January 2023

Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome back. We are happy to see the children back at school and looking so refreshed and ready to learn. All of the children have new individual targets which they are working towards which were set with you at the Autumn meetings. We will be meeting with you again this term to review these and to discuss the progress that has been made.

We will be planning work that is based around the children’s interests and following the Areas of Learning in the Early Years Foundation Stage. We will be allowing the children periods of independent learning. These will specifically support children’s targets through either an activity they particularly enjoy or activities linked to a specific theme e.g. early phonics. We will be linking much of our learning to the book “The Very Lonely Firefly” by Eric Carle.

Here are the Areas of Learning for the Early Years Foundation Stage. The first 3 areas are known as the Prime Areas and set the foundation for the other 4 areas which are known as Specific Areas. Much of our work will be focused around the Prime areas. Linking the areas of learning to support our children to make senses of what they are learning.

Personal, Social and Emotional Development

We will be developing our circle times and supporting the children to make clear choices of songs they want to sing and games they want to play. We will give the children opportunities to play and work together and recognise each other from their photographs. We are encouraging the children to be as independent as possible e.g. putting their own equipment into the “finish” box.

Communication and Language

We will be encouraging any vocalisations the children make by responding to them. We will be seizing opportunities for Intensive periods of interaction during the independent learning sessions. We will be using objects of reference to support the children with routines and to let them know what is happening next.

Physical Development

Children will have the opportunity to use a variety of one-handed tools e.g. crayons and brushes. They will also be handling building blocks, small world toys and balls. This will develop and support the muscles in their hands. They will also have the opportunity to use the soft playroom and the playgrounds which will support the larger muscles in their legs and arms. If your child uses a standing frame or a walker regular opportunity will be given for this during the school day. We also have a yoga and a dance session each week with a specialist teacher.

Mathematical Development

We will be learning some number rhymes and using number names to count e.g. how many children are in school today? We will also be exploring things that are heavy and things that are light.

Literacy

We will be focusing on the book “The Very Lonely Firefly” by Eric Carle. We will also be looking at tactile books and books that make noises. We will learn that an object can represent a song. We will learn to hold a book the right way up and to turn the pages carefully.

Knowledge and Understanding of the World

We will be exploring different kinds of light. We will go on short trips around the school and the local environment to listen to sounds we can hear.

Expressive Art and Design

We will be exploring different ways of making marks. We will be learning songs and using sticks and shakers and sticks in different ways to the rhythm and in response to music. We will be offering the children many different sensory and messy activities. The adults working with your children will encourage them to touch and then explore wet, damp and dry materials such as flour, water, playdoh, paint, glue, oats, sand, soil etc. The adults will model the appropriate language as they do so and support the children to access these with increasing confidence and autonomy. The messier your child, the more they have enjoyed the activities of the day!

We are able to access the sensory room in the class and also the dedicated outside space so your children will have a change of scene and feel throughout the course of the day.

If you notice your child is enjoying something in particular please let us know and we may be able to incorporate this in class. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask.

Best Wishes

Teddy Bear Team