Winter weather has a number of benefits for children. Winter weather brings children opportunities to explore changes in their environment from sunny spells to autumn chills and snow days. Our children explore the outdoor areas are in all types of weather. Children burn off more energy when playing outdoors in colder weathers, children continue to receive vitamin D which also helps uplift moods and emotional wellbeing. Children experience new types of sensory play when collecting autumn leaves, playing in the snow and rain. Children learn to problem solve and think critically in a different environment. Outdoor play in winter weather also help build the immune system and children learn and practice independence skills through dressing up activities to wrap up warm!

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Growing is so much fun! Gardening and growing activities are a fun and enjoyable way in which children get to explore so many different topics. We learn about nature, where food comes from, science, growth, nutrition and most importantly about caring for our environment. Look at things we have been growing in our nurseries. let’s keep growing!

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Sensory play is any play that stimulates your child’s senses. Taste, smell, sight, hearing are all part of sensory experiences. Language development, fine motor skills, problem solving, cognitive growth and social development are all benefits of sensory play. Sensory play plays a critical role in building nerve connections in the brain pathways which lead to children being able to complete complex tasks. At Ollie Owls we provide opportunities for children to actively use their senses to explore a variety of sensory play and activities.

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We celebrated children’s mental health week at our nurseries. We encouraged children to talk about and understand our feelings and emotions and focused on expressing ourselves. We did this through helicopter stories, mark making activities, sensory play in sand and water and lots of discussions over our emotions. If you are looking for tips or resources then please visit https://www.childrensmentalhealthweek.org.uk/

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