Our new topic, “Oh I do like to be beside the seaside”, has sparked plenty of curiosity and creativity. A trail of shells, buckets and spades led us to our first story, Toddle Waddle, with the children joining in enthusiastically with its catchy rhyming couplets. Lucy and Tom Go to the Seaside captured imaginations – especially the idea of donkey rides – and inspired some wonderful collaborative sandcastle building in the sandpit. Splash, Anna Hibiscus! and Winnie and Wilbur at the Seaside brought laughter, lively play and a timely reminder to keep belongings away from the tide.
Rhyme has been a big focus throughout, with children spotting, matching and inventing their own, both real and wonderfully silly. Phonics has been equally active: licking imaginary lollipops for ‘l’, wobbling like jelly for ‘j’, and feeling the tickle of ‘v’ on their lips.
A joyful few weeks – just like a day at the seaside.