Mathematics plays a crucial role in early childhood education, laying the groundwork for future learning. In our Early Years programme, they focus on developing essential mathematical skills that go beyond simple counting. As children explore their environment, they naturally engage with numbers and mathematical concepts in meaningful ways.
The Curiosity Approach to early years education emphasises that children learn best when they are curious and motivated to explore. This philosophy holds that maths should be integrated into everyday experiences, allowing children to discover mathematical concepts through play and exploration. By creating a stimulating environment filled with open-ended resources, children are encouraged to ask questions, make connections, and develop their problem-solving skills. This approach fosters a love for maths by demonstrating its relevance in their daily lives.
Early maths involves various skills, including counting, sorting, pattern recognition, and measurement. Counting is often the first mathematical skill children encounter as they learn to recognise numbers and understand quantities. Sorting and classifying help them make sense of the world by grouping objects based on similarities and differences. Pattern recognition encourages creativity and critical thinking, while measurement introduces them to concepts of length, weight, and volume through hands-on experiences.
In our classrooms, they create a vibrant mathematical environment that fosters exploration and discovery. Children participate in interactive counting games that make learning fun and engaging, allowing them to develop a strong number sense. Storytime is another opportunity for children to encounter maths; many stories incorporate numbers and patterns, helping them identify these concepts in context and enhancing their comprehension.
Hands-on exploration is key in our approach. Children use blocks, shapes, and various materials to investigate mathematical ideas through play. This not only promotes creativity but also reinforces their understanding of maths in a practical context.
Parents can support their child's mathematical journey at home with simple yet effective activities. Counting everyday objects, such as toys or snacks, can make maths feel approachable and fun. Sorting games, where children group items by size, colour, or shape, further enhance their understanding. Creating patterns with everyday objects allows children to engage in critical thinking as they replicate or continue the sequences.
This week in Pre-Nursery, we've been enjoying the delightful story One Snowy Night, which tells the tale of a park keeper who invites various woodland animals to sleep in his bed during a snowstorm. The children have had a great time naming and counting the different animals, enhancing their counting skills and vocabulary. In addition to our storytime fun, we’re excited to share that our new outdoor kitchen has arrived! The Pre-Nursery children have been busy cooking up a storm, using their imagination to create delicious pretend meals. This new addition encourages teamwork and creativity as they explore the joys of cooking together. It's been a week filled with learning and laughter!
This week in Nursery, they enjoyed a wonderful selection of winter-themed stories, including Stickman and Ten Little Lights. These tales have introduced the children to seasonal vocabulary like "frosty", chilly" and "cozy", enhancing their play and language skills. Our classroom is now festive with a beautifully decorated Christmas tree! The children had fun making unique decorations that add a special touch. Additionally, the Nursery children are practicing their snowman song for the upcoming winter concert. They’re doing an amazing job with the words and actions, and they can’t wait for their performance. Listen for those little snowman voices at home!
This week has been filled with creativity and fun in our classroom. Reception focused on our performances, practicing the lyrics and rhythm of our song while inventing accompanying actions. The children have truly let their personalities shine during these sessions. In addition, they delved into arts and crafts, creating works that reflect the festive spirit. Their fascination with bracelet making blossomed, with children following patterns to craft their unique designs. They also continued our exploration of measurement, using cubes to measure our bodies, which sparked lots of curiosity. In Phonics, they continued to sound out words, read captions, and write CVC words. They were introduced to the tricky word "no," and the children enjoyed making their own signs, such as “no running.” They also looked at words with the sounds ‘ss’ ‘ll’ and ‘ff’. They have almost finished Phase 2 of the Letters and Sounds scheme and will be reviewing for the rest of the term.
