Our project for the Summer term is ‘Little Explorers!’
Each term at the Children’s House we choose a project that we can loosely base our learning on during the weeks ahead. We like the children to feel really involved with their project, and choose topics that they are interested in, and want to know more about.
This term, to increase child led learning opportunities, we will be asking the children to vote on where they would like to explore, and we will base activities on the most popular destinations!
This project can be extremely wide ranging, giving great opportunities for children to broaden their knowledge of the world, and share the experiences they have already, called cultural capital, with their friends and teachers.
Some examples of topics the children might like to explore are…..
We can explore….the Beach!
As the warmer weather approaches some of our children may visit the beach. We are so lucky to live in area close to the coastline, and this topic will allow us to look at the nature and wildlife we find there. We can incorporate sand dunes, tidal areas, rock pools and of course creatures that live in the sea itself.
Sand and water play would tie in nicely with this topic, and provide a wide range of different learning opportunities including maths and science, extending creativity and working co-operatively with others.
Sand also provides a great medium for the children to practice their mark making.
Discussions about beach safety and the role of lifeguards can be included. As can sun safety, and keeping ourselves well hydrated.
Sand castle building is always a popular activity!
We can explore….the Woods!
The nursery setting gives us brilliant opportunities to explore the local woods with the children, especially as the days turn warmer in the summer term.
Discussions about local wildlife such as the minibeasts we find there can extend the children’s learning, including looking at life cycles.
Collecting natural resources for print making allows the children to explore their creativity.
Den building is great for teaching the children to co-operate and work as a team together. It expands their vocabulary as they discuss ways to improve their build.
The woods also provide an environment where children can start to learn about managing risk, and risky play. From woodland stepping stones, fallen tree branches to traverse and even trees to climb, our children are able to develop their gross motor skills whilst extending their own physical boundaries.
We hope that teaching our children about our local nature will stimulate a love of wildlife and an interest in exploring their world.
We can explore….the Jungle!
A great contrast to our local woods are the steamy jungles we find in countries far away.
The children are always interested to learn about the types of animals and plants that can be found, and how these are different to the nature that we find in the woods where we live. The large rubbery leaves found on many jungle plants are quite different to the leaves on the fir trees, beech and oaks of the UK.
Children’s stories such as ‘5 Little Monkeys’, ‘The Tiger Who came to tea’, ‘Elmer the colourful elephant’ and ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ to name but a few, ignite our children’s imaginations and bring the jungle animals they are learning about to life.
Mask making, face painting and jungle animal role play are also extremely popular activities that tie in well with this topic.
We can explore….the Garden!
The summer term traditionally sees us exploring lots of great planting and growing opportunities with the children in the garden. Providing growing and gardening helps children to connect with the living environment, something that they don’t always have access to often enough.
Children will have the opportunity to dig, rake and plant as well as lots of lifting and carrying, pushing wheelbarrows and watering. These activities will not only help to develop their fine and gross motor skills but also offer physical activity for exercise too.
Children will be supported to take turns, share tools and resources and work as part of team to achieve a goal together.
Children who are involved in preparing the soil, growing seeds and caring for fruit and vegetables will be more motivated to find out what the food tastes like when it has been harvested.
We can incorporate our harvests into cooking/tasting activities. These develop mathematical and fine motor skills in measuring, weighing, stirring and pouring. Increasing vocabulary by discussions about what the food tastes like.
There really are no limits as to where this project may take us. We can explore close to home….. or travel the globe!
We’re excited to see where the children choose to explore over the coming weeks. The world is their oyster!
