Jade and Ava noticed their children were trying to climb on everything within the room…. They seemed obsessed!!

So what did they do? As every intuitive practitioner should, they got the soft play equipment out when they went outside to play so they could both feed their children’s desire to climb but in a safe, suitable, challenging way

The needs of little brains were certainly being met as little bodies could climb, climb, climb away… xxxx

(…. and it’s ESSENTIAL we do too!!)

Putting our bodies and balance to the test as we engage in movement play outside on the soft play mats… Fiona demonstrated, scaffolded and joined in too and her children were all moving in the most marvellous of ways as their coordination and control developed as pathways were forged within their brains!!

When children move this builds critical neural pathways within their brains and this develops their physical competency.

So the more repeated physical experiences they encounter, their sensory receptors increase and this leads to the subsequent cementing of neural pathways within their brains.

The more repetition of movement they experience the more these movements become fully automated…

Once these movements are automated our children’s brains are then free to process other ‘thinking’ tasks such as talking, listening, planning and problem-solving as they are not having to think about the mechanics of how they are moving, as this part is then automatic!

Each repetitive function they experience (through play) becomes an automated movement in time, therefore our children need frequent, varied opportunities to move often and refine their physical skills as the more they move the more they will learn and, in turn, the more their bodies and brains will be able to do!!

Movement play is marvellously fun, but also absolutely essential to get those brains and bodies working really hard!

Admit it though, you thought we were just ‘playing’ didn’t you?! xxxx

This little one manipulated pegs effectively to place them carefully exactly where he wanted them on his board.

Colours were discussed, emerging patterns were spotted and imaginations were used as the carefully-placed pegs were ascribed meaning as the desired picture was created!

All this whilst little fingers were being strengthened and control and coordination was worked upon…. and, of course, …. THE BEST concentration faces emerged too!!! xxxx

Last week we had firefighters with their fire engine and this week we have had a visit from our local police officers with their police van!!

It was AMAZING… our children got to explore the whole van and see what it’s like to drive, through to what it’s like to be locked in the back!! (Not that any of our Jolly children will ever get to see the back of a police van apart from on this one very special occasion we’re sure….)

We looked at the uniforms the officers wear and all their clothing and kit… the children loved to slip their hands into their handcuffs!

The police offers talked about how they help to keep us all safe (and obviously catch the ‘baddies’ as all our children all said!!) and our children know that if they see a police officer in their uniform they can ask them for help if they were ever to find themselves lost or worried

The best bit though…. the sirens!!!!! We heard them from inside the van and it was brilliant… one little one even started raving along to them!!

Thank you so much for visiting and bringing your amazing police van and all the mini uniforms and hats and for letting us explore the van and ask our questions.

You will be inspiring so much future learning, role-playing and fun here at Jollies!! Xxxx

Artistic ways and easel-loving days spent creating here at Jollies xxxx

We just adore these books as a nursery… for a book with so few words there’s just so much conversation to be had together What can be seen? What can be felt? What can be heard? And… where’s the mouse? Soooo many textures to be felt and so much discussion to be had…

Which ‘That’s Not My…’ is your favourite to share together? Xxxx

Getting creative with paint, but then adding an exciting extra dimension with the craft shape punches…

This little one tried really hard to use the shape hole punches and his perseverance paid off when different shapes were added to the edge of his masterpiece… He would give himself a little cheer every time he managed to do it, even though it was a bit tricky at first, it was worth the extra effort.

Finger strengthening days and crafty ways spent creating here at Jollies xxxx

We can’t thank the Rothwell crew enough for coming to visit us last week and they have certainly inspired us within nursery… Free-Flow spent all day Friday making their very own fire engine and then they created hoses to put out mini firesall around the room as they role-played imaginatively together…

Role-playing days and the most creative of ways spent learning together here at Jollies xxxx

Yesterday we were all very giddy and full of smiles here at Jollies when a real-life HUGE fire engine came to visit us!

We were able to have a turn at sitting inside the truck and they fired it up so we could have a turn at spraying water using the very long hose on the engine.

The fire fighters told us how they helped to put out fires and showed us all the equipment they had in their truck… they had a lot of interesting stuff to help keep everybody safe!!

We saw their blue flashing lights too and as they exited the car park they sounded their very loud siren which made us all giggle and clap from inside the building…

What an exciting day and the HUGEST of thanks to the lovely Rothwell crew for coming out and showing us their amazing fire engine.

They’ve already inspired so much role-play both inside and out and we have some terrific 3D huge fire engines being created as we speak this morning too xxxx

Our children are starting to settle into their new rooms beautifully and the strongest key person bonds are already forming…

This bond is HUGE for both us and our children and their parents and at Jollies we have such amazing, supportive parents who work in such close partnership with us and for this we are all truly grateful!

Our parents/carers have all been unspeakably kind as they have left rooms and they have written such touching words in their thank you cards and they have spoilt Team Jollies with such wonderful treats and pressies too… some make us almost cry as they are so touching and some make us cry with laughter as our parents clearly know their children, and us, well

Thank you all for your kindness and generosity xxxx