This week we explored real vegetables in the tuff tray with mud that was first fine and dry, then very sticky and squelchy as we added water. The children enjoyed noticing and talking about the changes that happened.

The children also took part in Dough Disco. This is a great opportunity to build fine muscle strength and develop muscle memory in the fingers and hands. Fine motor control and precision help with hand–eye coordination, which is later linked to early literacy skills. Please feel free to ask for a playdough recipe so you can make some at home and practise with your child.

The seeds and flowers that the children helped to plant are beginning to grow. We are watching carefully to see how they change. Any donations of plants or bulbs would be very appreciated to help us add to our planting and growing garden.

The children have also enjoyed looking at books and having stories read to them. Reading frequently to children and engaging them in stories, non-fiction, rhymes and poems is an important part of developing communication and language skills, as well as extending their listening and attention.

With this in mind, we are setting up a Story Sack and Nursery Rhyme Borrow Bag Library, where you will be able to borrow a bag for a week and then return it to choose another.

We would like to invite you to our next Stay and Play session on Wednesday 18th March from 8:15am.

A reminder that school will finish at 11:15am on Friday 27th March for the Easter holidays. We will reopen on Monday 13th April.

We hope you all have a relaxing weekend and, for all the special ladies, a wonderful day on Sunday.

The Pod Team