Dream
Believe
Dare
Our topic is: Why Do Spiders Eat Flies?
Role play: Minibeast Lab/Baby Clinic/Camp Site
Subject
English
Communication
and Language
Mathematics
Physical
Development
Understanding the
World
The children will be learning to:
How you can help at home
Listen to and join in with stories and rhymes about
minibeasts
Book focus: The Very Hungry Caterpillar, There was
an Old Lady who Swallowed a Fly, The Bad
Tempered Ladybird
Write their name, say and write some letter sounds,
write lists and labels for different minibeasts and
parts of their body
Make a zigzag book describing the life cycle of a
butterfly and write instructions on how to look after
a snail
Communicate in sentences and retell stories, talking
about the characters
Describe different minibeasts
Visit your local library and find
books about minibeasts
Make sure your child makes
eye contact with you when
talking
Talk about what they have
done/learnt about at Nursery
Ask your child questions,
ensuring they listen and
respond
Sort, match and count our minibeast collection
Count the number of legs each minibeast has
Use positional language, i.e. first, second, after,
before, last and finally
Find the number which is one more
Talk about size using mathematical vocabulary
Encourage your child to identify shapes
Encourage your child to recognise numbers and
match the correct digit to the correct amount of
objects
Hold a pencil with a tripod grip and write their name
as well as some other letters
Paint, draw and write on a large scale
Use tools such as scissors confidently and safely
Use tweezers, playdough, tools etc. to develop coordination
Move their bodies with confidence, controlling
speed and direction
Use our outdoor area to develop skills in negotiating
space, climbing and sliding
Sing number songs and rhymes
at home, e.g. There were Ten in
the Bed, etc. - ask Nursery staff
for a list if you run out of ideas
Talk about size of everyday
objects using vocabulary such as
small/big, little/large, tall/short,
heavy/light, etc.
Find shapes in the environment
Use binoculars and magnifying glasses to look at
things that are far away and small
Make a minibeast habitat using natural materials -
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Help your child with writing
letters in their name
Remind your child to grip a
pencil correctly and sit in the
correct position when writing
Help your child develop their
fine motor skills by using
scissors
Encourage independence putting on and taking off
coats, doing up buttons and
zips, going to the toilet and
remembering to wash hands
Go for a ‘Bug hunt’ in the
garden or in the park
Talk about minibeasts, ask
Dream
Expressive
Art & Design
Personal, Social
and Emotional
Development
Believe
soil, twigs, leaves and stones
Observe how minibeasts feed, grow, change and
escape or hide from danger
Create a pond with plastic creatures
Make a minibeast tent
Understand that creatures must be returned to their
environment to survive
Select and complete programs on an iPad
Use a CD player independently
Make spider webs using glitter and silver pens on
black paper; make clay models of minibeasts
Investigate mark making with different sized
brushes and markers; paint outside using water and
large paint brushes
Use a range of materials, e.g. wool, raffia and
ribbon, to weave a web; create a minibeast using
brightly coloured materials
Sing songs and rhymes about spiders; tap out
simple repeated rhythms; imitate movements in
response to music
Care for themselves and others
Form friendships with other children
Select and use activities and resources
To show understanding and cooperate with
boundaries and routines
Role play camping and investigating minibeasts
Dare
questions, e.g. Which ones can
fly? What do they need to
survive? Where can you find
them?
Paint and draw pictures of
minibeasts
Use yoghurt pots to create a
model of a minibeast
Go on a minibeast expedition
Listen to music, tapping or
clapping out rhythms
Model pretend play when
playing with your child.
Allow your child to make
choices and help them to
understand that it may mean
they cannot do something else
Provide your child with
familiar routines and include
opportunities for them to help
in various tasks, e.g. setting
the table, putting toys away,
dusting etc.
Other information:
Please can we have photographs of any special events or family celebrations – we would like your child to
bring them in to share with us.
We will continue to meet with you individually to discuss your child’s progress and next steps in learning.
If you have any questions, need ideas with supporting your child’s learning or would just like a chat
please pop into the Nursery to speak to a member of the Nursery Team.
Thank you for your support!
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