Consistent routines and repetition provide comfort and a sense of safety for small children which is why we repeat activities, such as collecting our weekly shopping from the Old Hall. This activity is great for children’s communication and language and personal development. It really is a group effort and it is always wonderful to see how much the children help each other.

As part of this week’s topics, the children enjoyed making cards for their loved ones. Focussing more on the process rather than the product, a variety of resources were placed on the table for the children to use. Each card was different and unique for their loved ones. Lots of fun was had adding heart confetti and heart serviettes to red coloured cards.

On Tuesday the Robins thoroughly enjoyed exploring the sensory PE circuit in the Russell Hall. There was lots of great balancing and counting as they navigated their way over the bench and across the number mat. They finished with a swim across the sea on the blue padded mat! Luckily, there were no sharks so the children were able to make their way back to the start to repeat it all over again!

As a special treat, the children were given a special picnic bag for their afternoon snack. The children loved carrying their bags and they each carefully took out the contents to enjoy whilst sitting on the bench. The Robins are certainly very lucky to have such wonderful views to admire each day and we make the most of our surroundings.

Continuing with our topic, we enjoyed a brainstorming session, thinking of ways to be kind to each other. The children’s ideas were added to Aesop’s kindness tree and it was wonderful to hear such lovely suggestions. I’m very pleased that the children also thought about feeding the birds. Especially as this is such a focus in our class. Whilst on the subject of birds, the long-tailed tits have been back on our feeding station but it’s proved very tricky to get a picture as they don’t stay around too long, before flying off again! We were lucky to get some amazing photos of Cyril the Squirrel and Percy the Pigeon.

Our cooking activities consisted of bread kindness brownies with hidden gooey marshmallows, yummy cinnamon buns and Valentine cake. Mrs Tickner, Mrs Parker and Mr McCarthy were all thrilled with their cinnamon buns and I must admit, so was I…as I enjoyed one for my lunch, too!

In music with Miss Norford, we enjoyed exploring a variety of musical instruments. Each Robin chose a song card from the song box. The favourite song of the week was Five Little Men in a Flying Saucer. The most exciting part was when they whoooooooshed away at the end! The children enjoyed looking at the animals on the African drum and then we all used our hands to make loud and quiet hand movements. The snake was the quietest animal and the elephant was the noisiest.

We finished the week with our Pre-Prep Coffee Morning. I hope you all enjoyed our fun and exciting games and the Robins did such a fantastic job of listening and sorting. Well done, Team Robins!

We have certainly had a super busy first half term. There will also be some new Robins joining us when we return so there will certainly be a big nest full of wonderful Robins… not the feathery kind though.

Have a lovely half term break and our topic when we return will be Squirrels and Dreys. I am sure the children will thoroughly enjoy this topic as they love our friendly Cyril the Squirrel. Please feel free to send in something from home linked to our topic to further extend the children’s understanding. We would also welcome any empty cereal or biscuit boxes for the home corner. This encourages children to explore and recreate real life scenarios and situations.