Cosy Books and Settling into Winter!

The toddlers have been loving stories recently, even more so than usual, and have started to gather in groups in the book corner and other cosy areas of the room to read together. During free play, a couple of children sat themselves down with a story, then a few more, and then a few more, until every child was sat looking at a book. In one area two children were pointing and smiling at a dragon in a story, while a few other children began swapping their books once they had finished looking at them, “Here go, I have that one now.. you take this”. On the other side of the book corner one child had a book held open to three friends and began telling them all the story of “Zog”.

One morning, a few of the toddlers were taking part in different activities inside toddler room when all of a sudden it was noticed that through the doors to the garden there were large flakes floating down from the skies. As soon as the words “ITS SNOWING!” were announced they all ran outside in excitement and wonder, looking up to the skies with big smiles. After being quickly wrapped up warm in coats, hats and gloves there was no stopping them. A couple of the children began running laps of the garden with big beaming smiles and squeals of excitement while a few others moved more slowly, watching the snowflakes fall and holding out their hands to catch them. There was lots of giggles and comments of “There’s one on my nose!” and “There’s one your head!” as they all pointed out where the snow was landing. Meanwhile, another group of toddlers were on a walk around the Imber court grounds and had a whale of a time running around on the field in the snow, catching the flakes and chasing after them. Even though the snow didn’t settle it was such a magical moment for the children that it was the main conversation for the rest of the day!

Over the last couple of weeks in the Under 2s Room, the children have been exploring the weather as the seasons begin the change. During morning play, a few children approached the table set up for modelling with recycled materials so they could make a snowman for the winter display. Various sized boxes were spread across the table with a selection of paints and painting tools. The children scanned the table, looking for their choice of paintbrush and the artwork began. Some children chose chunky paint brushes to dip and paint, and others chose sponges to spread and dab the paint. As the children decorated the boxes they said, “Bang-bang!”, as they hit the paint brush down, giggling as it made a very loud sound! Once the painting was complete, a small group of children took part in some sticking and helped bring the snowman to life by adding a hat, scarf, carrot nose and some paper buttons. The final touch was sticks for the arms that the children helped collect during a walk around the Imber Court grounds.

Whilst in the garden, the children have enjoyed exploring everything winter has had to offer like falling leaves, icy sticks and even snow. The children were getting ready to go in the garden and in the middle of getting their coats on, a call came form outside shouting, “Snow, snow!”. The children hurried to the door to have a look, eyes beaming as they saw the huge snowflakes falling from the sky. After working their way outside, the children gathered in the garden and reached their hands out trying to catch the snowflakes. They looked around at each other, seemingly excited and giggling as they did. Some of the children even attempted the word ‘Snow’, copying the older children and adults around them.