Birthdays

This week in Ducklings, we have been learning all about birthdays. The children thoroughly enjoyed this theme, especially as our classroom was enhanced with birthday-themed resources such as balloons, birthday cards, party invitations, wrapping paper, birthday hats and party plates and cups. These additions supported the children’s Communication and Language development as they talked about their own birthday experiences and explored new vocabulary.

We discussed what we like to do at birthday celebrations, the kinds of food we might eat, the cakes we enjoy and the games we might play. The children were also invited to help bake a birthday cake, giving them hands-on experiences that link to Understanding the World and Physical Development through mixing, pouring and following instructions.

The children had the opportunity to design and make their own birthday crowns, supporting their Expressive Arts and Design skills as they explored materials and expressed their creativity. They also challenged themselves to see how many times they could bounce a balloon into the air, developing Physical Development through coordination and control.

When the sunshine finally appeared, we brought out the large parachute and played a variety of fun outdoor games. The children loved the scale of the parachute, watching it billow in the wind, and climbing both on and underneath it. These activities encouraged teamwork and turn-taking, supporting Personal, Social and Emotional Development, as well as gross motor skills.

Overall, it was a fantastic week in Ducklings, full of joyful play, meaningful learning, and rich opportunities for the children to develop across the EYFS areas of learning.