WEEK 2 TERM 1
Can you believe it - first full week - done!
Our first week has absolutely flown.
There have been so many new things to learn, from names to routines to ordering what to eat in 3 hours time.
So lets find out a bit more....
As the children come in through the door, the first things they need to do are to hang up coats and bags, take home/ school message books out of the bag and put them in the basket, put their feeling flower in the pot, give Mum, Dad, Grandparents, siblings a quick kiss goodbye and then straight into their morning activity - and as many of you have found out this week - the kiss goodbye was the most frequently forgotten thing - they have just been so excited and settling in!
How am I feeling today ?
The morning activities that we will experience this term are not simply a 'five minute filler' or 'something to play with', they all help to develop fine motor skills. Fine motor activities are crucial because they build the small muscle strength, control, and coordination in the hands and fingers needed for daily independence. These muscles allow children to feed themselves, brush their teeth, fasten buttons, pull up zippers, and get dressed without help. Good finger and hand control prepares children to hold a pencil correctly, draw, use safety scissors, and write letters. These precise tasks require hand-eye coordination and concentration, which boost cognitive growth and problem-solving skills. Mastering these everyday physical tasks builds a child's confidence and reduces frustration during daily routines. All this learning happens before 9.00!
Fine motor activities we have explored this week include threading, puzzles, building with magnetic tiles, making patterns with Numicon, rolling, squeezing and stretching playdough.
After our fine motor activities, we sit on the carpet, answer the register and order lunch. This week we have chosen cheese sandwiches, spaghetti and meatballs, jacket potatoes and of course no Friday is complete without the good old fish fingers. The children order their own lunches using the interactive whiteboard.
Then we engage in Poetry Basket - this is a programme designed to specifically help young children develop language, confidence, and creativity in ways that feel natural, playful, and deeply meaningful. This week we learnt the poem Chop Chop - ask your child if they can recite the poem (they may even include the actions).
Every Tuesday between now and half term, we have Gymnastics with Mr. Mandry. This week we were rolling down the mats in a pencil position, a tuck position and then we learnt some teddy bear rolls. We played a game whereby if Mr. Mandry said up, we had to jump up. If he said forward we had to step forward - you get the gist. We were doing really well.....and then Mr. Mandry decided to mix things up a bit and we had to do the opposite of what he said! How the children managed to keep up I have no idea as I have to be honest - I was struggling, clearly they listen and understand far better than me! I must try harder next week.
We also chose our first library books of the year to take home and keep for the week. They can be returned every Monday ready to be changed on a Tuesday.
Finally this week we met Jigsaw Jenny. Jigsaw is our whole school scheme of work used to teach Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE). This term's 'jigsaw piece' is entitled 'Being Me in my World'.
Jigsaw Jenny
Have a great weekend everyone - see you all on Monday
(with PE kits, message books and Library books)