Friday 23 June 2017

Heatwave Week

With the heatwave we have had this week my priority has been keeping the children cool and out of the direct sun but we have still managed to incorporate a variety of fun play activities!




We have been to another childminder's house to play with both water and ice cubes in her lovely shaded outdoor space. Children were fascinated by the colours, shapes and textures of the ice. They realised they had to share them out so they could all get a turn to explore. One child was determined to squeeze the ice as hard as she possibly could until it melted!



We have visited the sensory garden in Devonport Park and used the shade of the trees there to enable the children to explore. With the absence of play equipment they soon invented their own games including hide and seek through to chase.  We also introduced some bubbles that were being swept around rapidly by the wind creating much excitement for the children.



Our final morning was spent at West Hoe Park where the cloud cover provided some relief from the heat. Hear the children were all able to develop their physical skills, working together to push the roundabout and then using the climbing frames and slides as well as the large boat which was great for imaginative play.

Areas of learning covered through these activities:

PSED: children have enhanced social skills through working together to share resources, come up with games to play and push the roundabout together.
Physical Development: Numerous opportunities for running, climbing and balancing through to ball catching and kicking.
Communication: Children have listened to and followed instruction, communicated with each other and heard new language introduced through play to describe the ice.

Literacy: Children used water and paintbrushes to make marks through to looking at the signs in the play areas.
Maths: Children commented on the number and shapes of the ice cubes through to playing hopscotch in the park.
Understanding the World: Children have enjoyed being out within the community.
Expressive art and Design: Children used their imagination to invent games and used the natural resources in the park to invent games.