Canada Water School Highlights - March 14th 2025

A Week of Exploration, Celebration, and Learning in the Baby Room!

This week at Hatching Dragons Canada Water, our baby room was filled with joy, creativity, and hands-on learning as we explored the rich cultures of Norway, Denmark, and Sweden. The children engaged in exciting activities inspired by these countries, from messy water plays to collaborative art projects. We also celebrated Holi, the festival of colours, with a vibrant outdoor painting session that brought smiles and laughter to everyone.

Modern Language and Communication

Storytime took on a new level of engagement this week as the children enjoyed an interactive reading session with a puppet companion. To enhance communication, we introduced symbols and Makaton sign language, making the experience inclusive and immersive. The little ones eagerly practised signs for keywords like "home," "happy," and "play," expressing themselves confidently while following along with the puppet’s animated actions. Seeing their enthusiasm and growing communication skills made this session truly special!

Festival of the Week: Holi Celebrations

To embrace the spirit of Holi, the children took part in a joyful outdoor painting activity. Using bold, bright colours, they created unique masterpieces on a large black canvas, watching in amazement as their swirls and patterns came to life. Some children blended colours to make new shades, while others focused on defined shapes, showcasing their creativity. The outdoor setting added an extra layer of excitement as they enjoyed the fresh air while expressing themselves through art. Beyond the fun, this activity helped refine their fine motor skills and encouraged teamwork—truly a celebration of colour, culture, and creativity!

STEAM: Whale Collage Project

Inspired by Denmark and the Faroe Islands, the children worked together on a beautiful whale collage using shiny paper, blue tissue, and soft cotton balls. As they arranged and glued different materials, they learned about whales and their importance to these regions. This collaborative project encouraged creativity, fine motor development, and early scientific exploration, sparking their curiosity about marine life.

Regional Education: Norway’s Coastal Life

Our young explorers dived into Norway’s maritime culture with a fun and messy water activity! Using pipettes and food coloring, they created swirling ocean patterns while playing with toy sea animals and boats. This hands-on activity not only helped them understand Norway’s coastal environment but also supported their fine motor development as they carefully squeezed and released the pipettes. It was a wonderful way to bring geography to life through play!

Specialist Sessions

Sporty Minis: Moving and Learning Through Play

This week’s Sporty Minis session was filled with energy and movement! The children started with fun animal-themed stretches, mimicking cats, dogs, and frogs to develop flexibility and coordination. They then played with colourful ribbons, swirling and spinning them to encourage balance and creativity. The session ended with an exciting agility game, where they weaved in and out of cones, practising control and quick movements. It was a fantastic way to build physical strength and confidence through active play!

Music Sensory with Molly

Music time with Molly was a magical experience for the children. They delighted in singing "Old McDonald Had a Farm" while playing with plushie animals, making different animal sounds and laughing together. This was followed by a sensory bubble-popping activity, where the little ones watched bubbles float and pop, enhancing their hand-eye coordination and sensory awareness. The session wrapped up with "I Can See a Rainbow," where they explored different fabrics and lights, creating a calm and colourful atmosphere that encouraged relaxation and wonder.

Lucy Sparkles: Music, Movement, and Celebration

The children had an exciting session with Lucy Sparkles, filled with singing, movement, and rhythm! They started with the "Introduction Tiger Song," enthusiastically making animal sounds and engaging in playful actions. The highlight of the session was the Rainbow Parachute activity, where they joyfully waved the parachute while singing "I Can See a Rainbow," watching the colours swirl beautifully above them.

To celebrate International Women’s Day, the children sang a heartwarming song dedicated to their mums, grandmas, and teachers, expressing love and appreciation through music. It was a touching moment that reminded us all of the importance of love, care, and gratitude.

A Week of Exploration, Culture, and Creativity in Preschool!

This week at Hatching Dragons Canada Water, our preschoolers embarked on an incredible learning adventure, traveling back in time to the Viking Age, exploring our home city of London, and celebrating the vibrant festival of Holi! With a mix of hands-on activities, creative expression, and cultural discovery, it’s been a week filled with excitement, curiosity, and learning.

Languages & Communication: Exploring Viking Runes

Our journey into ancient writing systems took us to the fascinating world of Viking runes! The children learned that before the modern alphabet, people used symbols to communicate. They practiced mark-making by writing their initials using rune-like symbols, strengthening their early literacy skills while developing fine motor control. Playdough added a sensory element as the children molded letters and shapes, reinforcing their understanding of how written language has evolved over time.

Cultural Focus: Life of the Vikings

Continuing our exploration of Northern Europe, we delved into Viking life—how they lived, traveled, and shaped history. The highlight of this activity was designing Viking shields! Each child created their own shield, using patterns and colors to make unique designs. As they decorated, we discussed how Vikings used shields for both protection and decoration, blending history with creative expression. This hands-on approach made learning about the Vikings both fun and meaningful!

Discovering the UK & Our Home City: London

The children began their geography journey by learning about the four countries that make up the UK—England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. We explored maps and landmarks, focusing on our capital city, London! Discussions about Buckingham Palace, Tower Bridge, and the London Eye helped the children connect to the city they live in, developing early geography skills while nurturing a sense of belonging.

Excursion to the Victoria & Albert Museum

One of the most exciting moments of the week was our visit to the Victoria & Albert Museum! The children had the opportunity to explore incredible works of art and historical artifacts, sparking their curiosity and creativity. During a fun scavenger hunt, they identified different statues and artworks, enhancing their observational skills. It was inspiring to see them connect with history through hands-on exploration, making the experience both educational and engaging.

Celebrating Holi: A Festival of Colours

The nursery was bursting with color this week as we celebrated Holi, the festival of colors! The children had a fantastic time using powdered colors to create a collaborative artwork, experimenting with blending shades and patterns. They also enjoyed colorful face painting and storytelling sessions about Holi, learning about themes of friendship, kindness, and cultural appreciation. Through these joyful activities, the children gained a deeper understanding of global traditions in a fun and interactive way.

STEAM: Tartan Patterns & Scottish Design

Our STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) activity focused on Scottish tartan patterns. The children explored different tartans, learning about the history and significance of these beautiful designs. They became little Scottish designers, creating their own tartan-inspired patterns using lines, shapes, and colors on fabric. This activity encouraged pattern recognition, creativity, and an appreciation for textile design—blending art and cultural education beautifully!

Specialist Sessions: Learning Through Movement and Music

Molly’s Mindful Movement

Miss Molly’s yoga and mindfulness session this week was inspired by spring! The children explored different poses representing animals and objects linked to the season, practicing movement and body awareness. Through these exercises, they learned how to relax, regulate their emotions, and express themselves physically in a fun and calming way.

Sporty Minis with Coach Terry

This week’s Sporty Minis session focused on fundamental movement skills, particularly balance, agility, and running techniques. The children practiced controlling their movements, helping them build strength and coordination. It was a high-energy session that encouraged teamwork and perseverance!

Lucy Sparkles: A Musical Celebration

Our Friday music session with Hannah Sparkles was a joyful way to end the week! The children sang along to live piano music, exploring different tones and rhythms. A new song about fruits became a favorite, with the children taking turns singing and practicing their vocal range. It was a fun-filled musical morning that encouraged confidence and self-expression.

A Week to Remember!

From Viking adventures to colorful Holi celebrations and artistic tartan creations, this week has been one of discovery, creativity, and cultural appreciation. The children have learned so much through play, exploration, and hands-on experiences, making each day exciting and meaningful.

We can’t wait to see what next week brings!