Home Learning

Hi Little Learners!

We use ClassDojo as a communication tool with our parents and carers 

• School Story- this will keep you updated on whole school news, letters and events.
• Class Story- this will keep you updated weekly on your child's learning, events and information.
• Child portfolios- you child will have an individual login for their portfolio to access home learning, homework, links and enable them to upload photographs or their learning at home.
• Messaging- the parent login allows you to contact your child's teacher directly. You can also directly message Lisa Walsh (Headteacher), Caroline Stanley (Deputy Headteacher), Charles Hewitt (Deputy Headteacher) and Jenny Dinning (SENDCo and Designated Safeguarding Lead). 
• 'Miss Admin' is a direct link to the office team for any questions about breakfast / after school clubs, absence etc. 
• Mrs Banks is a direct link to our Reading Leader. 

You will be sent an email invitation to download Dojo as you join our school. 

We  regularly communicate with parents on Class Dojo and provide links and activity ideas that promote children's learning and development. We love to hear from you so please contact us with any questions or concerns. Likewise, we would love to see your child's achievements which can be shared on your child's portfolio on Class Dojo or on Tapestry. 

We mainly focus on the three prime areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and have provided some activity ideas to support your child's development in these areas. 

Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSE)

• Practice sharing and taking turns through games such as rolling a ball back and forth to each other.
• Use mirrors and puppets (these can be made from old odd socks!) to recognise feelings and emotions.
• Share pictures together of your child’s achievements and talk about how they make you both feel.
• Share stories in which characters help and support each other.
• Provide a choice where possible e.g. snack time or their outfit for the day. Remember that too much choice can be overwhelming for young children. 
• Create a good morning circle time with family and teddies. Say hello to everyone and talk about your plans for the day. 
• Don't forget lots (and lots from us too!) of extra cuddles to help your children feel safe and secure during these difficult times!

Time to come in, Bear Explaining social distancing to children.

Coronavirus Support Resources Here you will find child-friendly resources in the form of a book and song etc to explain what the coronavirus is. 

Communication, Language and Literacy (C&L)

• Create a sensory bag of objects such as a sponge, small ball, hairbrush, wrapper, leaves, pinecones etc. Ask your child to put their hand in the bag and describe what they can feel. Model descriptive language such as spiky, hard, soft. Can they guess what is in the bag?
• Share stories in a cosy quiet area and encourage your child to talk about the pictures and characters. Can they identify actions such as running and jumping?
• Share your child’s favourite nursery rhymes and model the actions for them to copy.
• Bake together and talk your child through each step, e.g. “Now we’re going to add the flour.”
• Join your child in their roleplay and create familiar scenarios e.g. taking care of the babies or pretend you’re at the shop. Allow children to lead play and follow their interests.
• Use musical instruments to explore sound and how we can change it. Does it sound different when we shake it faster and slower? Instruments can be made by adding rice/pasta to boxes/plastic bottles or using pans and wooden spoons!
• Encourage your child to listen to and identify the different sounds around them on your daily walk. Can you make a list of what you could see and hear?
• Sensory play is so important for children to explore different textures and is great for developing communication and language. Some ideas of things you could use include gloop (cornflour and water), sensitive shaving foam and cooked spaghetti. You could always enhance it by adding food colouring too!

Tiny Happy People  This link contains activities to promote the development of 2-3 year olds. Your child might be starting to ask more questions, be able to form short sentences, and understand simple instructions.

Hungry Little Minds Take a look at the fun activities for 2-3 year olds

Phonics Play User name 'march20' and password 'home' for some free Phase 1 phonics activities during the closure. 

National Literacy Trust Here you will find activities to support your children's early literacy skills. 

Oxford Owl There are lots of games and activities you can do with your child to have fun together and get them developing important skills, such as speaking and listening and developing eye-hand co-ordination.

Physical Development

• Practice sitting on the toilet. Signs that your child is ready for this include them telling you when their nappy is wet, removing a wet nappy themselves, having a dry nappy for longer periods through the day, being dry at night and showing an interest in using the toilet.
• Encourage independence at meal times. Can they pour their own drink and use a spoon independently.
• Involve your child in preparing food. Can they help make their own sandwich? Children are much more likely to try new tastes and textures if they have been involved in the preparation.
• Joe Wicks has a daily PE session on Youtube every weekday at 9am that children can take part in. They also love to dance along to The Learning Station and Bounce Patrol at school.
• Make playdough - what can you create out of it? Can you roll it, press it, squash it, mould it? You could even enhance it by adding pieces of spaghetti and threading pasta pieces on them. 
• Draw with chalk outdoors on the floor and walls using small and large movements. Your child could then squirt it with water and talk about what happens to the chalk.

PE with Joe Wicks

The Learning Station  'Shake Your Sillies Out' is one of our class favourites!

Bounce Patrol We love the Superhero Song and Baby Shark!

The best way you can support your child in their learning and development is through PLAY! Let your children take you on their adventures and, most importantly, have fun together! 

Links to further activites and information:

Information For Parents And Carers During School Closure Click here for answers to common queries.

Help Children Aged 2-4 To Learn At Home During The Coronavirus Information on supporting young children to learn at home.

A Parents Guide To Promoting Early Learning And Development At Home Click here for more activity ideas to support children in their learning and development.

Young People's Trust For The Environment Home Learning Packs to support parents and carers during the school closure.

Keeping Safe Online Some important information for children accessing the internet.

Support for children and adults mental health Please remember... the most important thing is that you and your child feel happy and safe. If you're struggling with anything please get in touch on Class Dojo, we love to hear from you. Take a look at the links below for some valuable support and advice.  

Young Minds Click the link to find some useful information on supporting children through the pandemic.

NSPCC COVID-19 SUPPORT Support for damilies during the pandemic.

Every Mind Matters Useful information on protecting your mental health.

Cbeebies Relaxation and mindfulness activities for children.

The Happy Newspaper If the news is getting you down here is a link to help you focus on the positives!

Heads Together Supporting the mental health of you and your family.