This week in the Barrier Reef Early Years unit, we continued to learn within our exciting new topic Outer Space. The children have been deeply engaged, curious, and enthusiastic as they explored space through play, investigation, creativity, and music.

As scientists, the children learned about astronauts and discovered that astronauts are real people who travel into space as their job. They explored why astronauts float by learning about gravity and comparing how objects fall on Earth. The children asked thoughtful questions and shared their ideas confidently.

As explorers, the children had lots of fun pretending to become astronauts in our water tray. They matched bolts and washers together while wearing gloves, just like astronauts do during space walks. This activity also supported children’s fine motor development, hand–eye coordination, and perseverance.

As communicators, the children talked about what they noticed, listened carefully to others, and used new space vocabulary such as astronaut, rocket, space station, gravity, and float and they have been deeply engaged in creating narratives and confidently using new vocabulary while playing with space-themed toys in our small world area.

As artists, the children explored space through wax relief painting inspired by stars, planets, and the night sky, using wax crayons and watercolour paints to express their own ideas.

As musicians, we enjoyed our music session by singing simple songs confidently, moving and performing actions to the beat of the music. The children played instruments to the pulse (or heartbeat) and explored playing instruments to the rhythm (the pattern of the words), showing excellent enthusiasm and focus.

Important Reminders:

Children in Reception need to practise their reading at home every day for 5 minutes to help build confidence, fluency, and a love of reading and to support the work we are doing with the children in school. 

Spare clothes: Please ensure your child has a set of spare clothes in school. These do not need to be school uniform.

Bookbags: Please check your child’s bookbag regularly for school correspondence and any homework, such as reading books or handwriting practice. Bookbags must be in school every day.

Planetarium experience: Payment of £7.20 for the Reception children’s planetarium experience is due by Friday 23rd January. Payments can be made via MCAS or by paying cash into the school office.

Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to another exciting week of space learning with the children. 

Enjoy your weekend
The Barrier Reef Early Years Team