In Block 4, children will enjoy listening to simple stories all about animals and how they move and live. We will talk together about the pictures in the books, helping children notice what the animals are doing and encouraging them to share their ideas using words, sounds, or actions. These shared story times help children begin to enjoy books and build early listening and language skills.

Through storytelling with books, puppets, and props, children will go on fun, imaginative adventures. They will copy animal sounds, act out movements, and join in with familiar words and actions, helping to grow confidence and a love of stories.

Development Matters

• Enjoy and explore favourite stories through play using simple props.
  
  

• Join in with songs and rhymes, copying sounds, actions, rhythms, and tunes.
  
  

Key Vocabulary
Kingdom, flutter, trumpet, chatter, howl, den, cocoon, hibernate, cave, migrate, soar

In Block 4, we will explore size, weight, and quantity through the exciting world of animals. Reading stories about big and small animals and comparing heavier and lighter creatures and their homes will encourage children to notice differences and talk about what they see. Through these fun stories and hands-on activities, children will also begin to count animals and sort them into simple groups.

Development Matters

• Compare amounts using words like "lots," "more," or "same."
  
  

• Explore sizes, weights, and lengths using gestures and simple language such as "bigger/little/smaller," "tall," and "heavy."
  
  

Key Vocabulary
Difference, compare, heavy, light, enormous, wide, narrow, altogether, separate

In Block 4, our focus will be exploring the Animal Kingdom. Children will enjoy a variety of hands-on activities that bring the animal world to life, such as safari animal hunts, dress-up play, puppet shows, and other interactive games. They will explore how animals are similar and different and share their observations during group discussions. These playful experiences help children begin to understand the world around them and spark curiosity about nature.

Development Matters

• Explore and respond to the natural world in the classroom and during trips.
  
  

• Investigate and notice features of animals and their habitats.
  
  

Key Vocabulary
Mammals, cluster, herd, wool, foal, calf, mammoth, safari, wilderness, binoculars

In Block 4, children will be inspired by a range of creative activities such as crafting, interactive storytelling, role play, and imaginative play. They will use their creativity to explore the animal world, including taking part in virtual safaris and outdoor animal scavenger hunts. These experiences encourage children to express themselves, develop their imagination, and enjoy playful, hands-on learning.

Development Matters

• Explore their voices and enjoy making sounds.
  
  

• Begin to create simple stories using small-world play, such as animal sets.
  
  

Key Vocabulary
Sprinkle, rip, antlers, vibrant, rare, extinct, spread

Children will have lots of fun developing their gross motor skills and coordination by observing how animals move and trying to copy them. Through story time, nursery rhymes, songs, and games, children will pretend to be different animals, promoting balance, flexibility, and body awareness while having a playful learning experience.

We will also continue to support fine motor skills through activities like mark-making, playdough, and other hands-on creative tasks, helping children strengthen their hands and fingers for future writing and practical skills.

Development Matters

• Gradually gain control of their whole body through practising large movements such as waving, kicking, rolling, crawling, and walking.
  
  

• Explore and move safely through spaces like tunnels, dens, and large boxes.
  
  

Key Vocabulary
Hop, skip, rotate, twist, bounce, twirl, crouch, slither, stomp, chomp, pounce, gallop, waddle

In Block 4, children will continue to learn about themselves and others as they explore the world of animals. Through group activities, role play, and storytelling, they will practice sharing, taking turns, and showing care for others—just like how animals look after their families.

Children will also be encouraged to talk about their feelings and recognize the feelings of others, using simple language and gestures. Activities such as caring for animal toys, working in small groups, and joining in pretend play will help children develop confidence, empathy, and positive social skills in a fun and playful way.

Development Matters

• Begin to take turns and share resources with support.
  
  

• Show care and concern for others and living things.
  
  

• Express simple feelings through words, actions, and facial expressions.
  
  

Key Vocabulary
Share, care, gentle, kind, happy, sad, calm, help, friends, family

During Block 4, children will explore The Animal Kingdom through a variety of fun and engaging activities. They will learn the names of different animals, their characteristics, behaviours, and habitats, helping to build their vocabulary and expressive language skills.

Through stories, songs, rhymes, and playful discussions, children will develop a love of the natural world and spark curiosity about animals and their surroundings. They will also practice listening and understanding by talking about pictures, recalling simple details, and responding to familiar words and ideas.

Development Matters

• Listen to simple stories and begin to understand what is happening with the help of pictures.
  
  

• Identify familiar objects and properties when described by practitioners.
  
  

Key Vocabulary
Mammals, hibernate, explore, adventure, expedition, endangered, habitat, nocturnal, prey

Go on a bug hunt with your family in your garden or at the park.

Act like your favourite animal using the sounds and movements they make.

If you have a pet, share a picture of your pet. If you don’t, colour a picture of your favourite animal.

Make animal footprints in sand, mud, or playdough and guess which animal made them.

Sing your favourite animal songs or rhymes at home and try to copy the actions.

Sort your toys into groups of animals – big/small, farm/wild, or mammals/birds.

Use blocks or boxes to build an animal home, like a nest, den, or cave.

Storytime fun: Read a simple animal book together and talk about the animals you see.