During Autumn 1 we will be focusing on our topic called 'I Wonder........Who You Are?'. This topic allows us to explore our different feelings as we begin/continue our preschool journey! We will have short discussions during our mat times and set out fun and inviting activities during Rainbow Time linked to our topic (free play). We will also have many activities linked to the children’s interests e.g. dinosaurs, Peppa Pig, Barbies etc. We will link their learning and next steps using their interests.

How can you help at home……

• Please ensure that you sign up to Tapestry. We will email you a link so please look out for it! We put photos and information on Tapestry to share with you.

Our Key Texts

Owl Babies - This is a lovely story to begin the school year with as it is based on the mother owl having to leave her owl babies to look for some food. They miss their owl mummy but they soon realise that she will always come back again. We link this to parents/carers leaving whilst the children are at preschool but then coming back again later.

The Colour Monster – This a fantastic story focusing on different emotions. We follow the colour monster and his friend throughout the story to explore different colours linked to emotions. This will help to learn colour names as well as emotions. We will think about different times where we may feel happy, sad, angry, calm etc and what these emotions mean.

Elmer – We will share a range of Elmer books. Elmer is a fun character who will allow us to continue to explore colour and emotions

Dentist Trip - A book to explore going to the dentist! We will explore the importance of brushing our teeth with a range of different books and activities each term. We will begin with Peppa Pig visiting the dentist!

Our Areas of Learning 

Please find below examples of some of the activities. We also plan according to the children’s interests which is decided daily.

Communication and Language

Our activities will include:

• Introducing phase 1 phonics to develop speaking and listening skills. This will include playing listening games on a daily basis.
• Listening to and joining in with daily stories including those mentioned above as well as the children's favourites.
• Singing well known rhymes and songs on a daily basis.

Personal, Social and Emotional Development

Our activities will include:

• Focusing on developing new friendships through games and play.
• Learning and using our friends’ names and learning more about each other through our similarities and differences and likes and dislikes.
• Learning our new routines and boundaries.

Physical Development

Our activities will include:

• Exploring the school hall, playground, field and tyre park!
• Exploring a range of equipment including footballs, bats and balls, stilts, bikes and scooters.
• Using a range of tools to strengthen our fingers e.g. making owl and monster stick puppets.
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Literacy

Our activities will include:

• Exploring a wide range of mark making tools e.g. crayons, pencils, chalk, feathers, paint, sand, whiteboards pens etc.
• Listening to and joining in with daily stories, rhymes and songs.

Maths

Our activities will include:

• We will be following an Early Years maths scheme called ‘Master the Curriculum’. We will begin with fun activities to learn the colours red, blue, yellow, green and purple.
• We will then move onto matching where we will match buttons and colours, towers, shoes, number shapes, shapes and looking at pattern handprints – big and small.
• We will also look at sorting colour, size and shape.
• We will enjoy counting songs and count how many children are in a small group and showing this on our fingers.
• Our songs will include 12345 Once I Caught a Fish Alive, 5 Little Ducks and 5 Little Speckled Frogs.

Understanding the World

Our activities will include:

• Playing in the home corner to imitate everyday actions and events from our own family and cultural backgrounds.
• Exploring objects in the environment and in nature.
• Exploring torches, magnets, mirrors and remote control toys.

Expressive Arts and Design

Our activities will include:

• Exploring a wide range of creative resources including playdough, different sized paint brushes, paint dabbers, sand, felt tips, sequins, feathers, glue, tissue paper, junk modelling etc
• Creating our own owl, colour monsters and elephants!
• Listening to and joining in with fun warm up dances using our 2 large interactive whiteboards!
• Playing in the home corner with our friends to set up tea parties etc!
• Dressing up using our costumes!

Thank you for your support which is greatly appreciated.