Summer Term

I wonder what is out of this world…

We hope that you have had a fun filled and enjoyable Easter break.  We intend to continue to build your child’s learning opportunities and experiences during this final term of the year, while preparing your child for their transition, whether it is from FS2 into Year 1 or FS1 into FS2.

During the next few months we are undoubtedly going to continue to experience unpredictable 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.  In the hopeful event of sunny weather, please ensure your child comes with a sunhat and you have applied sun cream.

We will be continuing to learn through topics of interest to your child.  We shall be sending out a postcard, 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 only (Reception) will need to make sure they have their named PE kits in school on their peg, ready for our PE lessons.

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

The information below outlines the key skills we will be looking at during this term.  Our topic of “I wonder what it out of this world” is going to begin based around the Kings Coronation!

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 in preparation for the transition into Year 1.

Communication and Language

We will be working hard to improve our speaking and listening skills in both our small group activities and whole class circle times.  The FS 1 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 ability to discuss stories, thinking about ‘why’ and ‘how’ ideas and events happen.

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 independently.  We aim for children in FS2 to experiment with gross motor movements for example trying out different ways of moving with control in Games.   As well as fine motor movements for example, improving their handwriting style, accuracy and fluency.

Literacy

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

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, counting and problem solving.  FS1 children will be working towards using number names accurately and working on number formation.  FS2 children will be participating in practical activities to develop their understanding of mechanics and language related to addition and subtraction, beginning to solve problems using their own mathematical knowledge and understanding.  They will begin to use everyday language to talk about size, weight, capacity, position, distance, time, and money for comparisons.

Understanding of the World

We will be building upon children’s interests and experiences, developing their curiosity and interest in the outdoor environment.  The FS1 children will use all of their senses in hands-on exploration of natural materials.  Talking about what they see, using a wide vocabulary.  To know that there are different countries in the world and talk about the differences they have experienced or seen in photos.  The FS2 children will be exploring the natural world around them, making observations and drawing pictures of animals and plants.  Knowing some similarities and differences between the natural world around them and contrasting environments, drawing on their experiences and what they have read in class.  Explaining some similarities and differences between life in this country and life in other countries.

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 music and songs and how they can be changed.  FS2 children will sing songs, make music, and dance, and experiment with ways of changing them, creating their own ideas. They safely use and explore a variety of materials, tools and techniques, experimenting with colour, design, texture, form and function.

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

Foundation Stage 1:

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