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Learning Through Play |
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Children of all ages are encouraged to learn through play, gain new knowledge and experiences through a broad and balanced curriculum. The following list provides information in relation to the types of activities the children become involved in, during their time at Nursery. |
Play is Active (Physical Development)
Healthy children have lots of energy. They need the opportunity to crawl, run, dance, climb and balance to help their bones and muscles develop. |
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Creative Play (Creative Development)
Most children enjoy drawing, sticking, gluing, dough, finger painting etc. The process of changing basic materials into something particularly their own, involves a great deal of learning and achievement, whilst having fun. |
Natural Materials (Knowledge & Understanding of the World)
Children enjoy playing with natural materials like sand, water, clay, leaves, pebbles etc. In handling them, children learn what such materials can do and how they react e.g. dry sand will pour, wet sand will mould. Children are able to learn and understand about the world around them, including cultural and religious festivals, which promote equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice. |
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Construction Play (Mathematical Development)
By playing with LEGO, stickle bricks, wooden blocks and other building toys, children will learn to construct creatively and learn valuable fine and gross motor skills. Jigsaws, threading and fitting toys, children learn a great deal about mathematical ideas, such as size, shapes, numbers, lengths, weights, heights and comparisons. |
Pretend Play (Personal & Social)
Children love to dress up and pretend to be someone else. They can sometimes have imaginary friends. Some of the things that help this play to develop are dressing up clothes, home corner (kitchen, dolls and prams), shop and trolleys, book corner. Children develop social skills and learn to interact, share and respect each other. They understand the concepts of personal hygiene and share meal times together. |
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Discovery (Language & Literacy)
Books and stories help to develop imagination and extend the children’s experience of the world. They bring tremendous pleasure and can expand other play activities.
Playing with musical instruments helps children to discover and create new sounds and make their own rhythms. New experiences in smell and taste can be encouraged through cooking activities or growing flowers or fresh foods such as cress. |
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