone has to listen carefully and sit down when the music stops. Its lots of fun and great for listening skills 

 Here is are two  lovely games that children can play.

https://www.topmarks.co.uk/christmas/decorate-tree

https://www.topmarks.co.uk/learning-to-count/teddy-numbers/xmas

7th December 

This week in Nursery we have been making decorations and christmas cards. We  have also noticed that it is getting colder. We have made snowflakes using paper and scissors Can you make a snow flake like Sarah ? 

https://youtu.be/REGOkmXKI90

Or you could make a snow scene using cotton wool and an egg carton. Dont forget to send us photos of anything you make at home. 

The children are fascinated by ice. You could freeze some ice and let them paint it . Its a great opportunity to introduce lots of new words as the children notice the ice melting and changing back to water. 

30th November 

This week in Nursery we are starting to think about the lead up to christmas.

Our book of the week is Stickman by Julia Donalson . Click on the link below to see a beautiful animated version of the story. 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b06t09rk/stick-man

Once you have watched it why don't you draw a picture of your favourite part of the story.

Stickman really wants to get home to his family tree  but he is used in lots of different ways first .. can you remember them all ? 

How about making a Count Down to Christmas Snowman It's fun and easy to make and great for counting and numbers 

This week is Maths Week 

23rd November

We are doing lots of number actvities  this week in nursery 

Here are some ideas of what you can do whilst you are at home. 

Why don't you play a number game at home? 

Here is a  Caroline playing "Listen and Count." Its really important for children to learn to count things that can't be seen, like jumps and claps . See if you can do it!  

Here is a lovely , simple number activity to help your child learn numbers at home. We are mainly learning 1-10 so keep to those numbers. No need to use rainbow rice , ordinary rice will do. Have fun . 

This week its Road Safety Week and we are learning about Road Safety in the Nursery . 

16th November

What shall we do this week? 

Here is Sarah reading you a book called Dig Dig Digging. Can you join in ? Which machines do you see when you walk down the street or through your window? 

Some of you can see the bus station from your window !

Can you join in with the words and make up some of your own ? 

Why dont you play The Traffic Light Game. This is a great way to develop listening skills as well as getting rid of some energy.  Red for stop and Green for go ...for older children you could add Orange ( or amber ) which could  be running on the spot. Have fun... look at the clip below for some more ideas. 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/tiny-happy-people/traffic-light-game/zbrd8xs

Make a Road 

You can make a road using an old cardboard box and teach your teddies to cross the road.

Watch Caroline teach her teddies Kanga and Roo to cross the road. 

This week we are  learning about Diwali in the nursery .

9th November 

Diwali is the Hindu festival of lights. Click on the link below and learn how one little girl and her family prepare and celebrate this festival 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/watch/lets-celebrate-diwali

Make a Shape Rocket 

At Diwali there are lots of fireworks. Why dont you make a firework rocket with your child.

All you need is paper, pencils and scissors ( if you use card from an old cereal box the shapes will last!)  Have a look below for some ideas. They can move around the shapes to make lots of different pictures. 

What are they learning ?

Using shapes to make a picture is a great way to help children learn about shape. Encourage them to point at shapes and look at different sizes . Which shapes are the same which are different ? Encourage them to talk about whether the the shapes are round or straight , where are the corners ...and so on. Older children can start to name the shapes as well. 

This Week's Book 

2nd November 

In nursery we are reading one of our favourite books "Owl Babies" It always makes us think of Autumn as it gets darker so much earlier. It helps the children learn about being left whilst you go to the shops or they come to nursery. Why don't you click on the link below and listen to the story and talk about it to your child.

Activities to do this week...

Owl Baby Puppets

Would you like to make Owl baby puppets?  Puppets are  great way to develop childrens speech and language  as they retell stories and make up their own. 

Watch Caroline show you how to make them. 

Autumn Walk. 

This is a lovely time of year to be visiting the park and looking at the trees and plants.  How many different colours can your child see as they look around?  Talk to your child about the parts of a tree; the branches the trunk and the leaves. Why dont you collect some leaves and twigs to bring home. 

You can make some pictures using what you find. 

Look at what we made !

Make a Dark Den.

Making dens is always a fun thing to do at home. All you need is a blanket , a couple of chairs or a table.  Its a great way to learn about the dark. What is it like in there? I wonder why  it is different ? Can you use a torch and look at the inside of your den ?  Maybe you could share a book with a favourite toy.

Curly Caths Tree Dance  

At Newtown Nursery School we love to Dance.  Dancing is so good for you, not only does it use up some energy, it also can improve your health in other ways. You might think that rhythm is something you just feel or enjoy, but like with music, it improves your cognitive reasoning, which in turn strengthens your brain!   It also helps you stay relaxed, and improves your mental health.   

Can you dance like a tree in the wind ?

Click on the link below.

What can this box be ? 

Save the recycling and let your child build something. Its  great for their imagination and creativity.