We have had another busy and exciting week of learning. This week, some children in reception have taken part in their first Forest School session! The children thoroughly enjoyed exploring our school forest and collecting natural materials to build nests.

Here is an overview of what your child has been learning this week in Phonics, Maths and Understanding the World (Topic), along with some simple ideas for how you can support their learning at home.

Phonics

This week, the children have been focusing on learning and practicing several new letter sounds:

‘o’ - https://schools.ruthmiskin.com/training/view/TSsr9ozZ/dpT7TC3a

‘c’ - https://schools.ruthmiskin.com/training/view/VnSfIZ3F/dsLsOCJt

‘k’ - https://schools.ruthmiskin.com/training/view/AfxW94R2/b9p3Rp19

‘u’- https://schools.ruthmiskin.com/training/view/JLraAPcR/HbjfOUjU

‘b’- https://schools.ruthmiskin.com/training/view/AoeB4Znq/yYCfWhYY

What you can do at home to help:

• Sound Hunts: Look for objects around the house or while out on a walk that start with this week’s sounds (e.g., o range, c at, k ite, u mbrella, b all).
• Air Writing: Have your child practice forming the letters o, c, k, u, and b by "writing" them in the air with their finger or using sand.
• Initial Sound Games: Play "I Spy" focusing on initial sounds (e.g., "I spy with my little eye, something beginning with 'b'...").

Maths

In Maths this week, we have been working on geometry and comparing quantities:

• Identifying and naming 4-sided shapes (squares and rectangles) and using them to create pictures.
• Comparing two sets of objects to determine which set has ‘more than’ or ‘fewer than’.

What you can do at home to help:

• Shape Spotting: Challenge your child to find 4-sided shapes (squares and rectangles) around your home - such as doors, windows, cereal boxes or books!
• Comparing Snacks/Toys: During mealtime or playtime, make two small piles of snacks (like raisins or buttons) or toys. Ask your child: "Which pile has more?" or "Which pile has fewer?" Encourage them to count the items in each set to check their answer.

Understanding the World (Topic)

Our Topic focus this week was all about "Special Places":

• We discussed what makes a place special and drew pictures of our own special places.
• We explored special places at home, at school and in the local community
• We learned about places of worship and special places for Christians and Muslims and discussed why these places are significant.

 What you can do at home to help:

• Talk about your special places: Have a conversation with your child about a place that is special to your family (e.g., a park, a family member's house, or a place of worship) and talk about why it is special to you.
• Community Walk: Next time you are out in your local area, point out different places in the community (e.g., library, park, place of worship, school) and ask your child what happens there.

Thank you for your continued support with your child's learning! Have a wonderful weekend!

The Early Years Team