Children have been supported in developing their storytelling alongside collaborative construction.
After reading and sharing The Three Little Pigs story, children then were supported in creating their own models of houses. They used one handed tools and selected materials from a range on offer to create their own models. They used joining skills as well and shared their achievements, inspiring each other.
Some children then were encouraged to share their own version of the story - which an adult transcribed for them. It is wonderful to read the children's ideas and words. 
In the garden there was some collaborative construction and children were supported to listen to each others ideas, share and take turns and play imaginatively.

Remember to borrow your child's Special Book to share in the wonderful learning experiences they are involved in every day at school! 

We know how important physical development is for our whole body, including our brain. 
That is why Physical Development is a Prime Area in our curriculum. 
Children need to develop their bodies by moving in a range of ways: crawling, shuffling, walking., running, jumping, balancing, hopping, dancing, skipping and cycling. 
Physical activity has also been linked to improved emotional and social development, increased self-esteem and better attention span and who doesn't want all of those benefits. 
At Children's House part of our daily physical activity includes cycling using our balance bikes. We support children from the age of two to access them and support positive cycling behaviours. With support, children check the tyre pressure, height of the seat, select a helmet and then get going. It takes a lot of practice and skill be able to scoot along at speed on he balance bikes but the benefits of this important achievement are incredible. Children also feel so proud and empowered when they achieve it.

We want our children to develop lifelong cycling habits: it is a great way to keep fit, travel around our city and it's not just good for our bodies but for the environment! 

Can you cycle? Did you know there are local cycling groups including Cycle Sisters? Have a look by clicking here. 

Happy new year! Here's to a year of good health and peace for the world. 
At Children's House we are delighted to be back and have returned to school to freezing temperatures and bright blue skies. 
We have seized the opportunity for children and staff to explore the garden and all that this weather brings with its awe and wonder. 
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Children have been supported to observe the changes and talk about them:
we noticed the frost on the ground, the plants and our climbing equipment - it looked all sparkly;
​we crushed the ice we discovered in the bowls in the forest school area - we worked together with spoons to do this;
we asked questions about our warmth breath in the freezing, cold air - it looked like smoke but it's called condensation;
we talked about keeping safe in the slippy garden (even though Darren had put grit down);
the children in the Red Building were very excited to see their squirrel visitor who comes every day - many of the children could recognise and identify that it was a squirrel.

Being out in the fresh cold air boosts our immune system and keeps us healthy.
Just make sure we all have warm coats, gloves, scarves and hats (write your child's name in them please). Also it is great if you can support your children to get their own coats on as it supports their independence and self-esteem!

Get out exploring this weekend in the local park together - wrap up warm.