Getting ready for Nursery!

Ten top tips- getting ready to start 1.I know my own name 2.I can take myself to the toilet and flush it 3.I can wash and dry my own hands 4.I will leave my dummy at home 5.I can put my coat on and take my coat off 6. I can drink from a cup 7.I can drink with a straw 8.I can blow my own nose and then wash my hands 9.I can put my shoes on the right feet 10.I can sit and listen to a story

Maths is fun! 1.Count everything 2.Numbers are everywhere – how many can you find? 3.Playing with money – explore the coins in your purse or pocket. 4.I spy shapes 5.What’s the time? 6.Sorting and matching – anything 7.Talking maths – using mathematical words.

Language is the key Reading, rhyming, singing, talking, listening, laughing, learning, planning, reporting, persuading, joking, arguing, promising, greeting, labelling…………..

If a child can’t say it a child can’t write it!

Every day make time to Share a book together Sing some nursery rhymes together Read labels, shopping lists, road names and recipes Talk about what you are doing today, what happened yesterday and what might happen tomorrow Make marks together

Children only have one childhood. We want it to be magical

What is Forest School? “An inspirational process that offers children, young people and adults regular opportunities to achieve, develop confidence and self esteem through hands on learning experiences in a local woodland environment.” Forest school network 2002.

Forest school is a specialized approach that sits within and complements the wider context of outdoor learning. “learning outside the classroom is about raising achievement through an organized powerful approach to learning in which direct experience is of prime importance. It is not only about what we learn but importantly how and where we learn.” DFES

What makes forest school different? It is always fun The area is left as natural as possible. The children visit on a regular basis, building upon their knowledge. They negotiate and learn to abide by standards of behaviour and respect each other and the environment. The children within a regular routine initiate their own learning. sessions are planned building on the children’s interests. The children learn to understand and manage risk. The sessions are led by a qualified FS practitioner. There is a high adult to child ratio. learning can be linked to National and Foundation stage curriculum.

Research shows that Forest School leads to Increased confidence Social skills Language and communication Motivation and concentration Physical skills Knowledge and understanding New perspectives Ripple effects Murray and O’Brien

Regular outdoor use= increased physical activity, increased levels of well being and decreased stress. 1 in 4 children is now obese- Activity habits are key to weight control

Children have less access to the great outdoors……why? Cars Fear of abduction Smaller gardens TVs, electronic toys Growing intolerance of children’s play Shrinking horizons of children- Tim Gill- we need to take risks to learn consequences.

What does a forest school session look like? 1.Establishing boundaries and safety 2.Social game to build relationships, trust and collaborative play. 3.Small achievable task to scaffold or broaden the children’s experiences, build knowledge or develop new skills. 4.Reflection.

Why is physical activity so important?

Young children’s physical development is inseparable from all other aspects of development because they learn from being active and interactive.

Research tells us that movement also aids cognitive processing, which makes and strengthens neural connections, thus forming main pathways for later learning.

In the 21 st century children have fewer opportunities for physical play and movement.

Concerns around health and safety issues have resulted in their physical play opportunities being considerably diminished

Effective physical development helps children to develop confidence Children need physical experiences which will give them the confidence to move fluently and to enjoy movement for movement’s sake. High quality, fun physical activity can enhance a child’s positive self image which in turn impacts on cognitive development.

And we cannot expect our children to write before they can Run Jump Hop Skip Climb Roll Balance