Spring Term

Wheels, Wings, and Other Things!

We have had a brilliant start to our Spring term in the Foundation Stage, all the children have really settled into the routines!  We give a warm welcome to the new children who have joined us in FS1, and we hope you are settling in.

During the next few months we are undoubtedly going to experience our fair share of unpleasant weather, it is most important that you remember to provide a waterproof jacket and warm clothes for your child so that they can make use of our wonderful outdoor areas.

We will be continuing to learn through topics of interest to your child.  We shall be sending a postcard home with your child which you can fill in with your child, to send in information relating to your child’s interests from which we can build our planned topics.

FS2 children will need to make sure they have their PE kits in school on a Thursday.

Please don’t hesitate to speak to us if you have any concerns, questions, or celebrations regarding your child.

At Marlfields Foundation Stage we follow the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum which is split into 7 curriculum areas: Personal, Social and Emotional Development; Communication and Language; Physical Development; Literacy; Mathematics; Understanding the World; Expressive Arts and Design.

The information below will outline some of the key skills we will be looking at during this term whilst also building on your child’s interests and experiences.

Personal, Social and Emotional Development

We will be focusing upon working as a whole group, turn taking and building friendships.  FS1 children will be working towards playing in a group, extending and elaborating play ideas, and developing children’s confidence in play, and communication. FS2 children will be working towards explaining own knowledge and understanding, and asking appropriate questions to become more independent learners.

Communication and Language

We will be working hard to improve our speaking and listening skills in both our small key worker group activities and whole class circle times.  The FS1 children will be aiming to listen to one another and participate with stories, rhymes, and songs.  The FS2 children will be aiming to develop their attention span, and responding to two part instructions through interactive games and activities.

Physical Development

We will be using a variety of opportunities and experiences to develop children’s confidence and awareness of space using our wonderful outdoor areas.  We provide opportunities for children in FS1 to try out a variety of ways to move skilfully and negotiate space successfully; developing fine motor skills to build up confidence in mark making and beginning to write their own name; and becoming more independent with self-care e.g. washing hands and going to the toilet independently.  We aim for children in FS2 to experiment with gross motor movements for example trying out different ways of moving with control in Gymnastics.   As well as fine motor movements for example, improving their pencil control to form recognisable letters and words.

Literacy

Literacy incorporates reading and writing skills in a variety of fun, exciting and sometimes messy activities!  The FS1 children will begin to explore rhyme and rhythm in words, stories and poems and becoming confident mark makers, by beginning to ascribe meaning to marks they make through mark making and name writing.  The FS2 children will be developing their reading skills; segmenting and blending sounds to read words, and attempting to write sentences in meaningful contexts.

Mathematics

In the Foundation Stage we will be practicing and using our mathematical skills in familiar contexts (e.g. role play, construction, sand, play dough etc.) to give us meaning to numbers and counting.  FS1 children will be working towards using number names accurately and spontaneously through recognising numbers in the environment.  As well as developing their colour and shape recognition.  FS2 children will be developing their number recognition and formation with numbers to 10 or higher.  The children will be participating in practical activities to develop their understanding of addition and subtraction, along with using mathematical names for 2D and 3D shapes.

Understanding the World

We will be building upon children’s interests and experiences, developing their curiosity and interest of their surroundings. The FS1 children will be developing an interest in the wider world and environment, showing care and concern for living things.  The FS2 children will be making observations of animals and plants and explaining why some things occur as well as talking about changes.

Expressive Arts and Design

This term we will positively encourage children’s creative development through a range of media experiences such as paint, clay, song, dance, music and role play experiences. We aim for the FS1 children to explore a variety of construction pieces and tools; engage in imaginative role play; and experience a variety of music and songs to respond to using feelings and movements.  We aim for the FS2 children to explore colour and what happens when they mix colour; experiment to create different textures; manipulate and use a variety of tools and techniques; explore music and songs; and play alongside other children who are engaged in the same theme through role play situations.

Foundation Stage 1:

Here are some useful links for parent guides and ideas to help your child’s learning and development at home:

First day at Nursery

Learning through play

Child development: your 3 and 4 year old

Why should children play outside?

Potty training

Nursery Rhymes

Bedtime Stories

Foundation Stage 2:

Click on the links below for learning at home:

Numberblocks

Alphablocks

Nursery Rhymes and Songs

Click on the links below for Parent Information:

 Top Tips to help your child starting school

How to talk to your child about emotions

A guide to Phonics

How children learn through play

Learning to write 

Help your child be epic at Maths