Recognizing Names

In continuation with our Be School Ready Programme we have incorporated a 'Sign In' and 'Sign Out' board just past the entrance of the Phoenix House.
Children are encouraged to find their name on the board as they enter 'In' in the morning and to put themselves 'Out' once they leave the centre for the day.

Being able to recognize their names is important as they are familiar with the letters that make up their name as well as being able to look after their named belongings and possessions.

We will also be extending this through creating individual children's writing books where they will learn to write their names and become familiar with the letters that are involved in their name as well.

Self Portraits

This month we have been putting a big focus towards our 'Be school Ready' programme where we provide learning experiences for children to engage in to help them be prepared for school.
At the beginning of the month Alisha initiated Self Portraits through painting. The children had the opportunity to look into the mirror and replicate what they saw onto the paper. Skin colour, eye colour, what they were wearing, and also small features such as eyebrows, ears, eyelashes etc.

Laura then extended this activity by repeating the same process but through Collage. The P.H children chose materials which they thought represented their features and what they were wearing while constantly looking into the mirror to replicate their look.

Self portraits are important for young children to take part in as it gives them the opportunity to become more self aware and allow them to have the freedom to create themselves from an artistic point of view and how they see themselves.  A self portrait gives children the time to study their eyes, nose, mouth and the rest of their face and body, and to work out how it all fits together – perfect for teaching children how to draw basic body shapes.

We will repeat this activity in a few months time - this way we can see how they compare to their last self portrait. Children are forever growing, changing and developing and it is important that they are aware of this and have the opportunity to draw themselves from their point of view.

Red and Green Choices

This month in the Phoenix House we have introduced 'Red and Green Choices' . This is a visual reminder of choices children should and should not be making within the centre. During mat time children were asked a number of questions and given scenarios where they would decide if the outcome would be a 'Red Choice' or a 'Green Choice'.

Over the past week we have observed that the children are recognizing these choices throughout their daily routine. E.g "We tidy up because that is a green choice"

If children do happen to be making a lot of 'Red Choices' throughout the day we refer back to the chart and see what they could be doing to be making 'Green Choices' instead.

Every day the Phoenix House teachers watch and listen to those children who are making lots of 'Green Choices' throughout the day - the child who is making smart and kind and caring choices is rewarded the 'Green Choice' necklace to wear for the day as well as picking a sticker from the special stickers box :)