I bought a new story - 'The Very busy Spider' by Eric Carle.
We're reading this daily and looking at the different animals that visit the spider.
We are talking about how the spider is very busy spinning it's web. (The book has a lovely textured web that the children can feel.) We're also talking about how the animals might be feeling when the spider doesn't speak to them. Is this what we do when we're busy? What could the spider do when someone talks? How does the spider feel when the web is finished? etc.
We're also singing 'Incy Wincy Spider' and '3 elephants went out to play upon a spider's web one day' with props and actions to help all children join in.
Francesca has made some new song cards based on songs that she discovered on her "Singing with under three's" course that we are using during our Burrow Circle Times (see Francesca's blog post)
On Forest School the children have been busy bug hunting (see Lauren's blog post) around the Paddock and the Orchard. It's been so much fun that we're continuing into May.
April is also a time of transition with little Burrowers moving to the Den and lots of little 'Hivelets' moving to the Burrow! We've also welcomed a lot of children and families who are new to Free Rangers. The children are doing really well and are being helped by the older children who have come back after the Easter break not only taller but much more confident! The parents seem quite happy too!
The children are busy getting to know the routines in the Burrow. Everyone has a key person and both children and families are getting to know the different adults in the Burrow. This is such a lovely journey for everyone all learning together!
The children are encouraged to free flow and select resources to meet their individual interests. The Burrow offers, role play, construction, small world toys, books and a cosy space, messy play, sand, water, soil, opportunities to be physical and hideaways to be quiet and contemplative.
As a Burrow team we endorse the phrase 'Play is a child's work.'
Soraya