A Whirlwind of Fun Between Christmas and Lunar New Year!

               

It's been an exciting time here in Frog class.  We've all settled back in wonderfully after the Christmas break, and now we're eagerly gearing up for the vibrant celebrations of Lunar New Year.

It's been wonderful to see our little learners return to school after the holidays! We've noticed a real boost in their confidence, and they've been so excited to share their holiday adventures with their friends. Thank you so much for sharing photographs of your child's holiday experiences. To keep things organized, I delete photographs from the shared album after they've been discussed in class. No need to worry about re-adding them if you think they might be missing – we've already enjoyed seeing and hearing all about them! The children have been so eager to tell their friends and teachers all about their experiences, which has really helped them reconnect. These conversations are amazing for their communication skills, allowing them to express themselves clearly and continue to build strong friendships with the class.

As we dive into the spirit of the Lunar New Year, the classroom has come alive with vibrant colours and exciting activities! Crafting snakes from paper plates, moving to the rhythm of traditional music, and exploring the art of Chinese dance are just a few of the ways we're celebrating. These hands-on experiences encourage our preschoolers to express themselves creatively and physically, while also helping them understand and appreciate the culture around them.

On Thursday, the 23rd, we'll have our Lunar New Year dress-up day! To make it even more special, we'll be heading over to Bradbury School next door to watch their students perform a lively lion dance. We understand that some children might feel a little nervous or excited about the lion dance. To help them prepare, I've shared this photo album from our class last year experiencing the lion dance. Looking at the photos might help them understand what to expect and feel more comfortable on the day.  Friday, January 24th is our Dress Casual Day, they can choose to wear their LNY outfits again or just some casual clothes - please no superheroes/dinosaurs / Elsa's etc....😜

Over the past couple of weeks, we've been busy consolidating our number learning from last term through many fun activities. Perhaps you could try some of these ideas at home to support their learning.  Rolling and Counting: We've been having a blast rolling dice and counting the dots. We've even been using different coloured dice to make it even more fun  Counting Counters: We've been counting out colourful counters and matching them to the correct number. Abacus Adventures: We've been exploring the abacus, sliding the beads up and down and counting how many beads are on each row. Mark-Making Magic: We've been practising our mark-making skills by drawing numbers and creating number patterns. Subitising Superstars: We're becoming subitising superstars! We're learning to quickly recognise the number of objects in a small group without counting them one by one. 

Dice are a great way to learn basic math skills like counting, addition, and subtraction. They also help with hand-eye coordination and problem-solving skills. So grab some dice and have fun!
                       


We have recently begun practising our bike and scooter skills in the playground, and I've observed an impressive array of abilities among the children, from wobbly beginners to confident riders. While the kids are wearing helmets for safety, there have been a few bumps and falls along the way.


Encouraging their resilience after a tumble is crucial, as it encourages them to get back on their bikes or scooters quickly after being checked over. It's great to see how they support one another, motivating each other to try again and improve. This experience not only builds their physical skills but also helps them develop a positive attitude towards challenges.


Please keep sending in your empty boxes next week! The children are having a wonderfully imaginative time at the Creations Station. I’ve been thrilled to observe how they connect their ideas and revisit their creations the next day, adding new elements and enhancing their projects



 It's wonderful to see them present their creations to the class, share ideas, inspire one another, and bring their visions to life. 

One final highlight from our classroom is our incredible tomato plant. The children were absolutely amazed to witness how much it had grown over the Christmas break. They couldn’t believe their eyes when they returned to find it flourishing! Now, there’s an air of anticipation as they eagerly wait for the tomatoes!! 

We need a bigger pot!


As we approach the Lunar New Year, I want to extend my warmest wishes to you and your families. May this special time be filled with joy and love. I know some of you are already travelling next week.

Lastly, a gentle reminder to keep any sick children at home please. Rattly coughs, slight fevers, tummy upsets, please be mindful that germs spread quickly in schools and especially coming up to a special holiday time we want to keep everyone healthy and happy. 


Happy Lunar New Year!


 
I will be updating these albums with this week's photographs too so we can start a new album after the CNY break




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