At Children's House we welcomed the Year of the Dragon. One of our lovely parents who is from China and her Taiwanese friend came to share music, craft, dance and a story with the children.
The children had been supported in understanding the celebration that millions of people all over the world take part in for Lunar New Year. They had been learning about traditions such a money wallets, the importance of the colour red and lion dances in the garden with some beautiful, traditional Chinese resources. 

When Candy came in to join us, she brought  some beautiful books: the children listened and shared them with her, finding out lots of information. The children listened to how Lunar New Year is celebrated by many people: the food, gifts and customs.
Afterwards, they handled some special resources: fabric and a beautiful lion dance costume.
Children listened to music and responded, dancing inside and throughout the garden.
Children sustained interest and worked together with their friends to take part joyfully.

We learned how to say "Gong Hei Fat Choi" which means wishing you prosperity.
The Year of the Dragon brings power, strength, good luck and wisdom which we wish for the whole world. 

What celebrations do you and your family and friends take part in? Birthdays, Eid, Anniversaries, a baby's birth, Christmas or Easter? Talk with your child about how you celebrate: do you share special food, music, wear special clothes or exchange gifts?

At Children's House Nursery School we know the importance of children exploring sensory experiences. It can have a huge impact on wellbeing, self regulation and developing language and vocabulary. 
Our children in Red Building have been exploring shaving foam this week: they have been encouraged to explore it using their hands, feel it, smell it, see what happens when they mix it. 
Children have had time to respond, alongside adults who are using language and facial expressions to encourage children to express themselves. 
Over time, children have become more confident in accessing the resource, smiling, shrieking and using some key words.
foam
soft
smooth
mix
zig zag
circle
It is also wonderful for strengthening little hands and muscle development.

Why don't you try this at home?
Maybe you could make rubbery goop using this recipe - click here!

We have been focussing on sharing traditional tales across the nursery over the past few weeks: stories such as Goldilocks and The Three Bears, The Three Little Pigs and Jack and the Beanstalk. 

Children have been supported to:
Develop listening and attention;
Explore story resources and sensory experiences linked to the tales;
Begin to use story language;
Learn new vocabulary;
Use talk to express themselves;
Use language linked to size;
Use props to retell stories;
Begin to create narratives in play;
To build collaboratively with their friends;
Use their creations imaginatively;
Tell their own stories.

Children listened to a range of stories over the week, they responded and explored props related to the stories.
They spent long periods of time building together in the garden and playing imaginatively with their creations: buses, planes, spaceships, houses...
They made and ate porridge for breakfast, snack and lunch! The cleaners worked very hard to clear up all the oats!

Do you have any favourite stories you share at home? 
Let your key worker know and remember you can borrow books from school!