‘Listen to them, the children of the night. What music they make!’ ― Bram Stoker, Dracula
News from the Rooms
We used Halloween as an opportunity to talk to the Seedlings about different colours. While enjoying a spot of wet play, the children used food colouring to turn water bright orange. They also had a great time working on their fine motor skills as they used giant tweezers to grab strands of slimy green spaghetti. Keeping the slippery pasta in the Tuff Tray was hard work!
Gloop – made from cornflour, a dash of water and pink food colouring – was also on the menu for an engaging sensory activity. Armed with spoons and forks, the children dragged the cutlery through the sticky solution to see what marks they could make. The children loved having their hands painted in autumnal shades to make their own leaf print interpretations. Finley was really engrossed – we think we have a budding artist on our hands!
Towards the end of the week, the Seedlings showed off their flair for music while playing instruments as they sang along to different nursery rhymes. Clemmie was really into the rhythm and Devon jiggled away at the table.
Star Of the Week:
Devon – For her wonderful dancing skills.
The Saplings really got into the spirit of Halloween. The children had the chance to explore different textures while playing with a Halloween dish full of artificial leaves in autumnal colours, a selection of real leaves gathered up from our garden plus sticks and small gourds and made some slimy potions outdoors.
While pouring orange paint into an ice cube tray, Otis cleverly said it was the same shade as a pumpkin. The children loved popping the cubes out of the tray once they’d frozen. Willow commented that the cubes were cold, while Otis exclaimed: ‘Wow!’. Ahead of our Halloween bash, the children decorated their own party bags. Penelope chose a pumpkin shape and very carefully placed it into orange paint. She then put the shape onto her party bag. She went on to tell a member of staff that it was very wet.
At the Halloween party, the children worked as a team to carve a large pumpkin. They carefully scooped out the seeds too, ready to be roasted for a delicious snack which the whole group enjoyed.
Star Of the Week:
Penelope – For being so happy when she came into nursery. She also thoroughly enjoyed all of the activities that Saplings undertook this week.
In the run-up to Halloween, the Acorns got stuck into an array of spooky activities. We had so much fun making sensory bags which included all different textures such as orange paint, water, baby oil, shaving foam and an assortment of Halloween props. The children loved using different body parts to feel the textures.
We also set up a Tuff Tray with shaving foam in the shape of a spider’s web. Axel was keen to get messy and giggled as he spread it all over his arms. Harvey really concentrated while making marks in the slimy substance. We ended the week with a challenge that saw the Acorns try to stack as many wooden blocks as they could on top of one another. James adored knocking his tall tower over, while Leo was ever so helpful when it came to putting the blocks back in the box at the end.
Star Of the Week:
Finley – For interacting with friends and staff members confidently.
The children were in awe as they opened the cabin door (built to provide shelter in times of turbulent weather) and discovered beautiful fairy lights adorning the inner walls, Tamsin and Connie remarked how sparkly they were and danced a merry jig of enjoyment.
Helgi focussed for a great deal of time as he knotted and twisted, wrapped and overlapped using rope to encase tree trunks. His explanations were in-depth and carefully thought out and it was wonderful to observe him in such deep thought.
Holly and Xander worked seed into lard to produce some substantial bird cakes; they particularly impressed as they accurately forced string through the middle using fine sticks to insert a hanging string. Connie, Jacob and Isla enjoyed the natural trunk balance beam as they worked together to help one another cross (after all the Troll might be living beneath!!)
Our Oaks had such a blast celebrating Halloween.
In true Broughton style, we created decorations and outfits using recycled materials. Amelie K transformed a cardboard box into a fabulously spooky ra-ra skirt.
The children also had a go at making a hearty pumpkin soup. It was a first for many of the children, and a few of the Oaks suggested it’s not something they’d like to eat again!
Our Oaks also enjoyed a fun-filled Halloween party where they belted out some spooky numbers and also took the opportunity to tell their best scary jokes on a stage that they created. The children impressed us with their moves to Bobby Pickett’s hit song Monster Mash too. It was lovely to see how much the children have grown in confidence during their time in the room.
Of course, a party wouldn’t be complete without a game of Pass the Parcel. Prior to the celebration, the children worked hard on creating the parcel. James Jones was delighted to be crowned the winner.
We’d like thank Annette for the spooktacular afternoon tea she whipped up. It was such a treat to tuck into it outside on one of the milder days.
The Oaks have been excelling at phonics this week as well. All of the children sat beautifully while also listening to instructions very well during the different activities. The practitioners noticed brilliant turn-taking too.
With all of the youngsters fascinated by bugs, we decided to introduce some activities linked to creepy crawlies. We let the Oaks guide the activities to give them a chance to let their imaginations run wild while also strengthening their bonds with one another.
Star Of the Week:
Finneas – For showing his friends how to be very gentle and caring with the bugs they found. He really tried to help his peers overcome any fears they had when it came to handling the insects.
Announcement:
May we please ask for donations of shoe boxes for a project we’ll be starting later this month.
Yours sincerely
The Broughton team