Welcome to this week's Reception newsletter! We’ve had another wonderfully busy week filled with curiosity, high energy and big smiles. The children have been diving into all sorts of exciting activities, from hunting for initial sounds around the room to meeting some exciting new puppet friends along the way.

What We Are Learning in School

• Phonics: The children are focusing on oral blending and segmenting through interactive listening games. They have met Fred the Frog for "Fred Talk", played games with "Fred's Fridge", practiced with CVC word blocks and hunted for initial sounds playing games like I-Spy around the classroom.
• Maths: We have been learning to identify and name circles and triangles, as well as sharpening our counting skills up to 5. The children are practicing touching each item just once as they count, counting sounds, moving objects one by one and understanding that the final number they say represents the total amount.
• PSED (Personal, Social & Emotional Development): We are focusing on how to be "Super Learners" by looking at key learning traits. The children are exploring what it means to be determined like Zog, curious like Norman and brave enough to take learning risks like George.
• Story & Poetry Time: Every day starts on a lively note with our "Wake Up Shake Up" routine and reciting our poem, Two Feet. For our end-of-day story time, we are diving into the classic tale of Goldilocks and the Three Bears.

How You Can Help at Home

• Try "Fred Talk" at Home: Break simple words down into individual sounds during your daily routine (e.g., "Put on your c-oa-t" or "Touch your h-ea-d"). You can also play I-Spy around the house to spot things starting with specific sounds.

Fred’s Fridge- https://schools.ruthmiskin.com/training/view/seBszdVu/GSDLPfvB

Fred says - https://schools.ruthmiskin.com/training/view/0gXY3Yik/xr4FaMFt

• Count Everyday Objects: Help your child count out up to 5 items—like snacks, buttons or cutlery—by touching each object once or sliding it across the table. Reinforce that the last number they say tells us how many there are altogether.
• Shape Hunt: Keep an eye out for circles and triangles around the house or while walking to school.
• Encourage "Super Learning": Celebrate when your child shows determination on a tricky task, ask questions to spark their natural curiosity and praise them whenever they step out of their comfort zone to try something new.
• Share Stories & Rhymes: Revisit Goldilocks and the Three Bears together or chant simple poems to help build their vocabulary, rhythm and love for reading.

Reminders:

Reading for Pleasure: Look out for a new reading book coming home in your child's bag this week! This is for you to share and enjoy reading together.

Top 5 Favourite Books: We've printed and sent home a list of 5 stories we've been reading in class. Sharing these at home will help your child join in with familiar phrases and boost their vocabulary!

Name Labels: Please ensure all clothing, coats, and wellies are clearly labelled with your child's name so lost items can easily find their way back to you.