W/C 12th October 2026
Another great week in Nursery!
The children have had another exciting week filled with stories, discussions and hands-on learning experiences. This week, we have been exploring the wonderful story Owl Babies, learning about nocturnal animals and discussing our feelings and worries. We have also been developing our mathematical skills by exploring and comparing shapes, while continuing to strengthen our fine motor skills to support our early writing. Here is a little look at what we have been learning this week, along with some ideas for how you can support your child's learning at home!
Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSED) and Understanding the World (UTW) – Owl Babies, Feelings and Nocturnal Animals
This week, we have been enjoying the story Owl Babies and exploring the world of owls and other nocturnal animals. We have been learning about the differences between day and night, using contrasting language such as light and dark and daytime and nighttime. The children have been looking at pictures of different times of day and discussing the activities they enjoy doing during the day and at night.
Through the story, we have also been thinking about how the young owls might feel when their mummy is away. We have explored feelings such as being scared, worried or lonely and created our own worry tree, where the children have been invited to draw pictures of things that might worry them. We have encouraged the children to talk about their worries, helping them understand that sharing their feelings can make them feel better. We have also discussed the importance of being kind and sensitive to other people's feelings.
How you can support at home: Share the story Owl Babies with your child and talk about how the little owls might be feeling. Ask questions such as, “How do you think the owls feel when their mummy is away?” and “What helps you feel safe when you are worried?” You could also talk about the differences between daytime and nighttime, discussing what you see in the sky and which animals might be awake after dark.
Mathematics – Exploring and Comparing Shapes
In Maths, we have been developing our understanding of shapes by matching and comparing simple shapes to see whether they are the same or different. The children have been encouraged to look carefully at the features of shapes and use descriptive language such as ‘pointy’, ‘round’ and ‘straight’ to explain what they notice. Through practical activities and shape-matching games, we have been building the children's confidence in recognising similarities and differences and explaining their mathematical thinking.
How you can support at home: Go on a shape hunt around your home! Look for everyday objects such as round plates, square cushions, rectangular books and triangular pictures. Encourage your child to compare two objects and explain what they notice. You could ask, “Are these shapes the same or different?” or “What can you tell me about this shape?” Remember to encourage your child to describe shapes in their own words.
Physical Development – Fine Motor Skills and Early Writing
We have continued to develop our fine motor skills through activities that help strengthen the small muscles in our hands and fingers. These skills are important for building control, coordination and confidence when using pencils and other writing tools. Through a range of practical activities, the children are continuing to develop the foundations needed for early mark making and future writing.
How you can support at home: Encourage your child to take part in activities such as playing with playdough, threading beads or pasta, using construction toys, completing jigsaws and drawing with crayons or pencils. You could also encourage them to make marks in sand, flour or shaving foam (with appropriate supervision). These activities are a fun way to strengthen little fingers and develop the control needed for writing.
Thank you for your continued support with your child's learning and development. We hope you enjoy sharing stories, exploring shapes and talking about feelings together at home.
Have a lovely weekend!