Throughout February the planning has been focussed on communication and language, in particular building and supporting children’s listening and attention skills.
Mark making in coloured flour, oats and lentils and then using cars and vehicles to make tracks through these different mediums provide practitioners with the opportunity to listen to children’s chat and discussions and scaffold emerging and already developed language.
Basic methods might be repeating back to the child. E.g. ‘Yes, cars do make a “brrmmm’ sound,’ for older children, timing a question can also promote and develop language use e.g. “What noise does a fire engine make?” Simple circle time games, where a vehicle is held behind an adult’s back and then described, even at such a young age, can really help build listening skills too. E.g. ‘This vehicle lives on a farm, it has four big wheels and this one is bright blue in colour. Can you name it?”
The Hive has also recently received heavy investment with regards to their outdoor resources. There are two new sandpits, cascading water trays, camouflage dens, a bird hide and many more smaller resources. These have noticeably encouraged and supported transportation activities that many of the children are currently interested with.
The most favourite song throughout February has been “Sleeping bunnies.” Here’s a link. This is a really lovely song as the children need to listen to the words and understand when to be quiet and sleeping bunnies and when to be hopping bunnies! Throughout February we’ve built on this by adding musical instruments to these little performances.
Up and coming in March in The Hive
You’ll have seen on our Facebook page that Cat and Abbie have left Free Rangers to pastures new. We are sad to see them go but we are excited to welcome three new full time staff within the Den. Their information will soon be on our website under the staff section. From April 2017 they will be assigned key children but up until then they’ll be getting to know all the children, our processes and procedures and the learning and development styles such as the RIE approach.
We’d like to thank you for your patience and understanding as these new staff become settled. We have worked hard to ensure the transition for your children is as smooth as possible. Please speak to Madi if you have any further questions about your child’s key person until they have been newly assigned in April 2017.
Also please can we politely remind children who are coming in for breakfast to endeavour to be in The Hive by 8.15am. The reason for this is because at 8.30am more children arrive and this is disruptive for those trying to sit and enjoy a relaxed timely breakfast.
Throughout March we’re going to be looking at the topics of Easter, Mothers’ Day and Red Nose Day.
Charlotte