The children in Rosemary Nursery Class 2 have shown a wonderful interest in animals this week, which linked perfectly with our core book, Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell. Through the story, the children explored new vocabulary and talked about the different animals they encountered, comparing the illustrations in the book with real-life images. This encouraged lots of curiosity, conversation and careful observation.

As part of our learning, the children developed their communication and listening skills by taking part in animal sound games. They listened closely to a variety of animal noises and used their knowledge to identify which animal made each sound. The interactive game was a huge hit, helping children to build their attention, listening and language skills while having fun together.

The children’s interest in animals also led to discussions about where different animals live. They created their own small world habitats using cardboard boxes, decorating them with felt tip pens and tissue paper. To make their habitats even more realistic, the children took their learning outdoors and searched the garden for natural materials such as crunchy leaves and small twigs. This creative activity encouraged imaginative play, problem-solving and a deeper understanding of the natural world.

It has been lovely to see the children following their interests, working together and developing their knowledge of animals through hands-on exploration and play.