Cashmore Early Years Centre children enjoyed festive learning experiences during Term 2, exploring stories, songs and creative activities across all groups.
Books and Stories
Children across all groups explored festive books during Term 2. Tigers and Zebras Groups read “The Gruffalo’s Child,” continuing their engagement with Julia Donaldson’s wonderful characters and developing prediction and comprehension skills. They also explored a variety of festive books, including “The Christmas Show” and “The First Christmas,” discovering the festive season through different stories and learning about traditions and celebrations.
Hippo and Giraffe Groups enjoyed “Five Little Reindeer,” learning to count whilst discovering key vocabulary and pressing the squishy reindeer, which brought the story to life through touch. They also read “Dear Santa” by Rod Campbell, taking turns to open the flaps and following the repeated pattern nature of the story, which helps children anticipate what comes next and build comprehension skills.
Festive Songs
All groups learned festive songs including “Incy Wincy Spider Climbed Up the Christmas Tree,” “Twinkle Twinkle Christmas Star,” “Father Christmas” and “I’m A Little Snowman.” Tigers and Zebras Groups also learned “Jingle Bells” and “When Santa Got Stuck Up the Chimney.” These songs build musical skills, memory and vocabulary whilst creating a joyful atmosphere through group singing.
Creative Activities
Children across all groups engaged in creative festive activities. They made glitter baubles, using glue and glitter to decorate their own baubles on paper whilst using spreaders and choosing colours, developing fine motor control and creative decision-making. Children made snowmen using cotton wool and glue to create winter pictures, exploring texture and representation.
Tigers and Zebras Groups created pinecone baubles by using paint to decorate pinecones and adding string to make them into hanging decorations, transforming natural materials into festive ornaments. All groups decorated paper trees using gems, tinsel, shiny paper and glue, experimenting with different materials to create their own unique festive decorations.
Cashmore Early Years Centre had a wonderful Term 2, full of festive stories, songs and creative experiences that supported children’s learning and development.