In Block 2, we will help the children explore their senses and understand their feelings. Through stories, rhymes, and songs about sights, sounds, and emotions, children will learn new words to describe the world around them and share their experiences. We will also encourage them to express their thoughts and feelings through fun sensory activities. This will help them build confidence, become more aware of themselves, and develop the skills they need to communicate effectively.

Development Matters:
-Enjoy songs, rhymes, tuning in, and paying attention
-Pay attention and respond to the pictures or the words. 

Key Vocabulary: emotions, content, puzzled, excited, grumpy, grin, touch, bumpy, rough, silky, smooth, hard, texture, fragrance

In Block 2, children will begin exploring early maths through fun, hands-on activities. They will practice counting, comparing sizes, and noticing shapes using things they can see and touch. Simple games like sorting colorful objects or counting steps to a favourite spot will help them start understanding basic maths concepts in a playful way.

Development Matters:
- Take part in finger rhymes with numbers
- React to changes of amount in a group of up to three items.       

Key Vocabulary:  altogether, several,  heavy, light, enormous, tiny,

Block 2 will help the children to understand the world around them by encouraging them to explore how they feel and what they experience. Through activities like playing with various textures, smelling different scents, and tasting new foods, they will learn to connect their senses with their emotions. This hands-on exploration builds curiosity and helps them express themselves in a fun way!

Development Matters:
-Use all their senses in hands-on exploration of natural materials

-Explore a collection of materials with similar and/or different properties.

-Talk about what they see, using a wider vocabulary

Key Vocabulary: taste, smell, touch, sound, hear, enjoy, like, dislike, explore, discuss, tell, 

Note - We will contact you with further details before any food tasting sessions happen in class. 

In Block 2, the children will use different materials to create art based on what they see, feel, or hear. These hands-on experiences will encourage them to express their feelings through colours, shapes, and textures. Additionally, discussing emotions will help them communicate their ideas and experiences, making their artwork more meaningful and personal.

Development Matters:
-Show attention to sounds and music
-Respond emotionally and physically to music when it changes

-Explore paint using fingers and other parts of their bodies, as well as brushes and other tools

Key Vocabulary: paste, collage, see, imagination, wonder, print.

In Block 2, children will develop their movement and coordination through fun activities. They will explore simple obstacle courses with cones, tunnels, and balance beams to improve balance and gross motor skills. We will also introduce easy yoga poses to help children become more flexible, aware of their bodies, and mindful. For fine motor skills, children will enjoy activities like rolling, flattening, and shaping playdough, which helps strengthen their hands and improve coordination.

Development Matters:
- Develop manipulation and control
- Explore different material and tools
-Encourage children to climb unaided and to stop if they do not feel safe.

Key Vocabulary: strength, balance, play, run, jump, climb, stretch, soar, tilt, behind, front, sideways, shiver, trace, press, mold, shape, flatten, roll

In Block 2, we will help children learn to understand and manage their emotions, build confidence, and develop a positive sense of themselves. They will practice setting small goals, waiting patiently, and focusing on tasks, which helps them feel capable and independent.  Through supported play and interaction with others, they will begin to make friends, cooperate, and resolve conflicts in a kind and peaceful way. These skills help children feel secure, confident, and ready to enjoy learning and life.

Development Matters:
-Find ways to calm themselves.

-Grow in independence,

-Be increasingly able to talk about and manage their emotions.

Key Vocabulary: share, friendship, joy, independent, imagination, exploration, curiosity, confidence, communication, excitement, connection, demonstrate, describe, locate, choose

During Block 2, children will enjoy a variety of stories, rhymes, and poems. They will be encouraged to join in by repeating phrases and making fun sound effects. We will talk about the characters and events, helping children share their thoughts and feelings about the story. Children will also act out different emotions while their friends guess what they are feeling, which helps them learn about emotions, build vocabulary, and practice both talking and expressing themselves without words.

Development Matters:
-Use a wide range of vocabulary
-Start to say how they are feeling, using words as well as actions

Key Vocabulary: repeat, sounds, characters, events, feel, explain, tell, share, listen 

-Experiment with colours and shapes, see what colours you can make by mixing primary colours and make prints out of shapes.

-Use objects in your home to create prints on paper and see how many shapes you can find in your home.

-Experiment with different textures at home (a soft cloth, rough sponge, smooth stone, etc.).

 - Create an obstacle course and see if you can fit into large spaces and tiny spaces; see if you can recognise shapes in these spaces. 

- Go on a nature walk, and collect different materials with different textures, colours, shapes, and sizes. Collect it in your nature bag!