What does our Nursery look like?
Hello Nursery children and families,
Thank you to all the families who have joined us for the singing and story sessions. It has been so lovely to see you all. From the 1st of June both sessions will be on Google Classroom.
To use Google Classroom please press the links below.
Singing time will be at 1.00pm this week on Google Classroom. There will be no story time this week.
How to log into Google Classroom.
Type of work set on Google Classroom
Click on the link below to access mini mash. I will be updating regularly with new games. It is a very useful resource to help your child develop many skills. If you save your child’s work in their tray I can send them a message. When your child has finished their picture or activity press save. Scroll down to your child’s name and press save. I look forward to seeing their creations.
http://www.purplemash.co.uk/sch/hortonmill
Monday the 29th of June
Challenge 1
Share the story ‘We all go travelling by.’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kpoze1QKOCY
Encourage your child to make the sounds for the different vehicles.
Challenge 2
When you are outside, listen to the sounds of different vehicles. Name the vehicle as you listen to the sound.
Challenge 3
Play I spy and give clues e.g. something that has wings or something that has a ladder. Can your child point to the plane or the fire engine?
transport-i-spy-scene-activity-_ver_2
Challenge 4
Follow the line.
transport-pencil-control-path-activity-sheets-_ver_3
Friday the 26th of June
Challenge 1
Watch the clip of the bear hunt and talk about the birds and bugs you can see. https://youtu.be/IizB48orckY
Challenge 2
Can you talk about the weather. What can you see? How does it make you feel?
https://www.walker.co.uk/UserFiles/file/2017/Activity%20Sheets/Bear_Hunt_ActivitySheets.pdf
Challenge 3
Can you draw some snowflakes?
https://www.walker.co.uk/UserFiles/file/Bear_Hunt_Activity_Sheets_Jan19.pdf
Challenge 4
Using a teddy bear or another toy hide under and on top of different objects such as a chair or table and ask them where is the teddy. Get them to say ‘on top of the table’ or ‘under the table’. If they find this easy try in front and behind.
Thursday 25th of June
Challenge 1
Watch the clip of the bear hunt. Talk about what you can see. ‘I can see a tree’ ‘I can see some green grass’ https://youtu.be/9GfLjQc2id0
Challenge 2
Can you complete one of the pencil control activity sheets?
bear-hunt-themed-pencil-control-activity-sheets
Challenge 3
When outside look up at the clouds. Talk to your child about what the clouds look like. Can you see any shapes? Do they look like objects? https://www.walker.co.uk/UserFiles/file/2017/Activity%20Sheets/Bear_Hunt_ActivitySheets.pdf
Challenge 4
Can you make a bear using natural objects? https://www.walker.co.uk/UserFiles/file/2017/Activity%20Sheets/Bear_Hunt_ActivitySheets.pdf
Wednesday 24th of June
Challenge 1
Watch the clip of the children sharing the story of the bear hunt. What sounds can you hear?
Challenge 2
Using a colouring picture from the link before take it in turns to colour the picture. Tell each other what to colour. You can be as silly as you like. For example ‘Colour the bears ears red.’ bear colouring use
Challenge 3
Can you take the family through the maze avoiding the bears?https://www.walker.co.uk/UserFiles/file/Bear_Hunt_Activity_Sheets_Jan19.pdf
Challenge 4
Go on a leaf hunt talk about the colours and shapes. Can you group them in different ways such as big and small?https://www.walker.co.uk/UserFiles/file/2017/Activity%20Sheets/Bear_Hunt_ActivitySheets.pdf
Tuesday 23rd of June
Challenge 1
Can you join in the bear hunt song? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7R_y-XXEIo&vl=en
Challenge 2
Go on your own bear hunt, you could hide your child’s teddy in the garden somewhere, can your child listen to short and simple instructions to find it? E.g. take 2 steps forward, look under the plant pot.
Challenge 3
Make some bear ears to wear. Can you hide and get someone else in you family to find you.https://www.jointhebearhunt.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Were-Going-on-a-Bear-Hunt-Activity-Sheets-2020.pdf
Challenge 4
Can you decorate the pair of wellies. Are you going to draw some spots, stripes or flowers?https://www.walker.co.uk/UserFiles/file/Bear_Hunt_Activity_Sheets_Jan19.pdf
Monday 22nd of June
Challenge 1
Share the story ‘We are going on a Bear Hunt’ Can you join in? https://youtu.be/kL36gMrHJaI
Challenge 2
There were lots of things the family had to walk through on their bear hunt! Can you remember what they were? What noises did they hear? What did they see? Look at the story map and retell the story together.Bear-Hunt-Story-Map-Activity-Sheets_ver_2
Challenge 3
Go on a hunt together with a family member, make a list of all the things you can find, cars, animals, insects etc. Can you find one for every letter of the alphabet? You could make a collage of all the letters and things you saw!
Challenge 4
Cut out the bear picture. Can you hide it for someone else in your family to find.https://www.jointhebearhunt.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Were-Going-on-a-Bear-Hunt-Activity-Sheets-2020.pdf
Friday the 19th of June
Challenge 1
Join in singing five little monkeys song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nxVpCRDelA
Challenge 2
Can you make five little monkeys finger puppets?
https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resource/t-t-1766-five-little-monkeys-stick-puppets
Challenge 3
Watch the video of the monkey’s. Talk about what they look like and what they are doing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owr198WQpM8
Challenge 4
Copy Andy in his wild Rainforest workout.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p06tmrxr/andys-wild-workouts-series-1-6-rainforests
Thursday 18th of June
Challenge 1
Colour a picture from the story.
https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resource/t-t-1563-african-hen-story-colouring-sheets
Challenge 2
Watch video about butterflies. What can you see?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUybrJmFv0c
Challenge 3
Can you paint a symetrical butterfly?
https://www.adabofgluewilldo.com/line-symmetry-butterfly-craft/
Wednesday 17th of June
Challenge 1
Watch the video about giraffes. What do giraffes look like? What are they doing? Can you move like a giraffe?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1tKDmVB674
Challenge 2
Can you remember something that the giraffe eats?
What is your favourite food?
Ask everybody in your family what is their favourite food?
Challenge 3
Make a friut stick or fruit salad.
https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resource/t-t-12522-african-surprise-fruit-sticks-with-yoghurt-recipe-sheet
https://www.netmums.com/recipes/fresh-fruit-salad-for-kids
Tuesday the 16th of June
Challenge 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyIV_xYi0as
Watch the video of Handa’s surprise by Eileen Browne. Talk about what is happening. What do you think will happen next? How do you think Akeyo feels when she gets her surprise? How do you think Handa feels?
Challenge 2
Watch Andy’s wild adventure and talk about the animals you can see. What do they look like and what do they do?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01cbn46/andys-wild-adventures-series-1-2-elephants
Challenge 3
Can you draw, paint or make a picture of an elephant?
Challenge 4
Copy Andy doing his wild Savanah workout.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p06tmn8z/andys-wild-workouts-series-1-2-african-savannah
Monday 15th of June
Challenge 1 
Watch the video of Handa’s surprise by Eileen Browne. Talk about what is happening. What do you think will happen next?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyIV_xYi0as
Challenge 2
Go on a fruit hunt. Can you find 5 pieces of fruit? Which fruits did you find? What colour are they? What do they look or feel like? Ask your child to close their eyes and then hide 1 piece of friut. How many pieces of fruit are there? Keep going until there are none left. To make this more challenging ask your child to show you how many on their finger or point to a number.
Challenge 3
Using safety scissors can you cut out some fruit?
https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resource/t-t-2547516-fruit-themed-cutting-skills-activity-sheet
Challenge 4
Colour in the fruit pictures.
https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resource/t-t-27557-fruit-salad-colouring-sheets
Other ways to help my child to learn and develop.
Keeping active
To help keep your child active try:
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=youtube+music+express&qpvt=youtube+music+express&FORM=VDRE
Try doing the dance to Happy by Pharrell Williams
How to help your child develop their Listening Skills
- Make sounds with objects around your home. Give your child a signal to GO or when to STOP. After a few times, let your child be the leader so they can tell you when to start or stop.
- Give instructions for your child to do an action but they must wait until you say GO
e.g. Clap your hands……………GO!
- Say a familiar Nursery rhyme or read a favourite story and make mistakes – can your child spot the mistakes?
- Use 3 or 4 different sounds on a phone or Ipad. Tell your child to do a particular action for each sound e.g. bell – roll arms, swoosh – stretch up tall, boing – jump up and down.
- Play hide & seek: Hide some toys around your home and ask your child to go and find them. Make a sound when they are getting closer and a different sound when they are getting further away.
To help develop your child’s understanding of language
- Find objects around the home following certain categories e.g. something you can drink from, something you can sit on, something you can wear, something you can cut with. Something shiny/soft/bumpy/noisy
- Take photos of you doing an activity with your child e.g. baking, washing up, sorting clothes, putting your shopping away, craft activities, physical exercises. Look back at the photos and talk about what you did in order.
- Play hide and seek with a favourite toy – make the toy hide in/on/under/behind things. Use the position words to say where you have found the toy e.g. ‘She’s under the TV’
- Play shopping/café games. Ask your child to give you 2 or 3 items. Can they remember what you have asked them for?
- Talk about your daily routine – what did you do in the morning/afternoon/at bedtime
Word Challenge!
How many new words can your child learn each day?
Sing some Nursery rhymes together.
Press the links below and join in singing.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/school-radio/nursery-rhymes-songs-medleys/zf2792p
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAJynCIsNUg
http://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/tweenies/songtime/songs/viewall_songs.shtml
Share stories together
Share a story together using a book, oxford owls, storyplace or watch the video link below of Mrs Bush reading the story Hippo Has a Hat by Nick Sharratt.
Hippo Has a Hat by Julia Donaldson and Nick Sharratt
Username: horton mill nursery password green
Watch the phonics fairy read the stories by pressing the links below.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLV5E_EC-wNdjn1acTqEmsthWLY55q6tCs
Maths Ideas 
- Go on a ‘Number hunt’ around your home.
- Count objects https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resource/t-n-1238-counting-scenes-powerpoint-1-10
- Sing some number songs together. https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/school-radio/nursery-rhymes-counting-medley/zj94y9q
- Go on a ‘Shape hunt’, finding different shapes around your home.
- Watch the singing walrus find shapes in the video link below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEbRDtCAFdU
- Find some socks or house hold objects, mix them up and order them by length.
- Write a number on the top of a piece of paper and find some objects to match the numeral.
- Write numbers on pieces of paper or post-it notes and hide them around the house. When you find the number can you do that many actions e.g. 5 claps, 3 hops, 7 jumps etc.
- Find 1 cup, 2 combs, 3 spoons etc. Make some shapes out of the items you find.
- Practice forming the numbers correctly with pens or paint. Use the number formation cards to help you form them correctly.
http://www.communication4all.co.uk/Numeracy/Number%20Formation%20Rhyme%20Cards.pdf
- Have fun setting up a role play shop. Write out price tags and enjoy buying and selling your items.
- Don’t forget counting is everywhere, count as you put toys on the table, walk up the stairs or even count how many family members are in a room.
Make some play dough.
Then join the play dough disco! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJQ2CaA7E50&t=55s
- Make nursery rhyme puppets using wooden spoons and sing the songs together.
- Make some musical instruments out of house hold objects e.g. sound shaker with a plastic bottle and some beans, rice or stones. Can you keep a steady beat to your favourite song? the beat?
- Do some painting and watch how the colours mix.
- Use some Lego or building bricks and get building! Make something different each day e.g. a pirate ship, a rocket, a fairy castle, a zoo.
- If you have a ‘pretend kitchen’ in your house make some party food for your dolls or teddies.
- Make a picture with cut up bits of old clothes and talk about the different textures.
- If you have dressing up clothes, dress up and make up some stories. You could make a magic wand or treasure map to make your story even more exciting! Make a video of your story.
- Make a den using bedsheets and enjoy a story inside using your phone torches.
- Taste some new fruit & veg and talk about the importance of keeping healthy. Make a picture with cut up pieces of fruit or veg then enjoy eating it!
Your child will go through different stages of mark making.
These are all important in your child’s development.
At first they will make uncontrolled marks.
Over time these marks will become more controlled.
They will begin to distinguish between the different marks.
Between 30 to 50 months they will start to give meanings between the marks they draw and paint. “That is a bear.”
Daily Challenges
Challenge 1
Sing the song five little ducks
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDfN2KDoVQE
Challenge 2
Make some little duck finger puppets.
https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resource/t-t-1761-five-little-ducks-stick-puppets
Challenge 3
Trace the numbers.
https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resource/t-n-544-number-formation-worksheet
Challenge 4
Go on number hunt around your house. What numbers can you find?
Thursday 11th of June
Challenge 1
Share the E Book Brenda’s Boring Egg.
https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resource/t-l-53920-brendas-boring-egg-ebook
What do you think will happen next?
Challenge 2
Look at the photographs. Talk about what you can see. What do you think is happening?
Challenge 3
Can you make a chocolate duck nest?
https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resource/t-l-54083-brendas-boring-eggs-chocolate-duck-nests-recipe
Challenge 4
Follow the line on the handwritting sheets.
https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resource/t-l-53949-brendas-boring-egg-pencil-control-activity-sheets
Challenge 5
Sing the song 5 little ducks
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZw9veQ76fo
Wednesday 10th of June
Challenge 1
Share the stoy The Odd egg by Emily Gravett. Talk about what you think is inside the odd egg. Where you right?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LKoji2i7Cw
Challenge 2
Watch the video of the duckings hatching. What can you see? What can you hear? What is inside the eggs?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBfQ_ciZJHU
Challenge 3
Can you draw an egg? What is inside your egg?
Challenge 4
Can you make a duckling snack?
https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resource/t-l-54080-brendas-boring-eggs-duckling-snack-recipe
Challenge 5
If you have a printer make a life cycle of a duck wheel. Talk about how a duck grows and changes.
Tuesday 9th of June
Challenge 1
Join in Rhyme Time with Suzanne.
Challenge 2
Make some binoculars. To go on a giggle hunt. Can you find something that makes you laugh?
Challenge 3
Look at the happy and sad photo packs. Talk about how the people are feeing. Why do you think they feel happy or sad?
https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resource/t-ad-052-happy-and-sad-photo-pack
Challenge 4
Can you colour the ‘Giggle map’ ?
https://oldhamtheatreworkshop.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Giggle-Colouring-Sheet.jpg.zip
Monday the 8th of June
Challenge 1
Watch ‘The Hunt for the Giggle’ video.
Challenge 2
Make your own Giggle map.
Challenge 3
Challenge 4
Watch the I feel happy power point. What makes you feel happy?
https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resource/t-tp-5248-eyfs-i-am-feeling-happy-powerpoint
Friday 5th of June
Challenge 1
Share the story of ‘The Gingerbread Man.’ What happens at the beginning of the story? What happens next? Was it a good idea for the Gingerbread man to climb on the foxes back?
Challenge 2
Can you act out the story with Rachel?
Challenge 3
Can you join in with the Rhymes with Farrah?
Challenge 4
Can you make a Gingerbread man?
Thursday 4th of June
Challenge 1
Share the story ‘The enormous turnip.’ What does the man find? What does he do? What happens next?
https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resource/t-t-12321-the-enormous-turnip-ebook
Challenge 2
Sing the vegetable song with the singing Walrus.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RE5tvaveVak
Challenge 3
Can you find some vegetables in your home? What are they called? What do they look like? What do they feel like?
Challenge 4
Can you draw a picture of a vegetable?
https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resource/t-l-5118-new-vegetable-word-mat
Wednesday 3rd of June
Challenge 1
Listen to the story the enormous turnip. What does the man do? Who helps the man? What happens at the end of the story?
https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resource/t-t-12321-the-enormous-turnip-ebook
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGw5yTOPTSQ
Challenge 2
Sing the enormous turnip song. Can you join in singing? Can you join in with the actions?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NqInV6_g5M
Challenge 3
Can you find a big object in your home?
Can you find something bigger?
Can you find something small?
Can you find something smaller?
Challenge 4
For younger children:
Colour the pictures
https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resource/t-t-16145-the-enormous-turnip-colouring-sheets
For older children:
Complete the handwriting patterns.
https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resource/t-t-16213-the-enormous-turnip-pencil-control-sheets
Tuesday 2nd of June
Challenge 1
Share the story ‘The Little Red Hen.’ Can you join in with story?
https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resource/tp-l-52275-the-little-red-hen-ebook
https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/school-radio/eyfs-listen-and-play-the-little-red-hen/zfptqp3
Challenge 2
Watch the little boy making grass head monsters. What is he doing? What do you think will happen? Why is he pouring water onto the seeds? What do plants need to grow? They need soil, water and sunlight.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecty4bj6d6o
Challenge 3
When taking a walk, talk about what you can see growing. Can you see some flowers? Can you see some grass? Can you see some trees?
Challenge 4
Can you draw or paint some flowers?
Monday 1st of June
Challenge 1
Listen to the story ‘The little Red Hen.’ What does the Little Red Hen do in the story? Does anybody help the Little Red Hen? How do you think the little Red Hen felt?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LVRjy7r_eE
Challenge 2
Watch the video about incredible crops. Talk about what you can see? What are the farmers doing? What do you think they are growing?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_UCx8wfzXA
Challenge 3
Can you plant some seeds and watch the plant grow. You can buy seeds from the supermarket or even plant seeds from fruits that you have in your home such as apples.
Challenge 4
Can you make a tractor using used boxes and kitchen rolls?
Friday the 22nd of May
Challenge 1
Listen to the story of Goldilocks and the three bears.
Challenge 2
Join in the Rhyme time.
Challenge 3
Act out the story.
Challenge 4
Make the bears footprints.
BearGoldilocks and the three bears – Bear Footprints
Challenge 5
Make a fuzzy bear
Goldilocks and the three bears – Bear Footprints Goldilocks and the Three Bears – Fuzzy
Thursday 21st of May
Challenge 1
Listen to the story about the princess and the frog. Talk about what the princess says and does. Is she being kind?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/stories/melody-promises
Challenge 2
Colour and cut out your knight picture.
https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resource/t-t-15211-knight-colouring-cut-out
Challenge 3
Can you make a Knight role play mask?
https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resource/t-t-3848-medieval-knights-role-play-masks
Challenge 4
Can you make a Knights shield pizza?
https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resource/t-t-2566991-knights-shield-pizza-recipe
Wednesday 20th of May
Challenge 1 
Watch the Daydreaming dragon. Talk to your child about what the daydreaming dragon looks like? What does it do?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/watch/kazoops-daydream-dragon-song
Challenge 2
Draw or paint a picture of a dragon. What colours can you use? What does your dragon look like? Maybe you could give your dragon a name.
Challenge 3
Sometimes young children find it difficult to understand and control their feelings.
Here are some lovely ideas of helping your child when they become frustrated, worried or upset.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/joinin/help-children-cope-with-emotions
Tuesday 19th of May
Challenge 1
Watch and join in with the Castle Song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEbrwAIEDRI
Challenge 2
Use the pencil control sheets to help your child develop their pencil control. If you have not got a printer draw a wavy and zig zag line for your child to trace over the top.
https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resource/t-t-10572-castles-and-knights-pencil-control-path-worksheet
For a bigger challenge try:
https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resource/t-t-10567-castles-and-knights-pencil-control-worksheets
Challenge 3
Ask your child to find the different objects in the picture. This will help your child to increase their vocabulary.
https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resource/t-t-2566992-knights-and-dragons-can-you-find-poster-and-prompt-card-pack
Challenge 4
Make a model of a castle. You could use cardboard boxes, tubes, building bricks, empty packaging or anything else. I have also attached a cut out castle in case you would like to use it.
https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resource/t-t-14966-castle-building-cut-out
Monday 18th May
Challenge 1 
Share the story Jack and the beanstalk. Talk about what is happening and what is going to happen next.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvoJmMW-Wbo
Challenge 2
Look at the pictures of castles and talk about what you can see.
https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resource/t-t-3850-castle-photo-pack
Challenge 3
Can you draw a picture of castle?
Challenge 4
Play the sound game 4
https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/school-radio/eyfs-listening-skills-sound-games-4/zhpn2sg
Friday the 15th of May
Challenge 1
Join in singing ‘Iv’e got a body’ and ‘Head shoulders knees and toes’
https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/school-radio/eyfs-listen-and-play-my-busy-body/zr3vhbk
Challenge 2
Listen to the story my Helping Hands.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/school-radio/eyfs-listen-and-play-my-busy-body/zr3vhbk
Challenge 3
Can you help someone in your family? Take a photograph and load it on Google classroom.
Challenge 4
Take a walk around your house. What can you see? What can you hear? What can you smell? What can you feel? What can you taste?
Thursday the 14th of May
Challenge 1 
Listen to the story ‘The Three Little Pigs’
Challenge 2
Join in singing the Rhymes with Katie.
Challenge 3
Act out the story with Ellie.
Challenge 4
Make the three little pigs puppets.
Wednesday 13th of May
Challenge 1 
Share the video ‘My Amazing Body’. Talk about amazing things your child can do.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8AsYElycIY
Challenge 2
Video your child doing lots of different actions. Play back the video and name the action while your child copies it.
Challenge 3
Can you write your name?
Challenge 4
Go on a number hunt around your home. Can you find the numbers: 1 2 3 4 and 5?
Tuesday May the 12th
Challenge 1
Share the story Aunt Amelia by Rebecca Cobb. Talk about the illustrations. What is happening what do you think will happen next in the story? Do you think the children like Aunt Amelia looking after them? Why do you think that?
Challenge 2
Watch the link below with your child and talk about a time when they felt sad. What did someone do to make them feel happy again? Think of things they could do to cheer up someone who is feeling sad. This will help your child develop the vocabulary of feelings and learn ways to manage their emotions.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/class-clips-video/pshe-eyfs-ks1-feeling-sad/zj7qt39
Challenge 3
Can you get active with Andy?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p06tmrxr/andys-wild-workouts-series-1-6-rainforest
Monday May the 11th
Challenge 1 
Share the story ‘The listening walk’ by Paul Showers. Talk about the sounds they can hear. This will help to develop your child’s listening skills and increase their vocabulary.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCs66HaouFU
Challenge 2
Take a walk around your house. What sounds can you hear? Can you try to make that sound? This will help develop your child’s listening skills and increase their vocabulary.
Challenge 3 
Join in this dance activity. This will help your child develop their listening skills and control over large movements.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=38&v=2UcZWXvgMZE&feature=emb_title
Challenge 4
Take a photograph of your child or another family member doing different actions such as running, eating and jumping. Look at the photographs with your child and talk about what the person is doing. This will help your child to increase their vocabulary of actions.
Thursday the 7th of May
Challenge 1
Share the story. ‘My mum.’ What does your mum look like? How does your mum help you?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nam3tN1VVQ
Challenge 2
Can you draw a picture of your mum? Look carefully at your mum. What colour is her hair? What colour are her eyes? How many eyes does she have? How many arms? ..etc.
Challenge 3 
Play sound games 3. This will help to develop your child’s listening skills.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/school-radio/eyfs-listening-skills-sound-games-3/znnsmfr
Challenge 4
Dance the skeleton dance. This will help your child to develop their control over large movements. Talk about how everybody has bones inside their skin. Encourage them to feel their bodies. Can you feel you hard bones? Your bones stop your body being floppy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jpvuqj5nv6U
ednesday the 6th of May
Challenge 1 
Join in the song from the book ‘Head to Toe’ by Eric Carle. This will help your child to develop their listening skills and increase their vocabulary.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDOBp9C2FmI
Challenge 2
Use a large doll/teddy/character toy. Say to your child ‘Ready steady jump’ and do it together. Let your child make the toy do the same actions – you could try jumping, hopping, kicking, dancing, clapping and waving. This will help your child learn what ‘action words’ (verbs) mean.
Challenge 3
Compare the size of different family members. Who is the tallest or shortest. Who has got the biggest or smallest feet? etc. This will help your child increase their vocabulary of size and be able to talk about similarities and differences.
Challenge 4 
Can you make a fingerprint, handprint or footprint using paint? 
Challenge 5
Play sounds game 2. This will help develop your child’s listening skills.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/school-radio/eyfs-listening-skills-sound-games-2/zd8dgwx
Tuesday the 5th of May
Challenge 1
Share the story ‘I Don’t Want Curly Hair ‘ by Laura Ellen Anderson. This well help develop your child’s communication and listening skills. Talk about what your child looks like. Compare them to the little girl in the story. This will help them to understand they have similarities and differences to others.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7WpeO8UJSI
Challenge 2
Sing and copy the actions ‘Here we go round the Mulberry Bush’. You can add other actions – this is the way we pat our knees/wiggle our fingers/shake our shoulders. This will help your child know the vocabulary of body parts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzYKpPGTkrI
You can also try:
Sing and make up your own actions to the song ‘If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands.’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwTwt4oIW3U
Challenge 3
Draw around your child’s hand and other members of the family. Who has got the biggest hand? Who has got the smallest hand? Which hand is small, bigger and the biggest? This will help your child develop the vocabulary of size.
Challenge 4
Write the name of the person whose hand it is. This will help your child understand that writing has meaning.
Monday the 4th May
This week we will be finding out about our bodies.
Please check purplemash because I have added a new pin at the top of the page labelled pins.
Challenge 1
Sing ‘Head Shoulders Knees and Toes’ and join in with the actions. This will help your child develop their communication skills and control over large movements.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZanHgPprl-0
Challenge 2
Using old wallpaper or pieces of paper draw around you chilld. Name the parts of their body. This will help to develop your child’s vocabulary of body parts.
Challenge 3
Count how many eyes, ears, noses, mouths, arms, legs, fingers and toes. This will help to develop your child’s vocabulary and counting skills.
Challenge 4
This activity is for older children who are going to start Reception in September. This help to develop their listening skills.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/school-radio/eyfs-listening-skills-sound-story/zhq792p
Friday 1st of May
Listen to this radio program to complete some of todays challenges.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/school-radio/listen-and-play-rockets-and-spaceships/z7xmd6f
Challenge 1
Pretend to be a rocket and count backwards from ten like a rocket.
Challenge 2
Sing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.
Challenge 3
Listen to the story about Martin the Space Dog. Would you like to go into space? What would you like to see?
Challenge 4
Sing five littlemen in a flying saucer.
Challenge 5
Log on to Purpemash using your username and password. Press the pin at the top to do the space activites.
http://www.purplemash.co.uk/sch/hortonmill
Thursday 30th of April
Challenge 1
Share the story Peace At Last by Jill Murphy. Talk about the sounds they can hear? What sounds do you hear at night time? Look carefully at the illustrations. What can you see? What sound does it make? This will help to develop your child’s listening skills and understanding of the world around them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9U9y35kWBvM
Challenge 2
Watch the video about animals that come out at night. What is the animal called? What does it look like? What is it doing? This will help develop your child’s understanding about the world around them.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/clips/zsshfg8
Challenge 3
Can you do Andy’s wild night time workout? This will help your child develop their control of their large movements.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p06tmnby/andys-wild-workouts-series-1-5-night-time
Challenge 4
Can you make a picture of a hedgehog?
Wednesday the 29th of April
Challenge 1
Share the story Oi Frog by Kes Gray and Jim Field. Talk about what the animals sit on. Do they notice that the words rhyme? Sharing books that rhyme and singing Nursery rhymes helps children to begin to recognise rhyming words.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItLi6xx4YEY
Challenge 2
Play the occupations listening game. This will help to develop your child’s listening skills.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/school-radio/eyfs-listening-skills-jobs/zh8dgwx
Challenge 3
Can you do Andy’s wild workout? This will help to develop your child’s control over their large movements.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p06tmrxy/andys-wild-workouts-series-1-7-up-in-the-air
Challenge 4
Can you draw some zig zag, wavy lines and circles? 
Tuesday the 28th of April
Challenge 1 
Watch the stop motion animation of the story ‘How to catch a star’ by Oliver Jeffers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzEO6SaWu7A
Talk about what is happening and going to happen next. This will help develop your child’s communication and reading skills.
Challenge 2
Go on a night time adventure workout with Andy. This will help your child to develop their control over large movements.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p06tmnby/andys-wild-workouts-series-1-5-night-time
Challenge 3
Play the animal habitats listening game to help your child develop their listening skills.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/school-radio/eyfs-listening-skills-animals-and-habitats/z7bgnrd
Challenge 4
Watch the video about feeling happy. Talk to your child about when you and they feel happy? Talking to children about their feelings helps them develop a vocabulary to explain how they feel. When you notice them smiling or laughing talk to them about it. I think you feel happy because you are smiling. Why are you feeling happy? When you play with your cars I think it makes you feel happy because you are smiling. When I give you a cuddle it makes me feel happy. Can you see I am feeling happy because I am smiling.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/class-clips-video/pshe-eyfs-ks1-feeling-happy/znnhvk7
Challenge 5
Sing the song and do the actions. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_1-TrP9jwA
Count how many men are left each time to develop their counting skills.
Five little men in a flying saucer
Five little men in a flying saucer
(hold up hand to show five digits)
Flew round the world one day
(flat hand spinning around in a circle shape)
They looked left and right
(children look from side to side)
But they didn’t like the sight
(children shake heads)
So one little man flew away
Weeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!
Four little men in a flying saucer
Flew round the world one day
They looked left and right
But they didn’t like the sight
So one little man flew away
Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!
(repeat actions)
Three little men in a flying saucer
Flew round the world one day
They looked left and right
But they didn’t like the sight
So one little man flew away
Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!
(repeat actions)
Two little men in a flying saucer
Flew round the world one day
They looked left and right
But they didn’t like the sight
So one little man flew away
(repeat actions)
One little man in a flying saucer
Flew round the world one day
He looked left and right
But he didn’t like the sight
So one man flew away!
(repeat actions)
Monday the 27th of April
Challenge 1
Share the story ‘How to catch a star’ by Oliver Jeffers by pressing the link below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDMnOx7w6OA
Look carefully at the illustrations and talk about what you can see. Talk about what is happening in the story and what will happen next. This will help your child develop their reading and communication skills.
Challenge 2
Sing the song Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
Song – Twinkle, twinkle little star
Twinkle, twinkle little star
(Hold hands up about shoulder height. Open and close hands)
How I wonder what you are
(Raise shoulders and hold hands out)
Up above the world so high
(Raise hands high and make a round shape)
Like a diamond in the sky
(Form forefinger and thumb from each hand in a diamond shape)
Twinkle, twinkle little star
(Hold hands up about shoulder height. Open and close hands)
How I wonder what you are.
(Raise shoulders and hold hands out)
Twinkle, twinkle little star
(Hold hands up about shoulder height and wriggle fingers)
How I wonder what you are
(Raise shoulders and hold hands out)
Up above the world so high
(Raise hands high and make a round shape)
Like a diamond in the sky
(Form forefinger and thumb from each hand in a diamond shape)
Twinkle, twinkle little star
(Hold hands up about shoulder height and wriggle fingers)
How I wonder what you are
(Raise shoulders and hold hands out)
Help the children to join in and follow the actions as they sing the rhyme.
For subsequent hearings you can introduce additional actions:
Line 1: twinkling fingers
Line 2: point to head, looking puzzled
Line 3: point up to sky
Line 4: make a diamond shape with fingers of both hands
Line 5: as line 1
Line 6: as line 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCjJyiqpAuU&vl=en
This will help your child develop their gross motor control, understanding of rhyme and rhythm and develop their communication skills.
Challenge 3
Play the outside sounds programme
https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/school-radio/eyfs-outside-sounds/zjyvt39
This will help your child develop their listening skills.
Challenge 4
Draw a picture of yourself and copy your name underneath. This will help develop your child’s mark making skills.
Challenge 5
Make some ‘Space’ play-dough:
Basic long-life play-dough
2 cups of plain flour
1 cup of salt
2 cups of water
2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
2 teaspoons of cream of tartar
Put all the ingredients in a saucepan and cook over a medium heat.
Stir the mixture until it comes away from the side of the pan.
Allow to cool, and then knead well.
Store in an airtight container, for best results keep in the fridge.
You can also place all the ingredients in a microwave dish and cook for about 3.5 minutes,
stirring after each minute.
Add food colouring, flavoured essences and glitter to make ‘space’ play-dough and use this to make play-dough stars and planets. This will help develop your child’s fine motor skills which will help them get ready for learning to write.
Friday the 24th of April
Challenge 1
Watch the video of Up, up, up and join in singing. This will help your child develop their communication skills. To make it a bit trickier talk about the words that rhyme such as moon, balloon and soon.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lrd0TiER_J0
Challenge 2
Look at planet earth from space. Talk about what you can see. What colours can you see? What do you think the blue is? What do you think the green is? What shapes is the earth? This will help your child develop an understanding of the world around them and develop their communication skills.
https://www.esa.int/kids/fr/Multimedia/Videos/Paxi_sur_l_ISS/A_view_of_Earth
Challenge 3
Can you go on a circle or a sphere hunt? This will help your child develop an ability to recognise shapes in the environment.
Challenge 4
Can you draw some circles? Can you draw big circles? Can you draw small circles? This will help your child develop their control of mark making.
Challenge 5
Play the inside sounds listening game by pressing the link below.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/school-radio/eyfs-listening-skills-journeys/zfwjcqt
Thursday 23rd April Daily Challenges
Challenge 1
Can you listen to the moon rhyme? Listen again and try to join in. This will help develop your child’s early reading skills and communication skills. https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/watch/cbeebies-prom-moon-rhyme?collection=cbeebies-proms
Challenge 2
Mr Tumble is pretending to be an astronaut. Can you pretend to be an astronaut? This will help develop your child’s imagination.
Challenge 3
Give your child simple instructions to follow. This will help their listening skills and understanding of words.
Can you find a brush?
Can you find a spoon?
Can you find a book?
Can you find a sock?
Put the objects around the room.
Hop to the sock.
Jump to the book.
Crawl to the spoon.
Wriggle to the brush.
Ask them to tell you what to do.
Challenge 4
Make some moon sand. Can you make some moon mountains. This will help develop your child’s fine motor skills and imagination.
Just add baby oil to flour (a 1 to 8 ratio), glitter (optional)
Challenge 5
Can you draw a spaceship? Can your child talk about the marks they have made?
Wednesday 22nd April Daily Challenges
Alpha the alien has come to planet earth to go on a treasure hunt. Can you help him?
Challenge 1 Can you find some objects that begin with the sound s? What are they called? How do you use them? Can you describe them?
Challenge 2 Can you find 5 socks? What colour are they? What patterns can you see?Are they big or small?
Challenge 3 Can you share the story by pressing the link below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGqAw7UM6qo
Challenge 4 Play the space counting game
https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/puzzles/space-counting-quiz
Challenge 5 Can you make a moon or some stars to stick on your bedroom wall or ceiling with Blu Tac.
Daily Challenges Tuesday 21st of April
Challenge 1 Share the ‘Five little men story’ https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resource/t-t-5343-5-little-men-in-a-flying-saucer-powerpoint
Challenge 2 Watch the video and join in the counting and singing the song ‘Five little men in a flying saucer’.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2E3p_51tJx0
Challenge 3 Can you draw or make an Alien? ( drawing and playdough)
Challenge 4 Can you find five green objects in your house? Count them. What are they? How do you use them? Can you describe them? Are they big/ small/ shiny/pointy?
Monday 20th April
Challenge 1
This weeks story is Whatever Next by Jill Murphy.
Watch the video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6c5cb0u0rPM
Talk to your child about what is happening in the illustrations. What is going to happen next?
Challenge 2
Watch the footage of the Space Launch. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UG3w3boGiS8
What can you see? What is happening? Would you like to travel on a space shuttle?
Challenge 3
Learn to sing ‘Zoom, zoom, zoom, we are going to the moon’. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEHBrmZxAf8
Challenge 4
Can you make a toilet roll rocket?
Daily Challenge Monday the 20th of April.
This week I am going to set challenges linked to Space.
Thursday the 2nd of April
Challenge 1
Sing the song five little ducks
Click the link below to join in singing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=153&v=PjDPIUCtxQ8&feature=emb_logo
Challenge 2
Can you find 5 yellow objects in your home?
Challenge 3
Can you draw or paint a picture of a duck?
Challenge 4
Play who is behind the door by clicking the link below. Press the speaker icon and name animal. Click on the door to see if you are correct.
https://www.phonicsbloom.com/uk/game/list/phonics-games-phase-1
Challenge 5
Join in dancing Head Shoulders Knees and Toes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybwzOP3z2Ds
Wednesday the 1st of April
Challenge 1
Share the story Where is the green sheep by Judy Horeck by clicking the link below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Y6oPmlf1gM
or watch the animation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSTaQ0H5jC4
Challenge 2
Can you draw or make a sheep? What colour is your sheep?
Challenge 3
Press the link below and join in singing.
Challenge 4
Go on a colour hunt around your home.
Can you find something red, yellow, pink, green, blue and orange?
What is it?
What does it look like?
What does it feel like?
Challenge 5
Get active and join in the action song below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7aZpOPzF38
Tuesday the 24th of march
Challenge 1
Share the story Fetch using the oxford owl link below.
Talk about the pictures with your child.
What is happening?
What do you think will happen next?
Username: horton mill nursery password green
Challenge 2
Try making some play dough. Use the simple recipe below.
Making Uncooked Playdough 
2 cups of plain flour
1 cup of salt
1 tablespoon of cooking oil
1 cups of water
Powder paint or food colouring
Method
- Mix flour and salt.
- Add oil and water.
- Knead all ingredients together.
- Add food colouring.
Making Cooked Playdough
2 cups of plain flour
1 cup of salt
4 teaspoons of cream of tartar
2 tablespoons of cooking oil
2 cups of water
Powder paint of food colouring
Method
- Mix flour and salt in a pan.
- Add cream of tartar and oil.
- Add water and mix together.
- Add food colouring.
- Cook on medium for 3 to 4 minutes. Keep stirring.
Join in with playdough disco.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJQ2CaA7E50&t=55s
Wednesday 25th of March
Challenge 1
Can you sing the song Incy Wincy spider?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAJynCIsNUg
Challenge 2
Can you draw a picture of Incy Wincy spider? Please upload a photograph of your child’s picture onto the school twitter so I can see them.
Thursday the 26th of March
Challenge 1
Can you catch your ‘Flipper Flapper’ 10 times? The ‘Flipper Flapper’ is the piece of material in your Home Learning pack. How many times can other members of your family catch it? Count together.
Challenge 2
Join in singing the song ‘The wheels on the bus’ with Mrs Shabir by pressing the link below.
Sing the song ‘The Wheels on the Bus’ with Mrs Shabir.
Can you make a bus using an empty box? Take a photograph and tweet it to Horton Mill so I can see them and tweet a reply.
Challenge 3
Attach a pen or pencil to a car or other toy and make some marks.
Can you make a circle?
Can you make a straight line?
Can you make a wavy line?
Can you make a zig zag?
Can you write letters from your name copying your name card which is in the Home Learning pack?
For a tricky challenge press the link below.
Friday the 27th March
Challenge 1
Watch the story the Hungry Caterpillar.
Press the link below to watch the short film.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75NQK-Sm1YY
Talk about what the caterpillar eats and how it changes into a beautiful butterfly.
Challenge 2
- Can your child make their body small like a tiny egg.
- Then move their little finger like a tiny caterpillar.
- Wriggle their whole body like a big , fat caterpillar.
- Lift their hands above their head like a cacoon.
- Fap their arms like a beautiful butterfly.
Challenge 3
Draw a picture of a caterpillar or a butterfly.
Challenge 4
Join in singing ‘There is a tiny caterpillar on a leaf’ by clicking the link below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOlbSE0CmNM
Join in the actions by clicking
the link below.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p011sx96
Monday 3oth March
Challenge 1
Look at a baby photograph of your child.
Encourage your child to talk about how they have changed.
Challenge 2
Talk about something they can do now that they could not do as a baby.
Challenge 3
Can they jump 10 times?
Can they do 10 star jumps?
Can they balance on one leg counting to ten?
Challenge 4
Draw a picture of themself now.
Tuesday 31st of March
Challenge 1
Practice singing ‘Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star’ for our ZOOM session later.
Challenge 2
Can you draw a star or colour in a star an adult as drawn for you?
Challenge 3
Can you find a shiny object in your home?
What colour is it?
Is it big or small?
What do you use it for?
Challenge 4
How many star jumps can you do?
Challenge 5
Join Mrs Bush at 1.00pm today using ZOOM
Half Term 3
This half term we have looked at how flowers , plants and vegetables grow.
We shared the stories
The Enormous Turnip.
Press the links below to share the story and sing the song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGw5yTOPTSQ&t=50s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5Wob-H-5uY
Jaspers Beanstalk
Press the link to share the story.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jemrWJX7xJo
Use the link below for a template to help you.
https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resource/t-t-2548767-hedgehog-prickles-peg-activity
Tuesday 3oth of June
Challenge 1
Share the story ‘Emergency, emergency’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjiQBbPMMf0
Challenge 2
Talk about the emergency services. What do the, police, paramedics and firefighters do?
Challenge 3
Draw a car park on a large piece of paper e.g. spare wallpaper or use one side of a cardboard box. Write the names of a few vehicles on a sticky notes and put one in each parking space. Can your child match the vehicle to the parking space? You can point to the word saying e.g. ‘This says tractor so we need to put the tractor here.’
Wednesday the 1st of June
Challenge 1
Share the story Up, up, up
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lrd0TiER_J0
Join in singing and talk about what you can see in the video.
Challenge 2
When you go out in a car, help your child to learn the names of things e.g. wheel, tyre, bumper, bonnet, steering wheel, windscreen wipers, front, back by pointing to them and saying the name. Make sure your child hears the words often. You could take photos on your phone of the different parts of a car and let your child name each one.
Challenge 3
Sort the vehicles with and without wheels.
Transport-Wheels-or-No-Wheels-Sorting-Activity_ver_2
Thursday the 2nd of June
Challenge 1
Share the story ‘Journey home from Grandpa’s.’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKcrsv_t8Ko
Challenge 2
Colour a picture of your favourite type of transport.
Transport-Words-Colouring-Sheet-A4_ver_2
Challenge 3
Use some empty food boxes to make a model of a vehicle using scissors and sticky tape.
Friday 3rd of June
Challenge 1
Share the story ‘The train ride.’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHbE8kaBDKU
Challenge 2
Use 2 favourite toys e.g. dinosaur/teddy/Buzz Lightyear. Play a game pushing vehicles to one of the toys. Say: ‘Push the red car to Buzz’ or ‘Push the big bus to Teddy’
Challenge 3
Draw a picture of a train.