Reception Blog - 27/03/2026

25th March 2026

A Week of Flour, Fun, and Following the Little Red Hen!

What a busy, "cluck-tastic" week we’ve had! Our classroom has been transformed into a bustling farmyard as we dived headfirst into the classic tale of The Little Red Hen. From rolling up our sleeves in the kitchen to mastering new math skills, here is a look at our whirlwind of learning.

🎨 Artistry and Accuracy

We started the week by honing our fine motor skills and attention to detail. Following step-by-step instructions, the children created their very own Little Red Hen masterpieces.

But we didn’t stop at just painting! To boost our literacy, we practiced labeling our artwork. Whether it was the hen’s "beak," "feathers," or the "golden wheat," the children worked hard to match their phonics knowledge to their beautiful drawings.

✍️ Storytellers in the Making

After reading the story, we explored the importance of hard work and helping others. The children took on the role of authors, retelling and rewriting key parts of the story. We saw some fantastic creative writing, with many students focusing on that famous repeated refrain: "Not I!" said the lazy dog...

🥖 The Doughy Details: Role Play & Baking

The sensory table was a massive hit this week! We set up playdough baking challenges where the children had to follow "recipes" to create pretend loaves, rolls, and cakes. This role play helped them practice the vocabulary of baking—kneading, stretching, and shaping.

Of course, we couldn't just pretend to bake forever. Just like the Little Red Hen, we got to work making the real deal! The smell of fresh bread filled the classroom, and the best part was definitely the taste test at the end. (And yes, unlike the sleepy dog and cat, everyone helped with the eating!)

🔢 Math Corner: Halving and Doubling

●      Finding Half: We practiced sharing our amounts equally between two friends, learning that a half is one of two equal parts.

●      Doubling Recap: We revisited our doubling skills. If we have 4 seeds, and we double them, how many do we have now?

Math Tip: Ask your child at home to show you how they can find half of their snack—it's a great way to keep the learning going!

We are so proud of how hard the children worked this week. They truly proved that, unlike the lazy farm animals, they are ready to jump in and help!

 A note from Mrs Hutchinson: 

What a wonderful day was had by all at The Sycamore Centre! We developed our collaborative skills, exploratory skills, self regulation and gross motor skills through a variety of fun, play-based activities. As always, the children were wonderful and staff at the centre commented on their behaviour and interactions. Long lasting memories have been made by all. Many thanks to all of the wonderful volunteers who joined us on the day.