This week, the children updated our “This is Me” display by creating a new self-portrait. Each child carefully observed a photograph of themselves and produced a drawing, which was then placed over last term’s portrait. This gave them the chance to compare their previous work and recognise areas of improvement. The activity supported the development of observation skills, fine motor control, and self-awareness. Many children demonstrated increased attention to detail, adding features such as facial expressions, hair, and clothing. This comparison encouraged a sense of achievement and highlighted individual progress. Our new children were particularly engaged, showing excitement at seeing their photographs and completing their first self-portrait. This provided an opportunity for them to begin exploring their own identity and contribute to the group display.
Our maths sessions continued to focus on identifying 2D shapes. The children used a feely box and made pairs to match shapes, which helped develop their sense of touch and shape recognition. We re read Jack Frost this week and celebrated the beautiful paintings inspired from the story which are displayed in our classroom. We also shared the story Secretes of Winter, using a torch to uncover hidden Winter animals within the pages. For physical development, we listened to beautiful classical pieces of music, including Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and Émile Waldteufel’s The Skater’s Waltz. Using our imagination, we pretended to shiver in winter weather, sway like trees in the wind, and glide gracefully like ice skaters. These activities encouraged expressive movement and coordination. We also explored phonological knowledge through voice play, articulation awareness, and sound imitation. Using mirrors, the children observed their mouths as they made different sounds and experimented with changing pitch in their voices. This playful approach supports early phonics and speech development.
We learned the song The North Wind Doth Blow this week (about a Robin bird) and during our outdoor session we made bird feeders to take home. We pressed apple and raisins into pine cones, covered them in lard and then rolled them in bird seeds.
On the interactive white board we used selected Winter clothing for a bear to wear.
Article 1: Everyone, under 18, has the rights of the UN Convention.
Article 2: All children have rights. No child should be treated unfairly.
Article 28: You have the right to a good quality education. You should be encouraged to go to school to the highest level you can.
