Spring has sprung
Spring has sprung and sunny days have begun at First Steps. The children have been outside planting their sunflowers and vegetables as we welcome spring and the sun. Gardening offers so many fun and interesting opportunities for children, and teaches them invaluable lessons. They can learn about the different species of plants and what those plants need to help them grow. They also get to learn about the different seasons, weather and the affects they have on the plants. Gardening is a great way to encourage your little ones to accept responsibility for a certain task or project. Adopting a healthy attitude to responsibility and accountability will also help your children take pride in their accomplishments.
We have also embraced the NDNA healthy body happy me week. “Right from the Start” is the theme of this year’s Healthy Body, Happy Me week, an annual March campaign run by National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) to support children’s health and wellbeing.
The week highlights the essential building blocks for children’s development and focusses on a different area each day to ensure practitioners are equipped with the knowledge and inspiration to encourage children to flourish, be happy and fulfil their full potential. Each day will explain the theory and science behind the theme and how it contributes towards children’s development. Then there will be a range of age appropriate fun activities for both nurseries and parents to take part in with the children.
Movement Monday – physical activity not only keeps our bodies healthy but also promotes formation of grey matter in the brain which regulates our emotions and stores memories – activities include creating an obstacle course, parachute play and agility games
Talking Tuesday - communication skills are crucial to a child’s life chances –– activities include paper bag puppets, talking tub and story cubes
Wondrous Wednesday - curiosity is essential to create our future scientists, technicians, engineers, and inventors – activities include bubble play, building a sensory den and frozen rescue (objects frozen in ice)
Thrive Outside Thursday – time in the great outdoors can build on children’s independence skills, promote their gross motor skills and risk management - activities include outdoor aerobics, beach play and drawing tree
Friendship Friday - when we feel as though we belong, we have increased feelings of happiness and our overall well-being is better – activities include making a mural, team challenges and acts of kindness.