This week in the Nest we've been focusing on awareness of simple mathematical concepts and number names. This includes recognising big and small things in meaningful context, developing an awareness of number names through action ryhmes and songs, getting to know and enjoy the Nest's daily routines, has some understanding that things still exist when out of sight.
Lately in the Nest, the babies have enjoyed posting and hiding objects, myself and Madi thought that this would be a good idea to incorpiate this to our Forest School activites. We came up with the idea to print some pictures off of different leaves, this ranged from big sycamore leaves to some small beech leaves. (This links to this weeks focal point - recognising big and small things in meaningful context) We then stuck them down onto the bottom of the tuff tray and covered them over with some sand!
This was a great oppurtunity for the babies to explore, quite a few of the babies aren't yet walking were able to experience the different textures of the sand between their fingers. The babies in the Nest absoluty love sensory play at the moment, having sand as an activity for the babies is a great way for the babies to begin to mark make.
We have also been counting all the different shaped leaves and also singing a range of number songs (this links with developing an awareness of number names through action ryhmes and songs) such as:
1,2,3,4,5,
Once a caught a fish alive,
6,7,8,9,10
Then I let it go again,
Why did you let it go?
Because it bit my finger so,
Which finger did it bite?
This little finger on my right.
3 little ducks went swimming one day over the pond and far away,
Mummy duck said "quack, quack, quack, quack"
But only 2 little ducks came swimming back
2 little ducks went swimming one day over the pond and far away,
Mummy duck said "quack, quack, quack, quack"
But only 1 little ducks came swimming back
1 little duck went swimming one day over the pond and far away,
Mummy duck said "quack, quack, quack, quack"
But no little ducks came swimming back!
3 cheeky monkeys jumping on the bed,
1 fell off and bumped his head,
Mummy called the doctor and the doctor said..
"no more monkey's jumping on the bed"
2 cheeky monkeys jumping on the bed,
1 fell off and bumped her head,
Mummy called the doctor and the doctor said..
"no more monkey's jumping on the bed"
1 cheeky monkey jumping on the bed,
he fell off and bumped his head,
Mummy called the doctor and the doctor said..
"no more monkey's jumping on the bed"
The babies love to sing these with us, so please feel free to do it at home with your little ones too!
We have had quite a few babies join us this year so far in the Nest. This is an important time for the babies as they are getting to know and enjoy the Nest's daily routines, all babies are getting on really well!
If your child is comforted by a object/toy please feel free to bring it with them! As this will help your baby feel settled in to the Nest. Having a comforter helps your child has some understand that things still exist when out of sight. We also have a family board which we need lots more photos for please! The babies love looking at pictures of themselves and other people!
Please feel free to bring lots of family pictures! We need lots more!!!
Thanks for reading!
Jade