Coronation Capers

Well what a week of Coronation fun that has been. At Children's House we know how to celebrate and we know children learn best through first hand and meaningful ways. We decided to wait until after the Coronation to have a celebration because we hoped children might have seen or heard more talk and coverage of an abstract concept and so understand it more.
It happens that there is a Coronation in the film Frozen though, so I had underestimated the children!!!!

Children helped plan the parties: 
Some children shared talk about what they had seen and what they knew about the Coronation. 
Some children shared what they knew through mark making and used their knowledge of phonics to create a floor book about the Coronation. It is filled with drawings, captured language and writing. 
Many children across the week followed recipes, listened to instructions, read the visual recipe cards, developed skills using one handed tools and worked collaboratively to make some delicious party food.
Cooking is part of our regular provision so children have a good awareness of the processes involved and hygiene. Children helped to create cucumber sandwiches, decorate biscuits and cupcakes.
During small group time and at story, children shared lots of talk with adults and began to understand that the King is called King Charles. The King lives in London like us. He lives in a palace called Buckingham Palace. 

A small group of families visited Buckingham Palace on Wednesday. They got the underground and saw the historic Changing of the Guard and heard a band of marching soldiers walking along The Mall. They didn't go into the palace but enjoyed the views from the big black and gold gates. Families, children and staff enjoyed a picnic in St James' Park and had a play in the playground together. When they came back to school, one child said "We saw the King in a white van!"

Children drew pictures, wrote words and shared talk, creating a Coronation Book which is available for everyone to share. 

On Friday children came to school for our Coronation Parties wearing red, white and blue clothes. The winds were high and it was a little cloudy - Red Building braved the garden for their morning party but most were held indoors.  Whilst children and staff enjoyed the beautiful food, the National Anthem was played in the Ground Floor and lots of party music and moves together with friends. 
The children all took a flag home (and some cucumber sarnies made it home too!) 

Do you celebrate different festivals and events in your family? Get your child to help plan and prepare with you!
Also, children love flags, can you see whether you can find the flags for the countries of the world your family are from with your child? Try this link for flags.