Blossoming Buddies

At Blossoming Buddies we plan and deliver activities so each individual child has rich learning opportunities. These activities are planned to meet each child’s needs and interests so are forever developing and adapting. Below are some examples of activities we do and the learning opportunities they offer.

Activities: Links to EYFS Learning and Development

Painting/Drawing	Drawing: –Develops Fine Motor Skills: Fine motor skills include any specialised movement of the hands, wrists, and fingers. As an adult, you rely on fine motor skills when you type, drive, or even text. It’s important for the child to develop strong fine motor skills at a young age. Holding and manipulating writing implements represents one of the best ways to improve a child’s fine motor skills. Drawing creates immediate visual feedback that changes depending on the tool the child uses and how he or she uses it. This feedback helps your child identify the best ways to produce the desired result.   –Encourages Visual Analysis: Young children do not yet understand some concepts that adults may take for granted, such as distance, size comparison, and textural differences. Drawing provides the perfect opportunity for the child to learn these concepts in a deliberate way. Having a child draw specific items, especially in relationship to each other, can help him or her perform fundamental visual analysis of everyday spaces. To support this kind of drawing prompt the child to draw examples of big and small, rough and smooth, far and near, and so on. –Helps Establish Concentration: Because most children enjoy drawing, this activity provides time to establish the concepts of concentration and practice. These concepts will be essential to the child’s academic success. Learning how to observe small details, concentrate on achieving a specific result, and practice tricky tasks helps the child mature. –Improves Hand-Eye Coordination: In addition to improving fine motor skills, drawing enables the child to draw connections between what he or she sees and what he or she does. This hand-eye coordination is important in athletic and recreational situations, as well as in academic scenarios such as penmanship lessons. For a hand-eye coordination boost, the child can draw an object while looking at it or copy a drawing. –Increases Individual Confidence: When a child has an opportunity to create physical representations of his or her imagination, thoughts, and experiences, he or she gains confidence. Drawing can help the child feel more intrinsic motivation, self-worth, and validity. This affirmation will make him or her more confident in other areas that may not come as naturally as drawing. –Teaches Creative Problem Solving: Along with visual analysis and concentration, drawing encourages the child to solve problems creatively. When he or she draws, the child must determine the best way to connect body parts, portray emotions, and depict specific textures. Providing specific drawing tasks, such as creating a family portrait, and talking about the child’s colour, method, or special choices can help him or her develop stronger problem solving skills over time. To help the child feel motivated to draw and create, positive reinforcement should be use. Painting: -Painting can help children communicate their emotions or feelings. Through the use of different colours, they can express themselves without the use of words. -Painting allows children an educational opportunity that is also fun and exciting. -Painting aids children acquire hand-eye coordination, an important skill in their age. This is developed while they learn to paint the parts that they see; making sure their hand movement is at par with their vision. -Painting aids the child develop mobility skills. Their hand muscles are being used, which allows them a scope to develop both mentally and physically. -Painting helps children acquire skills on how to focus on trivial details, painting on a canvas or a piece of paper requires varied painting skills. -Painting can be a great podium for children to progress and discover their creativity. They learn about various colour mixtures and how they go together. -Painting can help children learn sizes, shapes, patterns and designs. These are all critical aspects of their curriculum during pre-school years. -Painting helps children develop their decision-making skills. They need to plan ahead as they choose which colour should be used for different parts of the painting. -Painting can play the role of therapy for a child who might be feeling different emotions; whether these feelings are subtle or extreme in nature. In addition to communication, painting can help children feel better about things that they may have bottled up inside. Personal development– movement and space, using equipment and materials. Mathematics (Problem solving, reasoning and numeracy)-shapes space and Expressive arts and design -being creative, responding to experiences, expressing and communicating ideas. Understanding the world-designing and making.
Baking/cooking	Cooking offers children a variety of learning experiences. It’s a practical way to teach children basic life skills, as well as academic skills involving reading, science and math. Time spent together in the kitchen also encourages interaction and communication between adults and children.   Build self confidence:Cooking can boost a child’s self-confidence. By working together each child as part of a team making them feel important in their contribution, showing how the combined efforts of more than one individual can produce greater results. Cooking gives a child a sense of responsibility.   Use of imagination: by encouraging the child to use their imagination to express herself in the kitchen. This gives the child the chance to experiment and improve their problem solving skills by mixing together recipes and substitute different ingredients. Recipes that list optional ingredients are another way to experiment.   Sensory experience:Children rely on their senses to explore the world. Cooking offers children the  opportunities to use the senses of sight, hearing, smell, touch and taste. Working with food lets a child focus on their senses individually as well as collectively. Cooking teaches a child how to use his eyes, ears, nose, skin and tongue to observe the things. In addition, children can improve their fine motor skills when helping out in the kitchen.   Maths and science skills: Experimenting with recipes offers children practical, hands-on experience when it comes to making observations and predicting change. Following the steps of a recipe involves reading and sequencing skills. Math comes into play when counting and measuring ingredients.   Personal social and emotional development-behaviour and self control Communication and language and literacy -language for communication and thinking. Physical development– movement and space, using equipment and materials. Mathematics (Problem solving, reasoning and numeracy)-shapes space and measures. Expressive arts and design-being creative, responding to experiences, expressing and communicating ideas, exploring media and materials. Understanding the world-designing and making, exploration and investigation.
Reading /Writing	Reading: Reading to children does not only benefit their language development there are many other very important benefits: -Reading to a child makes you bond with them, and this gives the child a sense of intimacy and well-being.  This feeling of intimacy will not only make the child feel close to you, the feeling of being loved and getting attention also helps them to grow smart. -The intimacy of reading to children is such a pleasurable experience to them that they will have a positive attitude towards reading as they grows up. -It calms children, especially when they are fretful and restless. -It promotes increased communication between you and the child. -Preschool children who are exposed to language by hearing words that are read to them and in conversation tend to do well in school. -Many studies show that students who love learning and do well in school were exposed to reading before preschool. -Children learn early the basics of reading a book, that words represent sounds and concepts, words are read from left to write, and stories continue when you flip the page. -It promotes longer attention span, which is an important skill for children to be able to concentrate. -It builds listening skills and imagination. -Children learn about colours, shapes, numbers, and letters, while older children discovers an expanding chain of knowledge.  Their interest in cars, for example, will expand to their interest in trucks, and other transportation like planes and rockets, and soon they will be reading about outer space, science and technology, and so forth. -Books teach children thinking skills early. They learn to understand cause and effect, to exercise logic, as well as think in abstract terms. They learn the consequences of actions, and the basics of what is right and wrong. -Books teach children about relationships, situations, personalities, and what is good and what is bad in the world they live in.  Fantasy books provide material for imagination and free play.  Fairy tales fascinate children, and help them distinguish between what is real and what is not. -When a child reaches a new stage in their growth, or experiences a new and unfamiliar situation, reading to the child about a story relevant to their new experience can relieve anxiety and help them cope. For example, if a child is stressed about their first day in school, or about moving to a new location, you can read a book to him that shows that these should not be painful experiences. -Children who had been exposed to home reading show significantly greater activation of a brain area that is all about multisensory integration, integrating sound and then visual stimulation -Reading to children builds brain networks that will serve them in the long-term when they transition from verbal to reading. -Children will learn early that reading is fun and not a chore. When the child grows up reading will be a pleasurable habit. Writing: Pre-writing skills are used to encourage, develop and support opportunities for your preschool child to begin writing. Pre-writing skills involve the skills a child needs in order to learn to write. These skills include sensor motor skills which enable a child to hold and use a pencil which gives them the ability to copy, trace, draw and colour. One of the fundamentals of pre-writing skills is pattern writing. Pattern writing is specific stokes that comprise in all letters and numbers. As a child practices pattern writing through copying and tracing this will give them the confidence and ability to write letters and numbers correctly. Pre-writing tasks include but not limited to: Pattern writing  Tracing shapes and patterns Dot to Dots Colouring In Drawing Copying lines In order for the child to maintain the correct grip for holding a pencil, their fine motor skills will need to be improved and encouraged. Fine Motor refers to the development of small muscles of the body (particularly the small muscles in hands) which will enable actions like grasping small objects, clicking, correct writing grasp etc. By developing the child’s fine motor skills will enable their finger and muscles to become stronger and provide them with the ability to control the way they hold a pencil. How to develop a child’s fine motor skills include: Using scissors to cut out shapes or cut paper. Threading shoelace through sewing card holes (this can easily be made by making holes on a piece of paper, using a hole punch that your child can thread a shoelace through). Manipulating play dough/clay and using cookie cutters to make various shapes and designs. Picking up objects using tweezers. Threading beads on a string (making a bracelet or necklace). Drawing (get some blank pieces of A4 paper and make a drawing book). Painting. Sand manipulation (get some buckets and spades for your child to use in the sand). Colouring in (colouring in within the lines is a great way for your child to practice hand control). Tracing shapes, designs, letters etc. (Draw different shapes, designs and letters on a piece of paper that your child can trace over). Communication and language and Literacy -language for communisation and thinking, linking sounds and letters, reading, writing, hand writing Understanding the world-,time, place and communities. Expressive arts and design-being creative, responding to experiences, expressing and communicating ideas, exploring media and materials, developing imagination. Personal social and emotional development-self confidence and self esteem.
Arts and crafts: Modelling Salt dough Making play dough Clay Plaster of Paris Glueing Sticking Cutting out Shaking glitter	Develop fine Motor skills: Most arts and craft projects involve moving the hands and fingers. These movements involve fine motor skills and improve the overall muscle strength and control over movements. When a child colours or does a craft project, their motor skills gradually increase. Increases Dexterity: Arts and crafts increase agility in children and with practice manual dexterity will improve over time. With regular practice, the child will gain speed and as their finer skills improve their artistic skills will also increase. Improves Hand-Eye Coordination: Arts and crafts often require keen hand-eye coordination. Starting at an early age will only make it much better. The more the children practice, the better their hand-eye coordination. This will help them in almost all walks of life, including their wishes to excel in sports. Boost Self Esteem: Art and craft activities create a sense of achievement  and give a boost to their self-esteem. Teaching a child to create something tells them that they are in control. This will build immense confidence in themselves. Encourages Self Expression: Arts and crafts are a great way to allow children to express themselves. Arts and crafts can bring out the hidden feelings and emotions in introverted children. Also, all the energy can be channelled into positive endeavours and giving a sense of achievement to the children. Helps in Socialising: Interacting with other children with the same interests gives the child the opportunity to socialise and build friendships. When adults join the children in their art and craft projects, it helps in strengthening their bond. Promotes innovation and creativity: Arts and crafts provide a platform for the children to create new things. It makes them think differently and to innovate. The ability to solve problems the child encounters while taking up a project work promotes creativity making your children more resourceful and versatile. Enhances decision-making skills: Solving artistic challenges will help a child in making correct and effective decisions. The decision-making ability will improve the child’s ability to face other problems and take quick decisions. Improves Memory: Apart from learning new shapes and colours, children also learn about different patterns and figures. Some crafts require visualising complex designs and the habit of visualising and remembering complex designs will help the child in improving their memory. Crafts teach Flexibility: Most craftwork can be achieved in more than one way. This will help children in life where they are continuously face situations with multiple possibilities. Physical development– movement and space, using equipment and materials. Mathematics–shapes space and measures. Numbers for counting. Expressive arts and design–being creative, responding to experiences, expressing and communicating ideas, developing imagination and imaginative play. Understanding of the world-designing and making. Communication and Language and Literacy-language for communication and thinking, linking sounds and letters.
Board games/puzzles	Board games: Board games help children to learn vital social skills by providing an exciting environment of competition and motivation that encourages verbal expression while developing qualities like patience and determination. Concentration and memory are improved by focusing on the game, as they have to remember the rules and when it’s their turn to make a move. Board games are useful for development of critical thinking skills, the ability to focus longer and spatial awareness. Children feel motivated by playing board games, Competition encourages children to try hard as they tend to be more focused on winning. Spending time together, board games provide an opportunity for children to interact with others in a positive way. Decision making skills, games help children develop decision making skills. For example;strategy based board games require a player to make quick but effective moves, thereby enhancing their decision making skills. A player has to think critically on a very high level, rather than just making a move randomly. Decision making skills polished by board games are very important for them in the real world. Board games help children to learn how to achieve goals: Some of the key traits of playing board games are exactly the kind of things a person needs to achieve a goal. For example; they learn how to recruit allies, when to make a move and how to predict opponent’s strategies while playing the game. These things help them develop a mindset to accomplish their goals. Board games enhance problem solving approach: Problem solving skills are important in all areas of life. Board games encourage children to solve real problems in real life scenarios. Most games require the child to analyse a problem, figure out all its elements and then find a workable solution. Puzzles: Develop Eye and Hand Coordination Initially children use trial and error method to solve the puzzle and this needs lot of concentration and right coordination of eye and hand. The child will have to try and remove one or more parts of the puzzle when trying to solve the puzzle and this requires eye and hand manipulation.   Problem Solving Puzzles are in pieces that have to be joined properly. This shows a clear problem that needs to be carefully solved. Unlike others, puzzles have only one solution and so the child keeps trying till he succeeds. This is worthwhile and meaningful and so the children should be provided with many experiences.   Cognitive Skills Puzzles help develop reasoning skills and problem solving capability of the child. It also helps increase their visual special awareness and depending on the subject matter on which the puzzles are based, they happen to learn varieties of topics like vocabulary, colours, alphabet, numbers, shapes, vehicles, animals and many more.   Sorting and Classifying Puzzles have to be sorted out before solving. Some children like to sort and classify parts of the puzzles through colours while some sort them on the basis of designs.   Vocabulary Skills One of the most significant advantages of offering puzzles to children is development of vocabulary skills which remain unobserved. Each time your child completes a puzzle, he is introduced to a new word and since he has solved the puzzle, he can remember the word and its meaning for his entire life.     Improve Memory Skills Children like to repeat solving same puzzle over and over again and this makes his memory sharp. They stop and think and recall how to solve a specific puzzle and this helps sharpen their brains also.   Fine Motor Skills Solving puzzles help children develop fine motor skills which are very important in day to day life. They learn to grasp big and small pieces of puzzles and concentrate to make them fit in the space provided in order to complete the puzzle. Some puzzles even require twisting knobs to make the parts fit in or needs to be pressed to fit in the space. All these activities help the child develop strength in his fingers and use them to grasp things and hold onto them as well.    Best Learning Tool Puzzles are the best learning tools for small children. Children need to place the puzzles on exact place because they fit in only when placed properly. Kids have to place each puzzle, turn them and make sure they fit in properly before proceeding to another piece of the puzzle.   Social Skills Puzzles can be worked on cooperatively to get completed and this helps develop social skills in children.   Confidence Building Since children solve the puzzles independently, their self confidence gets boosted up.   Personal, social and emotional development-self confidence and self esteem, making relationships, behaviour and self control, sense of community. Communication and languageand Literacy-language for communisation and thinking, linking sounds and letters, reading. Mathematics-shapes space and measures, numbers for counting, calculating, Understanding of the world–exploration and investigation, time, place. Physical development– movement and space, using equipment and materials.
Dressing up/role play	Dress up/role play is beneficial to children as it is: Brain Building Dress-up engages your child’s brain and memory. Dramatic play requires kids to remember what they’ve seen or heard. They remember how their mother behaves when performing household chores when they are imitating her. Or they recall the details of a fairy tale they’ve heard before acting it out.   Vocabulary Building Dress-up play builds vocabulary as a child decides what his or her character would say. It gives them a chance to expand their vocabularies with words and phrases that they might have heard in stories but wouldn’t ordinarily use. Children may then begin to use these new words in conversations.   Problem-Solving Who’s going to be the doctor? Who’s going to be the patient? Children must make decisions when they engage in dress-up play. They practice problem-solving problems when deciding on what costumes elements and props each character needs to act out a scenario.   Empathy When a child is engaged in role-play, it helps her see the world through another’s eyes which increases empathy – whether pretending to be a parent nurturing a baby, a doctor taking care of an injured patient, or a firefighter putting out a fire. Dramatic play helps children understand the role that helpers play in in our lives.   Emotional Development Children are constantly confronted with scary situations that they don’t understand – whether witnessing an accident in real life, or seeing violent images on TV. Children process their fears through play, which helps them make sense of the world, and overcome their feelings of helplessness. By allowing children to act out their fears through dress-up and role playing, we are helping their emotional development.   Motor Skills Children develop fine motor skills by putting on dress-up clothes, whether buttoning a shirt, zipping up pants, or tying on a pirate’s bandana They use their large motor skills when engaged in role-play, whether they are jumping like a superhero, running like a baseball player, or twirling like a ballerina.   Gender Exploration When children choose costumes and characters to be, they are able to explore different gender identities and the behaviours of those characters. While boys often want to be superheroes, firemen, or pirates, and girls often want to be fairies and princesses, it is normal and healthy for children to try on different gender roles as they learn about the world. A child should never be ridiculed for pretending to be a different gender.   Imitation:Children are naturally imitative creatures. They learn about the world by imitating the lives of the adults and others around them. Through dress-up and dramatic role-play, children explore the lives of other people by imitating their actions, feelings and words.   Socialisation: Dress-up play encourages cooperation and taking turns. Children learn how to negotiate as they agree on stories and rules. They develop interest in others and learn how to give-and-take.   Imagination: Children’s imaginations are limitless and have not yet been hardened and constrained by the “realities” of the world. Rudolf Steiner, the founder of Waldorf education, believed that imaginative play in early childhood is the key to creative thinking during the adult years. When children engage in dress-up play, their imaginations are given free reign. There is no limit to who, where, or what they can be.   Personal, social, emotional development-dispositions and attitudes, self confidence and self esteem, making relationships, behaviour and self control, self care, sense of community. Communication and language and Literacy-language for communication and thinking. Understanding of the world-exploration and investigation, time, place, communities. Physical development– movement and space, using equipment and materials. Expressive arts and design -being creative, responding to experiences, expressing and communicating ideas, developing imagination and imaginative play, exploring media and materials, creating music and dance.
Garden Play – Sand and water pit	Sand: Aids in physical development When children use buckets and scoops, the effort of pouring it from one bucket to the other and lifting the sand into a toy truck develops their gross motor skills. It also strengthens their muscles. Moreover, the effort of grasping and holding the toys boosts their fine motor skills. Sand play also aids in hand-eye coordination.   Expands imagination Building a sand castle on the beach or creating bridges in the sand pit is not a mere activity but an important way to build a child’s imagination. It is a good way of challenging their creativity. Simple toys such as cars, animals and other props can encourage their creative genius furthermore. Sand is a toy and the less a toy does, the more a child will learn. There are hours of fun and learning to be explored with sand as it promotes and encourages creativity and imaginative play, sensory and language skills   Helps express emotions  Sand play is a form of psycho-analytic expressive therapy because it allows children to express their trauma and emotions without having to verbalise their thoughts. It is a valuable tool for personal and emotional development. Playing with free-flowing sand poses no restrictions, as they can do whatever they want with it. This way, children get an opportunity to communicate non-verbally. Sand play also relaxes and calms down children who are angry, disturbed or traumatised.   Promotes social interaction Since playing in the sand is mostly outdoor play, where the child may be playing alone or with other children, they get a chance to develop his social skills. Social interaction is inevitable here. The child will learn to wait their turn, share their toys and buckets, and make conversation.   Builds attention and concentration   Sand play involves touching the soft sand, feeling its texture, piling up and making buildings. This gives children an opportunity to do different things with it. Such an activity helps them focus on the task at hand and improves concentration.   Improves cognitive development Learning to write on the sand and make shapes and patterns on it teaches children important concepts of language, problem solving and aids in cognitive development. Many children may initially find it restricting to write in a book and to hold a pencil or crayon but find it easier to write and draw patterns on the sand, as a part of play.   Builds immunity   Children who go outdoors to play in the sand or grass, and with twigs are healthier than those raised in a sanitised, indoor environment. A little dirt will help a child’s immunity and make them less vulnerable to illness.   Water: Develop motor skills Water Play gives many opportunities to develop fine and gross motor skills across age ranges. Children will increase their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination through actions like pouring, squirting, scrubbing, stirring and squeezing. Water play is an amazing sensory experience introducing them to textures (slippy, slimy…) and temperatures. It will also help master the pincer grip which will enable them to hold a pencil correctly at school. Actioning the pump is a favourite of our pre-schoolers and sure helps to build these large arm muscles. Problem solving skills Water play allows children to explore a substance and make discoveries about it. Observing a branch or paper float or sink will teach them, in a very practical way, how and why things happen. But above all, it encourages them to use their imagination, develops creative thinking which plays an important role in problem-solving.   Language development Imagine the discussions you can have asking what they are doing. Imagine then, the number of new words they will learn while having fun with water and having conversations about it! Basin, Damp, Depth, Drain, Flow, Drenched, Drizzle, Sieve…   Social, emotional growth Water play releases energy, it can be both invigorating or relaxing and calming for young children. It increases their ability to concentrate on one activity when presented as a tranquil and repetitive activity (scooping, pouring and running their hands through the water). Gentle water play allows them to unwind, order their thoughts and relax. It also encourages role play and crucial social skills like cooperation and sharing. Children learn to work with one or several children, to take turns and share the space and accessories with their friends.   Science and maths Water Play builds the foundation for understanding various scientific concepts. It will introduce children to terms such as Full, Empty, Half, Less. Children measure, compare volumes and observe motion. Children can count the rocks in the basin and notice the flow change as we move them. Personal, social, emotional development– behaviour and self control, self care. Communication and language and Literacy-language for communication and thinking, writing. Mathematics-shapes space and measures, numbers for counting, calculating,. Physical development– movement and space, using equipment and materials, health and bodily awareness. Expressive arts and design-being creative, responding to experiences, expressing and communicating ideas, developing imagination and imaginative play. Understanding of the world-exploration and investigation, designing and making.
Garden Play – vegetable patch	Engages All the Senses Children learn best when engaging all their senses. With gardening, children can touch and feel the dirt, seeds and flowers, see the vibrant colours and varied sizes of the plants, hear the sound of the vegetable when it is taken from the plant and smell the amazing scents of the flowers. Allowing all the senses to be involved helps children understand and grasp the concept of gardening along with all the math and scientific concepts that go along with it.   Encourages Healthy Eating Eating healthy food is vital for brain and body development but it can be hard at times to get kids to eat those fruits and veggies. By having children grow their own string beans, carrots and lettuce, they will have a sense of pride in eating what they have “created.” This, in turn, will emphasise the importance of healthy eating. Children will soon learn to love eating strawberries, blueberries and even broccoli.   Enhances Fine Motor Development Scooping up the dirt, placing the seeds in the pots and pouring the water all take fine motor control and strength. As children garden, they develop important motor skills that will help them improve their academic skills such as writing, cutting and typing.   Introduces children to Scientific Concepts Gardening is a wonderful introduction into the world of science especially botany, biology and chemistry. When children plant their first seeds, they become curious about what will happen next. They make their own hypothesis and monitor the progress each day. Without even realising it, children are learning the basic steps of the scientific process. As children get older, they learn about the impact of sunlight and water on the growth of a plant. They learn which plants need more sunlight, which need less water and how long they take to grow.   Fosters Bonding Gardening can have a wonderful bonding effect as children and adults can work together to decide what flowers and vegetables to plant and where to plant them.   Teaches Responsibility Gardening is a great way to teach children about responsibility. Children learn that they have to take care of their seeds each day in order for them to become healthy plants. To help, we can make a checklist that children can use to make sure they care for their plant every day.   Highlights the Importance of Taking Care of the Environment When children garden they realise how important it is to take care of the Earth if they want their garden to grow and produce healthy plants. It creates the perfect opportunity to talk to children about concepts such as pollution, pesticides and recycling.   Develops Math Skills There are so many teachable math moments when gardening from measuring the soil depth to counting the seeds. You can also embed maths lessons into the gardening experience. For example, the child can measure the growth of the plant and then create a graph. Children can also measure and compare the sizes of the vegetables as well the number of petals on the flowers. Another fun lesson is to identify all the different shapes that can be found in the garden. This is a great introduction to Geometry.   Teaches Patience Gardening is often a slow process. Children have to learn to be patient when waiting for their flowers and vegetables to grow. The waiting actually makes the moment the flower or vegetable sprouts even more exciting   Enhances the Ability to Plan and Organise Involving children in the planning and organisation of a garden helps increase their planning and problem solving skills. It also enhances their organizational strategies which can be carried over to every facet of life.   Personal, social, emotional development– behaviour and self control, self care. Communication and language and Literacy-language for communication and thinking, writing. Mathematics-shapes space and measures, numbers for counting, calculating,. Physical development– movement and space, using equipment and materials, health and bodily awareness. Expressive arts and design-being creative, responding to experiences, expressing and communicating ideas, developing imagination and imaginative play. Understanding of the world-exploration and investigation, designing and making, time and place.
Garden play – garden games Hula hooping Bowls Bat and ball Catch Slides Climbing frames Obstacle course Football Bikes Scooter Wendy house	Learning Playing outside helps children to develop their learning abilities. By putting educational equipment outdoors, children are soon learning through play, which is a fun way of helping children to learn new information and skills. As well as this, outdoor learning encourages children to think of learning is an ongoing process instead of just something done in the classroom. Creativity Outdoor play is great for encouraging children’s creativity. Away from the constraints and confinement of indoor play, being outside children’s imaginations are often stimulated by the objects around them and they quickly tap into their creativity. Health There are numerous health benefits to playing outside. With more room to play in, children are often more active when outside, which helps them to build strong bones and good fitness levels, while also enabling them to burn off extra energy and calories. As well as this, being in the sunshine, even in winter, means children naturally absorb vital vitamin D, a lack of which can lead to Rickets. Social skills As outdoor spaces are usually less crowded than indoors, it is less intimidating and helps children to naturally come out of their shells and be more social. This means that children will be more willing to join in games and activities, while they will also be more likely to talk to different children and make new friends. This all encourages children to learn social skills and how to interact with other children away from adult supervision. Well-being Giving children the freedom of playing outdoor helps them to feel happier and calmer. As already stated, being outside means that children naturally get vitamin D, which is proven to help improve moods and create a positive mental attitude. The freedom outdoor play also encourages children to get rid of built up energy, particularly if they tend to be fidgety when sitting for long periods of time, this leads to them becoming calmer and ultimately helps them to be more focused when in the classroom. Independence The large space in which to play means that when outside children are often away from direct adult supervision. This helps them to learn independence when socially interacting with other children, as well as learning to play by themselves. They learn how to take turns playing games, to pick themselves up then they fall, and how to negotiate unfamiliar equipment, resulting in children learning how to be independent and self-reliant. Explore Often outdoor play equipment has a little more risk than indoor toys. Whether it is encouraging children to use slides they might be a little afraid to go down, or to try challenging play trails; outdoor play equipment can help children to learn to push their boundaries and become good at risk assessment. It also teaches them to explore new games and become confident in learning to try new things without being guided by adults. Personal, social, emotional development– behaviour and self control, self care, making relationships, dispositions and attitudes. Communication and language and Literacy-language for communication and thinking, writing. Mathematics–shapes space and measures, numbers for counting, calculating, Physical development– movement and space, using equipment and materials, health and bodily awareness. Expressive arts and design–being creative, responding to experiences, expressing and communicating ideas, developing imagination and imaginative play, creating music and dance. Understanding of the world-exploration and investigation, designing and making, time and place.
Child led – toy choice/ DVD choice/ Book choice.	When children play this way, they: -Figure out things for themselves. -Learn how to take healthy risks. -Find innovative ways to think about the world and how it works, based on their own self-led, intrinsically motivated interests. -Practice necessary skills such as overcoming obstacles, creative problem solving (on their own or with other children), communicating their feelings effectively with others, and working with those who may have difference points of view. -Experience the joy of self discovery, the thrill of being able to pursue their own creative ideas without the fear of failure that usually arises when there is one, predetermined way to be “right” or to “win”.   Personal, social, emotional development– behaviour and self control, self care, dispositions and attitudes. Communication and language and Literacy-language for communication and thinking. Mathematics -shapes space and measures, numbers for counting, calculating, Physical development– movement and space, using equipment and materials, health and bodily awareness. Expressive arts and design -being creative, responding to experiences, expressing and communicating ideas, developing imagination and imaginative play, creating music and dance. Understanding of the world–exploration and investigation, ICT.
Natural treasure hunt/Scavenger hunts E.g. yellow flower Green leave Empty snail shell   Indoor treasure hunt Read clues to children (simply for age and ability)	Exercise You’re hunting for treasure so there will be lots of walking and running involved during this activity. Going from Point A to Point B perhaps through obstacles, walking, running or sprinting.   Enables exploration and discovery While the main goal of the hunt is finding the treasure, half the fun is embracing the journey as well. Being outdoors, whether it be on the streets or in the woods, is a great activity to help become familiar with the area, allowing you to find new and interesting spots on your journey. It’s also a great activity to help with sense of direction.   Sharpens navigational skills Treasure hunting is a great way to learn to help one hone navigational techniques. With a map, hunters learn to follow directions and keep tabs on their distance travelled. Hunters are challenged to design their next move as well as recall previous paths taken, sharpening memory function.   Builds teamwork Treasure hunting promotes teamwork as the children are committed to a common goal in a relaxed atmosphere is a novel way to promote teamwork the team together as each member of a team can contribute uniquely to the hunt.   Stimulates an adrenaline rush Scavenger hunts can be a great way to interact with people and can stimulate an enjoyable adrenaline rush for any and all who partake in the fun.   Rewarding experience The joy of discovery is universal. Solving a mystery, cracking puzzles and throwing knowledge upon the unknown is a fundamental drive. Children feel exhilarated when they work through a problem and the solution is found. The mental tasks involved in problem-solving boosts confidence and self-esteem.   Stimulates the mind  A treasure hunt challenges players on an individual and a team level.  This fosters logical function and enables one to think creatively.   Teaches responsibility Treasure teaches hunters to follow directions, build listening skills, and seek and build a consensus for a plan of action. The responsibility of a treasure hunt comes with plotting a strategy and also encourages hunters to have the flexibility to change that strategy when anticipated results are not yielded during a hunt or if an unexpected obstacle sets the team back.   Relieves stress Treasure hunting can help improve the mood of anyone who participates. Since scavenger hunts are usually filled with excitement, it is not surprising to see a lot of smile from an engrossed, excited player. As a result of the common mission to find the treasure and the joy felt in being a valued member of a team, negative energies are flushed away, allowing positivity and optimism to radiate from a person   Promotes social interaction Treasure hunting encourages the child to get out of their comfort zone. Whether it’s being in an unfamiliar area or being with an unfamiliar team, they will be inspired to interact with fellow team members to ensure the team’s objective is met.   Personal, social, emotional development– behaviour and self control, self care, making relationships, dispositions and attitudes. Communication and language and Literacy–language for communication and thinking, writing, linking sounds and letters, reading, writing. Mathematics -shapes space and measures, numbers for counting, calculating, numbers as labels and for counting. Physical development– movement and space, using equipment and materials, health and bodily awareness. Expressive arts and design-being creative, responding to experiences, expressing and communicating ideas, developing imagination and imaginative play, creating music and dance
Mud Kitchen	The child learns how to grip and hold utensils and left heavy objects, this helps to develop the muscles in the hands and supports fine motor skills. Mixing and stirring boosts hand to eye coordination. The mud kitchen is also good for: -mental health, freedom to be children, exploring outdoors and PLAYING freely! -physical health- recent studies have shown we absolutely NEED to have dirt in our systems in order to develop a healthy immune system. Indeed the lack of interaction with mud is causing deficiencies and weaker immune systems in kids worldwide. -allowing curiosity, exploration and experimentation in an open-ended way -mathematical opportunities for measuring, filling and emptying and exploring capacity -endless imaginative and role play possibilities starting with a blank play space structure which isn’t too prescribed in its usage and allows kids to create in any way that suits their play -language development through descriptive words, scientific questioning and exploration, and storytelling through imaginative role play -rich and genuine messy, sensory experiences through combination of natural materials -scientific investigation as materials are combined, mixed, transferred and changed, Communication and Language Talking, listening, describing and discussing what they are doing. Answering open questions about how they are making mud pies and what they are doing. Communicating with other children through role play games. Physical Development Running, jumping and moving about in an outdoor area. Filling up, carrying and using water cans and kitchen utensils. Health and self-care – discussing the importance of washing hands after playing outdoors. PSED Developing self-confidence by creating their own games and ideas for play. Developing relationships with other children through playing games and role play.  Literacy Writing recipes for mud pies and writing on menus for a mud kitchen cafe. Letter writing in mud or sand with sticks. Maths Measuring water and other materials for mud pies. Using money in a mud pie cafe. Understanding the world Exploring the properties, colours and textures of mud and discovering how the ingredients affect properties. Experiencing and discussing nature.  Art and design Mud paintings and outdoor art.
Music and dance	Communication and language Listening and attention:Using our pedagogical approach to learning, children will engage in role-play to music and create dialogue according to the situation.  Listening to a story activates parts in a child’s brain that allows them to turn the story into their own ideas and experience thanks to a process called Neural Coupling.  Creating movement to the story will support memory development and make it easier to remember with accuracy. Music, dance and drama give children the opportunity to share and enjoy a wide range of rhymes, music, songs, poetry and stories.   They also link language with physical movement in action songs, rhymes, role play and practical experiences.  When using books/poetry try to create physical movements to support this story, thus becoming a physical memory, either from a chant or specific movements for a phrase. Understanding:Children will follow instructions on the session, involving several ideas or actions. They will gain good listening skills, concentration and enhance memory skills Provide opportunities to extend each child’s learning through music and movement and offer ‘open ended’ situations for them to answer ‘how’ and ‘why’ questions about their experiences and in response to the stories or events.  Anticipating key events in movement or music or dance will help to support sequencing, phrasing, patterns and rhythm.                                                    Speaking:Children will express themselves effectively through songs, rhymes, and role-play, showing awareness of listeners’ needs.  Play confidence-building games to support children in their development and speech, moving from mime to spoken word.  Sequencing will assist in understanding time; past, present and future.  Using props and role play children develop their own narratives and explanations by connecting ideas or events. There should be opportunities for children to react, talk, imagine and respond to music, movement and sound. Physical development: Moving and handling:Children will show good control and co-ordination in large and small movements supporting fine and gross motor skills.  Build a foundation of basic movements; galloping, skipping, jumping, catching, crawling, rolling and hopping while safely negotiating space.  Incorporate stimuli, scarves, claves, balls to support and strengthen hand/arm control, always use both hands when using equipment, as young children are generally ambidextrous. Children are generally more active when outdoors as they are able to take part in more vigorous play eg, cycling, running, swinging, and climbing.   They also have more room and freedom to explore and develop their physical boundaries. Make time for some structured play as it is ‘inclusive’. Provide a multitude of stimuli, apparatus and space to ensure the children can explore their physical potential. Children can explore the use of props, and develop co-ordination, control, manipulation and movement.  Gripping equipment, playing of percussion instruments and action songs build control of all the 60+ combined muscles in the hand. Children will learn to use movement imaginatively, responding to stimuli, including music and performing basic skills.   They will create and perform dances using simple patterns. Health and self-care: Music + movement use high energy, cardio syllabus, to engage and stimulate children.   Recognising heart rhythms before and after exercise will help children to understand the necessity for warm –ups and relaxation. They will know the importance of good health, physical exercise, and a healthy diet.  Play ‘Fine Dining’ games to encourage discussions on healthy eating. Personal, social and emotional development: Self-confidence and self-awareness:Children will become absorbed in music and role-play and develop a new confidence in their abilities. They will develop good posture, strength and balance.  They will be confident to try new activities and will make preference over some activities. Ensure a wide choice of movement based equipment is available for play. Children will build emotional bonds with peers and carers.  Through this interaction they will develop language and communication skills. Create opportunities for children to speak in familiar groups and talk about their ideas. Opportunities will arise for children to react, talk, imagine and respond to music.   Doing this they will gain knowledge of the world, be creative and imaginative, and develop their personal and social skills.  Try playing classical music when painting – the results can be incredible! Managing feelings and behaviour:Physical development builds positive attitudes, enthusiasm, motivation and confidence and children will gain self-esteem. Using Mirror Mime, will support emotional development and provide an understanding of emotions. Developing stories through movement provides the rich experience of emotional understanding as the children take the role of certain characters. Eg Rainbow Fish. Through emotional development children will learn tolerance and sensitivity. Children can adjust and change their behaviour to different situations, and take changes of routine in their stride.  They will be able to represent their own ideas, thoughts and feelings through music and dance.  Providing opportunities to evaluate responses and reactions will enable children to develop ‘empathy’. Making relationships:During activities children can play co-operatively, taking turns with others. Simple songs involving leaders, eg In and out the Dusty Bluebells, support taking turns, building relationships and sharing.  They can take account of one another’s ideas about how to organise their activity.  Playing circle time activities will enable the group to show sensitivity to others’ needs and feelings thus forming positive relationships with other children.   This gives children the opportunity to develop self-confidence, respect for others, group interaction and social skills. Literacy    Reading:Becoming familiar with stories will assist in literacy development.  Evaluating performance and participation after activities enables children to openly discuss their views and encourage vocabulary.   The use of tracking activities will strengthen eye muscles required for reading. Creating narratives when working alongside books as an outreach activity will build confidence, vocabulary and sentence structures. Writing:Using specific equipment, play dough, scarves, parachute, percussion instruments etc, children will strengthen their manipulative skills required for writing.  Arm/hand movements in dance will build a foundation for creating key movements used in letter structuring and build gross motor skills: 1. The upper body must be strong enough to hold the body in an upright standing or sitting position. 2. The shoulders muscles must be strong enough to control the weight of the arm, and flexible enough to rotate freely to position the arm for writing. 3. The upper arm holds the weight of the lower arm and hand, delivering the hand to the page. 4. The lower arm provides a sturdy fulcrum on which the wrist 5. The wrist holds the hand steady and rotates to the appropriate position. 6. The fingers fold around the pencil which is held in place by the thumb. 7. Together, all five fingers do a precision dance on the page: a. placing the pencil at the exact angle to meet the page, b. pressing down and maintaining the right amount of pressure to leave the imprint, and c. coordinating the tiny up, down, left, and right movements across the page.   Mathematics Numbers:Music + movement develops mathematical understanding through stories, counting songs, games and dance patterns/choreography.  Children will have the opportunity to experiment with numbers, patterns, and spatial awareness.   Using numbers in rhythm will build music understanding and number ordering. When using balls on a parachute, children can predict numbers and count less or more.   Introduce ‘What’s the time Mr Wolf?’ to assist with number ordering and playing chase games increases cardio resistance, strengthening heart and lungs. Shape, space and measures:Spatial markers can be used to encourage spatial awareness, as children are yet to discover the capacity of space. Create opportunities to discuss size, weight, capacity, position, distance, time with equipment used in dance.  For example catching scarves/balls comparison.  Using different sized similar object to compare and contrast size. Balance is key in boosting core strength, co-ordination and control. Creating ‘home-made’ instruments will require levels of mathematical understanding of size, weight and shape.  Using spatial awareness to engage in the journeys they take when moving and making precise pathways will boost critical thinking. Understanding the world People and communities:Role-play is an important context in which children expand their knowledge and understanding of the world. Through their play, they can express themselves with confidence and find out what it may be like to be in someone else’s shoes.  In the early years dramatic play is closely connected to everyday lives. Children will talk and act out  past and present events in their own lives and in the lives of family members. They will know that other children don’t always enjoy the same things, and are sensitive to this. World Dance/movement and music is a great way to understand different cultures and beliefs and provides a multitude of open ended possibilities and an openness and curiosity for other countries.  During activities children can respond by using many senses, and use resources from a variety of cultures to stimulate different ways of thinking. Using blindfolds for Heuristic Play brings an awareness of our senses. The world:Children will understand similarities and differences in relation to places, objects, materials and living things through dance and movement.  Becoming an animal, tree, or a seed will create an understanding and observation of animals and plants and children will be able to explain why some things occur, and talk about those changes. Role play is closely connected to children’s everyday lives and features much of their own immediate environment, opportunities should arise in how environments might vary from one another.  Use natural resources; tree stumps, twigs, stones and pine cones to represent changing environments.   Use tunnels to explore restricted space and strengthen arm and leg muscles. Technology:Children recognise that a range of technology is used in places such as homes and schools.  Providing the opportunity to film/record their dance/movement and replaying the footage, will give the children a huge sense of pride and self-confidence.  They will also be able to offer critique and evaluation and look to enhance their movements. Try scheduling a ‘show’ create a dance with the children, record the work and view it, you may wish to include some healthy popcorn! Simple ICT music composition sites like “Finger Drums” will enable children to compose music, perform and evaluate their experience.  Through the use of musical instruments, both professional and homemade, our syllabus gives the opportunity for exploration, observation, prediction, discussion and stimulate children’s interest and curiosity. Expressive arts and design Exploring and using media and materials:Our syllabus develops children’s imaginations which is crucial in creative development. Using everyday objects to explore movement provides open ended situations for development; eg Bubble Wrap may be a secret pathway, be careful not to pop the bubbles as you’ll wake the dragon! Children can represent their own ideas, thoughts and feelings through design and technology, art, music, dance, role-play and stories. Children sing songs, make music and dance, and experiment with ways of changing them. Provide bubble mixture for the children to use – resulting in reaching, catching, popping, predicting direction, size and space.  Making up rhymes and changing ending to songs will boost creative development and social and emotional development. Being imaginative:This area of learning includes art, music, dance, role-play and imaginative play. Music + movement provides a stimulating environment which nurtures creativity and where originality and expressiveness are valued.  Children will safely use and explore a variety of materials, tools and techniques, experimenting with colour, design, texture, form and function.  Make some everyday objects available for ‘Role-Play’ area rather than ‘structured’ dressing up clothes; rolling pins, table cloth, hair rollers, camouflage net etc. Children will explore the use of props, role play and a wide range of music and discover their ability to ‘play’. Providing opportunities for exploration is important for development – Pass the Handbag is an excellent confidence building game. Vary the contents, props, instruments, cooking items, food etc
Yoga and meditation	Personal, social, emotional development– behaviour and self control, self care, making relationships, dispositions and attitudes. Communication and language and Literacy-language for communication and thinking, writing. Mathematics–shapes space and measures, numbers for counting, calculating, Physical development– movement and space, using equipment and materials, health and bodily awareness. Expressive arts and design–being creative, responding to experiences, expressing and communicating ideas, developing imagination and imaginative play, creating music and dance. Understanding of the world-exploration and investigation, designing and making, time and place.   Yoga: Builds physical strength by encouraging children to: -use muscles in new ways -Children learn how to manipulate their bodies -maximise their mobility -Develops co-ordination -Promotes body awareness -Improves internal health. -Each posture not only builds muscular strength but also massages internal organs -Yoga is non competitive. Yoga is one of the few non-competitive activities children can participate in -Improves balance -Familiarises younger children with concepts of right and left. -Helps build self-esteem and confidence -Increases concentration and focus -Listening skills and the ability to focus the mind -improves concentration and study skills -Is calming and reduces stress -Leads to better health and vitality -Encourages children’s imagination and creativity.   Meditation: -Enhanced focus: Meditation teaches children that it is possible to direct their attention at one thing at a time, and that it actually feels great not to be distracted. -Fostering compassion and self-esteem: meditation can bolster children’s feelings of security, empathy and inner stability, and this, in turn, builds compassion, joy and self-esteem. Meditation teaches children that right now is enough. -Boosting confidence: Mindfulness for children helps them to gain self-awareness and become more confident. The confidence develops naturally when children learn from their meditation practice that they do not have to react to all of their thoughts and emotions – they can choose which ones merit their attention and response. Confident children are better equipped to deal with unfamiliar situations. It is due this ability to adapt that the children can then become better problem solvers and develop a deeper appreciation of life. -Building empathy and happiness: Children’s meditation helps them learn how to share their love with other children. They become more patient and understanding, listen more readily to others and empathize with them.
Celebrating festivals and cultures	Celebrating festivals and cultures enables the children to have rich, meaningful experiences and learn purposefully. This gives the children an ideal opportunity to find out about the similarities and differences between cultures and communities. By celebrating every counties celebrations children will not only understand British Values but just as importantly other Countries Values.   Personal, social, emotional development– behaviour and self control, self care, making relationships, dispositions and attitudes. Communication and language and Literacy-language for communication and thinking, writing. Mathematics–shapes space and measures, numbers for counting, calculating, Physical development– movement and space, using equipment and materials, health and bodily awareness. Expressive arts and design–being creative, responding to experiences, expressing and communicating ideas, developing imagination and imaginative play, creating music and dance. Understanding of the world-exploration and investigation, designing and making, time and place.
Small world play	-When children immerse themselves in small world play, they act out roles and scenarios, many of which they have experienced first hand.   -These activities also provide opportunities for children to ‘imitate everyday actions and events from own family and cultural background’ Children gain a great sense of who they are and where they belong in the world through this type of play, and if given the opportunity, can discover and relate to a variety of real life situations.   –Small world play can be purposefully set-up by an adult so that it reflects a variety of cultures and diverse communities. This provides children with the opportunity to experience the similarities and differences between themselves and others and this strongly supports the Early Learning Goal taken from the Early Years Foundation Stage.   -Giving children the opportunity to act out experiences through small world play supports the development of their personal, social and emotional skills.   –It acts as a catalyst for children to explore their innermost thoughts and feelings. For a child who may struggle to articulate how they are feeling to an adult, they may find it easier to use a person or animal figure, for example, to convey these emotions in a role-play situation. -It is important that there is an adult available to support the play and build on the child’s understanding of expressing thoughts and feelings.   –Sharing, turn-taking and negotiation are just some of the skills exercised and developed during small world play and adults should support this well.   – When children take on and act out another role, it supports their language development, confidence building and self-esteem.   Providing natural resources -arouses children’s awareness of the features of the natural environment which they live in – provoking interest and discussion. -encourages children to bring all of their senses into play. -Observe objects closely and identify their similarities and differences by smelling, touching and perhaps even tasting (for the ones who may still explore objects with their mouths). -Natural materials present opportunities for sorting, classifying and encourage the use of descriptive language – all important mathematical and language skills for young children. -Providing an interesting and ever-changing environment for children to explore is an ideal way to develop their curiosity, creative thinking and provides opportunities for them to ask questions. -Lets them talk about the things they have discovered. -When the adult poses purposeful open-ended questions to the child, this promotes conversation and sustained-shared thinking.   Personal, social, emotional development– behaviour and self control, self care, making relationships, dispositions and attitudes. Communication and language and Literacy-language for communication and thinking, writing. Mathematics–shapes space and measures, numbers for counting, calculating, Physical development– movement and space, using equipment and materials, health and bodily awareness. Expressive arts and design–being creative, responding to experiences, expressing and communicating ideas, developing imagination and imaginative play, creating music and dance. Understanding of the world-exploration and investigation, designing and making, time and place.
Messy Play	It Fosters Curiosity, Imagination and Exploration There is no right way to carry out messy play, it is all about letting children explore and experiment with different objects and raw materials without any end goals to restrict them. For example, although toys can be fun, such as a toy car, children are restricted in the ways that they can use them. With raw materials such as sand, water, chalk, paint, play dough or paste, children’s imaginations can run wild and they can spend a long time exploring these, making their own discoveries, stimulating their curiosity and developing their knowledge.   With messy play, the sensory experience also helps children to understand their senses. By exploring how things feel, smell and taste, this type of play nurtures an awareness and understanding of the world that surrounds them.   It Encourages Communication and Language Development Messy play is a sociable activity, whether with family or other children, so naturally, it will enrich relationships through social interaction. As young children can’t explain things verbally, it allows them to share their discoveries in different ways through the use of objects and gestures and in order to do this, they need to think through their actions so they can communicate this explanation which also helps develop their cognition. Depending on what you make the messy play activity it can also used to develop language skills and encourage speech. For example, using letters in the activity helps develop an understanding of the written language, by describing sensations and textures to your children you can help them build their vocabulary, and by talking through what you’re doing and asking open-ended questions such as “I wonder what happens when I do this?” you are providing speaking and listening opportunities and encouraging thinking skills.   It Practices Good Concentration and Nurtures Future Skills High concentration levels are needed while engaging in messy play, from exploring objects and engaging all of their senses to thinking through their discoveries and trying to communicate them. This helps children to develop essential learning skills which then enables them to focus and concentrate when learning and practicing practical skills. Children making marks in the sand can hel to develop an early form of writing.   It Promotes Physical Development Hands-on play also offers many physical benefits, allowing  children to develop an awareness of their body and personal space whilst strengthening their muscle control. Activities such as pouring, shovelling or drawing in the sand help build strength in the large muscle groups at the top of the arms and it is these muscles that then enable the smaller muscles in the hands and fingers to make precise and controlled movements. In messy play, children can play with tools to develop and practice their fine motor skills as well as their hand-eye coordination, until soon they can hold a pen or eat with a fork   It Supports the Ability to Play Independently Teaches children that they can make their own entertainment. In an unrestricted play environment where there is no right or wrong way to do things, this is the perfect situation to allow the child to play how they want to. By using their own mind to plan, explore and problem-solve, they are building a self-confidence and self-esteem that will develop them as independent people.   Personal, social, emotional development– behaviour and self control, self care, making relationships, dispositions and attitudes. Communication and language and Literacy-language for communication and thinking, writing. Mathematics–shapes space and measures, numbers for counting, calculating, Physical development– movement and space, using equipment and materials, health and bodily awareness. Expressive arts and design–being creative, responding to experiences, expressing and communicating ideas, developing imagination and imaginative play, creating music and dance. Understanding of the world-exploration and investigation, designing and making, time and place.
Songs and rhymes	Children learn new wordsDevelop their non-verbal communications skillsLearn early maths skillsChildren understand how words are formedEnables children to copy actionsIt boasts children language communication and literacy skillsHelps develop children’s social, skillsChildren learn about different beats and rhythmsProvides the opportunity for children to value language and become confident learners.Creates a close relationship between adult and child   Action songs/rhymes: Strengthens memory and recall. Children’s action songs offer rich learning experiences that have children memorising information in a variety of ways.  Children’s action songs have children learning musically, verbally, visually, and physically – all at the same time.  The combination of all of these learning styles, found in children’s action songs, strengthens memorization of information and the ability to recall what has been learned.  Develop fine and gross motor skills. Children’s action songs featuring finger plays, upper body and lower body movement provide physical benefits.  These movements encourage children to use their fingers, hands, and bodies for movements.  The controlled actions found in these types of children’s songs help to support body movements and mind and body movement control.   Children’s action songs enhance hand-eye coordination.   Supports listening and necessitates following directions. Children will focus and pay attention to adults who are teaching and presenting children’s action songs. Action songs require children to listen and follow directions in order to sing, move, take turns, develop new ideas, or perform other actions in a song.    Children’s action songs increase language skills, vocabulary, and word understanding. All children’s action songs require that children use their word understanding, learn new words and ideas, and at times manipulate words and rhymes.  Children’s action songs are a fun musical way to teach and reinforce language, vocabulary and the understanding of words.   Support reading readiness Children’s action songs help to develop a strong understanding of the letters of the alphabet, phonemic awareness, vocabulary, and the meanings of words. This recognition, understanding and increased knowledge of letters and words improves their readiness of all children.     Reinforce the learning of core educational concepts Combining actions and songs to teach educational concepts (ABCs, numbers, colours, rhymes, animals, and vocabulary) is one of the most powerful ways for children to learn.   Cultivate an appreciation for music  Children love using their voices, bodies, and imagination as they sing-along, move-along, and creatively adapt songs. This engagement in music is laying the foundations for an enjoyment and appreciation for music in all its forms.   Children’s action songs foster self-esteem and self-confidence Children can successfully sing-along, move-along and creatively adapt most of the action songs. Their successes at mastering age appropriate yet challenging, both physical and verbally, help foster personal self-esteem and a confidence in their personal abilities.   Encourage creativity, adaptability, and imagination.  Play-Along Songs encourages all parents, teachers, early childhood professionals, and caregivers to learn to playfully adapt children’s action songs. All of this creative manipulation of action songs by children helps lay the foundation for children to use their creative imagination in other areas of life and education.   Promote social skills and cooperation. When special time is set up for teaching, learning, creatively adapting, and performing children’s action songs, children learn many different social skills.  They learn to be quiet, listen, follow directions, take turns, cooperate, stop, sit, and much more   Engage children and adults in bonding activities. Children love to interact with the adults around them.  Children’s action songs allows adults and children to play, sing, be silly, be creative, and just enjoy each other’s company in a fun and endearing way that fosters and strengthens bonding.     Personal, social, emotional development– behaviour and self control, self care, making relationships, dispositions and attitudes. Communication and language and Literacy-language for communication and thinking, writing. Mathematics–shapes space and measures, numbers for counting, calculating, Physical development– movement and space, using equipment and materials, health and bodily awareness. Expressive arts and design–being creative, responding to experiences, expressing and communicating ideas, developing imagination and imaginative play, creating music and dance. Understanding of the world-exploration and investigation, designing and making, time and place.
Group games- For example: What the time mister wolf Duck, Duck, Goose Simon Says Musical Chairs	Regular active participation in group activities will help children: Fell less stressed Feel better about themselves Improve concentration levels Increase energy levels Maintain a healthy weight Build and keep healthy heart, bones, muscles and joints Decrease the risk of developing health related problems/illnesses as they grow older Sleep better a night How to build and maintain friendships as they grow older   Personal, social, emotional development– behaviour and self control, self care, making relationships, dispositions and attitudes. Communication and language and Literacy-language for communication and thinking, writing. Mathematics–shapes space and measures, numbers for counting, calculating, Physical development– movement and space, using equipment and materials, health and bodily awareness. Expressive arts and design–being creative, responding to experiences, expressing and communicating ideas, developing imagination and imaginative play, creating music and dance. Understanding of the world-exploration and investigation, designing and making, time and place.