Ladybird Room – Autumn Update
As autumn sets in, we’re excited to share some seasonal updates from our Ladybirds – under 3s Room at First Steps Cornwall. This season, we’re embracing the cooler weather with fun, educational activities that help your little ones grow while keeping them engaged and entertained.
Exploring Autumnal Changes
Autumn brings a wonderful opportunity for the children to explore the world around them. In the Ladybird Room, we’ve introduced nature walks where the children can discover the beauty of falling leaves, acorns, and pinecones. These sensory experiences help stimulate their curiosity while introducing them to the changing seasons. During outdoor play, we’ve been focusing on developing motor skills, with activities like leaf collecting and jumping in piles of leaves!
GALLERY
- Autumn colour painting
- Nature creation
- Process Art
- Exploring textures
- Investigating materials
- Using fine and gross motor skills
- Promoting independence
Mini Scientists: Mixing Colours
Our little ones have been channeling their inner scientists with an exciting new experiment—mixing colours! Using autumn tones like red, yellow, and green, the children have been exploring how different colours combine to create new ones. Whether they’re swirling paints together or using coloured water in clear containers, these activities engage their curiosity and encourage critical thinking. Watching their faces light up as they discover new shades is a true highlight of our autumn term!
Sensory Play: Gloop and Pumpkin Fun
Sensory play continues to be a core part of our day in the Ladybird Room. This autumn, we’ve introduced sensory gloop—a fun, squishy mixture made from cornflour and water. The children have been mesmerised by the unique texture, which changes from solid to liquid when touched. This activity is fantastic for developing their fine motor skills and offers a wonderfully tactile experience. Additionally, pumpkin-scented play-dough with hints of cinnamon and nutmeg has added a seasonal twist to their hands-on exploration.
Autumn Baking: Shortbread Fun
This season, we’ve also introduced baking sessions to the Ladybird Room! The children had a wonderful time making autumn-themed shortbread biscuits. From mixing the ingredients to using leaf-shaped cookie cutters, every child played a part in the process. Not only did this help with their hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills, but it also gave them a sense of accomplishment. And, of course, everyone loved tasting the delicious shortbread at the end!
Creative Crafts for Little Hands
What’s to come in our indoor/outdoor activities this Autumn! Autumn-themed arts and crafts will take centre stage, the children will use natural materials like leaves, acorns, and sticks to create their own masterpieces. These sessions are designed to develop fine motor skills and encourage creative expression. The room is filled with the children’s colourful creations, which are proudly displayed on our walls.
Focus on Personal, Social, and Emotional Development
As always, we continue to focus on each child’s personal, social, and emotional development. Group activities like autumn-themed songs and circle time help foster a sense of community and collaboration. We’re encouraging the children to share their thoughts and feelings, building confidence and emotional awareness.
Autumn in the Ladybird Room is all about exploration, creativity, and fun. We look forward to continuing to nurture your little ones as they experience this magical season!
