Well done to all those that dressed up this week for Halloween, the costumes were extremely varied and imaginative! From cat-boy and Geko from ‘PJ Masks’ to our very own Elsa, witches, pirates, skeletons and even a few pumpkins, we were all very impressed!
The Oaks have worked very hard this week in preparation for Halloween. To begin with, the children read stories surrounding Halloween, such as “The Very Brave Witch” and “Room on the Broom.” The children decided they wanted to make potions in order to help the witch who, as the story reaches its climax creates a ‘truly magnificent broom’. Ingredient suggestions included; coloured water with added glitter, lentils, split peas (shaped into a pumpkin), spoons and pots to transport and contain the ingredients. Using concentration and their fine motor skills, the children scooped up the peas and put them into their pots, added water gradually, spoonful by spoonful until full. Evie pointed out that the peas almost ‘disappeared’, camouflaged by their orange hue matching that of the Halloween buckets. This led to discussions about how we can carve our pumpkins; the children decided to design what they thought the pumpkins should look like. Belle drew a pumpkin that had a pig-like nose and was brightly coloured which flies in the face of tradition.
Following on from this, the Oaks used utensils to carefully carve out a pumpkin according to their plans, with two eyes, a nose and wonky looking mouth. The children felt the squishy flesh and the hard seeds as they scooped the inside into bowls. It was then their job to separate the seeds from the flesh in preparation of making pumpkin soup. Using their fine motor skills, the children used a finger and thumb approach, picking out each individual seed. To create a spooky effect, we inserted a battery operated tea-light to illuminate the pumpkins which fascinated the children once darkness set in.
In keeping with our Halloween theme, the children created their own individual pumpkin and ghost buckets using PVA glue and tissue paper. Ripping the tissue paper into smaller pieces and improving their scissor skills, the children really honed in on their fine motor skills. Once the buckets had dried, the Oaks were lucky enough to go trick or treating to each of the groups including a visit to John and Michelle in the office, showing off their scary costumes which were all rather fantastic!
This week the Saplings have been busy exploring a range of materials and resources inspired by Halloween. They managed to navigate their way through the ‘giant spider web’ that was covering the tuff tray to find, amongst other things, spiders, bugs and snakes. They then used their findings to make a ‘witches broth’ in the kitchen. This prompted endless role-play with them utilising every food item to make lots of interesting ‘meal ideas’ for the staff! To extend this, some of the Halloween objects were placed outside in the mud kitchen where the children continued to make-believe.
The children experimented with ‘black, spooky gloop’ using their gross motor movements to stir and then scoop up the items with spoons and utensils before releasing them to switch to using their hands to manipulate instead. They enjoyed feeling and squeezing the gloop and they laughed as they flapped their hands and watched it splash, making rather a lot of mess!
The Saplings partook in a number of craft activities including bat making, ghost hand printing and exploring the texture of tissue paper whilst making pumpkin lanterns. Stanley was fixated whilst watching the glue drop from the glue spreader as he stuck tissue paper to his glass jar and Theo got creative whilst designing a ‘scary’ face on his lantern. Both Alf and Tilly were a little nervous getting paint on their hands initially but after a little encouragement, they carried on trying and proudly showed off their finished bat creations!
To conclude the Halloween theme, we celebrated with our own party where the children joined in with party games, dancing, singing and making some spooktacular cornflake cakes. These were decorated with edible creepy crawlies and to finish off we enjoyed a Halloween tea party with lots of yummy party food!
This week the Seedlings also took part in Halloween themed activities. They enjoyed painting pumpkin fields using apple prints and sponges to create different textures. They have also been busy becoming pumpkin hunters searching for hidden pumpkins beneath shredded paper. Using their fine motor skills to lift up the individual sections, the children sifted through until they found pumpkins, all varying in size. To continue the theme, the children made pipe cleaner spiders, gently bending them to fashion legs and completing the insect by gluing googly eyes upon the body. Sophia sat and concentrated whilst she very gently and carefully completed this task, laughing as the googly eyes wobbled ferociously.
The Seedlings became bakers whilst creating Halloween cookies. The children used their gross motor skills to mix the ingredients together. They then kneaded the dough, feeling how squishy it was beneath their fingertips and watching as it re-formed when poked and prodded. Using Halloween cutters, the children cut out various shapes then laid them upon a tray to be cooked in the oven. Socially, this has really helped some of the children understand how to share and take turns, as well as learning new techniques as they observed the actions the adult demonstrated.
The Seedlings also enjoyed a visual sensory experience as they relaxed after taking part in ‘baby yoga’. After stretching out their muscles – where Thomas very proudly showed everyone his cat pose – the children laid on their mats and looked up at the ceiling illuminated with projected pumpkins. They all found this fascinating and exclaimed as the pictures moved around the room.
The Acorns have also been delving into the mysteries of Halloween. Exploring the sense of touch, the children enjoyed the experience of playing with the inside of a pumpkin, feeling it’s fleshy insides; later filled with shaving foam. When the foam was pressed further in it poured out of the eyes, nose and mouth holes, causing the children to scream in excitement. The children also took part in apple printing in order to create their own pumpkins. Using a palmar grasp grip, the acorns were able to pick up the apple and push it onto the paper.
Despite the wet and windy weather the Acorns have thoroughly enjoyed spending a lot of time outside, getting muddy in the mud kitchen. To further their schemas of emptying and filling containers, the children have been using spoons and other utensils to transport mud and water between pots. Some of the children were fascinated by the crunchy texture of the leaves under their feet as they stomped over them.
Messages:
To aid smooth parking in line with the new arrangements John will be out each evening to offer assistance where this is needed. Please remember that only the first two car drivers (or occupants) should alight from their car to collect their child/ren and only once they have driven away should the next cars move forward and alight.
Once again, we would like to remind parents to please provide suitable clothing for the weather. It has been noticed that some children are arriving with lots of clothing that is not appropriate for the cold and wet weather. Waterproof clothing is now essential, as are wellies.
Due to new NDNA guidelines and in order to further protect both our staff and yourselves, we are asking any adults dropping off or collecting at the gate to please wear a mask. The staff will also be wearing masks at the gate. Thank you for understanding and your cooperation.
Stars of the Week:
Oaks – Frankie – for excellent listening skills and for always showing true kindness to his peers.
Saplings – Annabelle – for demonstrating friendly behaviour towards others by involving and encouraging a less confident child to join in her play.
Seedlings – Flynn – for his incredible dance moves.
Acorns – Henry – for showing a can-do attitude when walking the length of the garden using a walker.
Have a fantastic week,
Yours sincerely
The Team at Broughton.