This week, our learning has been centred around the much-loved story Goldilocks and the Three Bears.
We would like to thank you for coming in to help launch this with the children and for supporting them throughout the activities.
When working with a key text, we often re-read the story each day to support the children in picking up new vocabulary. By the end of the week, many children were able to join in with key phrases from the book, with some even ‘reading’ it by themselves, fantastic for building confidence and helping them see themselves as readers.
Throughout the week, we themed our literacy and maths activities around Goldilocks and the Three Bears. As part of our phonics development, the children listened carefully for sounds in words from the song ‘When Goldilocks went to the house of the bears’, for example breaking bowl into b-ow-l. This helps prepare them for writing, as they learn to spell words by hearing and identifying the sounds within them.
To support the children’s writing development, they used a ‘dot’ movement with cotton buds to decorate bowls, helping to build finger control and strength. They also revisited making anti-clockwise circles while drawing in the sand, an important movement for early letter formation.
Another key skill we focus on is understanding story structure by remembering and retelling the story. As the children grow into writing, this will support them in composing their own stories. We often develop this skill through play, using props from the story to help bring it to life.
In maths, the children explored seeing and making the numbers 1, 2 and 3 through practical activities.
There’s been so much fun and learning this week that I could write forever—but before I do, I’d love to shine a spotlight on the importance of sensory play. Sensory activities are so important for three-year-olds, helping them explore the world, develop fine motor skills, and make sense of new experiences through touch, movement, and play.
It might get a little messy, just like Goldilocks in the bears’ house, but it’s all part of the fun, and such an important part of the children’s learning and growing!