Ivor loves to play with the Dinosaurs, especially the big ones! He kept getting upset because the seedlings wanted to play but not how he was playing.
Tracie suggested that he move them to a different place so he could play quietly but leave some for the little seedlings to play with.
Ivor decided outdoors on the decking would be a good place. Tracie moved a tuff tray into an area and gave Ivor some materials to build a setting. Ivor loved this and played for hours.
This afternoon we were playing outside when Georgia screamed “theres a bee” Tracie asked the children to stand back as the bee is poorly and needs a sugary drink. She carefully picked him up with a piece of paper and took him into the kitchen.
Tracie explained to the children that the bee needed some sugar or he may die. We put some sugar and a little water onto a spoon and then we sat back and watched the bee working hard to drink the solution. After a while, the bee flew off and the Seedlings clapped.
Tracie then talked to us about bees and why they are so important for our world. The seedlings were very inquisitive and Tracie had lots of good questions to answer.
Today Alfie was grumpy with all the noise the Wanderers and Rangers were making. Tracie decided it was time to go into the garden to find a quiet place for one-to-one play. We chose to play together in the trampoline with different sensory balls.
Alfie enjoyed having a small quiet space to play and we had so much fun listening to the birds and insects flying about.
We decided to have story time on the trampoline. Afterward, Tracie got out and Alfie had a bounce about. When Alfie went back into the setting the older children had finished with noisy play and Alfie was less stressed. Nice and calm!
All the children have been working hard making crafts and signs to thank all of the Key Workers for the hard jobs they are doing to protect our families.
Poppy painted a rainbow on our front room window asking everyone to stay safe.
All the children within the setting painted wooden letters to make the front garden sign for everyone to see as they pass the house.
We have been busy making banners, cards, rainbows, paintings and stood on the front step at 8pm to clap for the NHS workers.
We have been looking on the internet for labels for our plants. We didn’t like the ones we saw so Tracie decided to make some. First she asked her brother, Jonathan to slice up a big log. Then Tracie sanded them all smooth so they wouldn’t give anyone splinters, and so she could paint on them.
Once they were ready for painting, we all sat around the table and decided which ones we needed making first.
Ivor wanted the tomato one, Martha the Cucumber, Fearne wanted Lavender, Poppy the Garlic and Tracie thought a salad bowl would be good for the raised bed that has everything we love eating as a salad.
As soon as the paint had dried Tracie took them outside and sprayed them all with varnish to protect them from rain. They all looked very good and we cant wait to make more.
These three gorgeous boys started our setting in March, they are all going to be one in April within a week of each other. We are looking forward to settling them in and lots of Birthday parties next month!
On our walk around the garden today we found lots of treasures. We picked some lovely large Lilies, Hydrangeas, Sweet Peas, Sunflowers, Lavender and Nasturtiums for a flower arrangement.
We looked at all out the fruit and vegetables that are growing in our beds and picked Cucumbers, Beans, Beetroots and Baby Cauliflowers which we will make into a vegetable soup.
Sophie and Tracie took a walk around the front garden to look for plants that have come into bloom. Sophie found some dainty snow drops and then some bright purple crocuses.
As we walked around, Sophie shouted and called over, pointing to a deep purple flower. When Tracie lifted the flower head for Sophie to see, she gasped and said “wow”. Tracie explained it was a Hellebore and said if she looks around the back garden she will find white ones too!
Sophie’s next find was this beautiful Primula, it is such a lovely colour of peach and pink. Sophie knelt down to smell them but said they didn’t smell anything which was disappointing. Sophie took this amazing picture! We are looking forward to seeing our other Primroses flower, because we planted red, white and yellow ones too.
Over the last few months we have been encouraging Niamh to participate in stretching activities, to help strengthen her legs as she is not walking yet. We have put numerous activities in place to encourage and support her to reach this milestone. The best and most enjoyable activity has been Yoga. All the children have been involved to encourage Niamh to join in and start moving around more.
Below is Niamh, she is making the shape of a mountain (for the sun to set behind) by raising her bottom up, stretching her legs and back and putting her head between her arms. This helps to strengthen her back, legs and arms.
All the children got involved and enjoyed the session so much we have introduced yoga sessions daily, before nap time to help them relax. We are looking forward to taking the session outdoors and learning lots of poses to encourage the children’s well-being.
Emma planned this year’s Chinese New Year activities, she helped the Seedlings and Wanderers make a colourful Chinese Dragon. Emma made a lovely outline of the Dragon’s head, tail and body. She then provided the children with various materials so they could choose what they wanted to decorate it with.
Everyone took turns painting the body of the Dragon. Leo and Ivor wanted to use their hands and feet. Georgia, Niamh, Luke and Fearne wanted to use paint brushes.
Once the Dragon was finished the children proudly showed it off by marching around the front garden, dancing to Chinese music. Afterwards, the children sat down to a Chinese meal and tried to use chop sticks.
Tracie's Treasures 