I set up a new activity tray this week. Play dough and farm animal cutters! The children have been working hard to soften the play dough and warm it up in their hands. This helps them to develop their finger muscles. This sort of fun play is great for preparing those little hands for writing later on! They then practice rolling it flat. Not too flat but enough to make a good cut out! Then we used our cutters to make animals, naming them as we went, naming their babies and talking about the sounds they make and what we might get from them. Wool from a sheep, milk from a cow!
We also worked together to make a lovely Farm sensory box! "C" and "E" helped me to colour some dried rice, green. They had lots of fun stirring it and then spreading it out in then tray to dry.
Even little "R" got in on the act. She loved the feel of the cool rice between her fingers and chewed on a few farm animals for good measure!
After lunch we planted some seeds. Once they are big enough we will take them to our allotment out the back and plant them up where the bunny can't eat them!
We looked at the different seeds, talked about their shape, size and colour. Lots of mathematical thinking and sorting going on! The children all know that plants needed soil, water and light from past planting activities, they are becoming dab hands at this gardening stuff now you know!!
Looking forward to seeing hows these grow. The children love to see them popping through the soil and changing. The pumpkins are very impressive and get huge fast! We will keep you all posted!
