TEY-10.2

RESEARCHERS Show children some useful child-friendly non-fiction websites and challenge them to become researchers. Go to natgeokids.com and find out about animals, space and famous people from the past. Look at the spotter sheets at wildlifewatch.org.uk/seasonal-wildlife/ autumn and design their own list of things to find in Autumn. GOOGLE EARTH Look at Google Maps on the computer and find the location of your nursery or school. Can the children locate their addresses and other local features or buildings? Model changing the view so children see the satellite view of their surroundings. Is it easier to find landmarks in this view? Show them how to explore using photos of specific buildings and features. Extend this activity by looking at Google Earth and letting children choose places to explore. KEEPING SAFE ONLINE Share Chicken Clicking, by Jeanne Willis, with the children. This rhyming picture book illustrates the dangers of putting personal information online and of over sharing. Chicken Clicking wants to make friends online and uploads a picture of herself including some personal details. Her new friend is not ‘all as it seems’ – a cautionary tale that it is never too soon to share. Talk about this new type of ‘stranger danger’ and the importance of not sharing their own personal details online. The plus side of screen time The new EYFS guidelines for 2020 controversially do not include any reference to technology and children’s ability to use computers, tablets and cameras. And yet they do aim to ‘strengthen literacy and numeracy outcomes’, both of which can be significantly supported by some of the activities recommended in this article. Clearly, some children may spend too much time on screens, but to ignore it as a helpful resource in the early years seems short- sighted. During the Covid 19 crisis many children have only been able to access their education through online platforms, so their ability to do this is surely essential. BUSY THINGS Go to www.busythings.co.uk and discover activities and games for Art and Music as well as The World, Number, Space and shape, and Communication, all important parts of the EYFS curriculum. There are specific sections for nurseries including lots of free trials of games and also a family area. The art activities include a really accessible painting app called ‘Busy paint and publisher’ and some authentic ‘Aboriginal dot painting’ along with lots of colouring. For musical rhythms and sounds, try ‘Bobble Beat’ and ‘Colour choir’. ILLUSTRATOR ART Many children’s authors are also award- winning illustrators. A quick exploration of their websites reveals some great resources on how to create some artworks that will look very familiar to children. Learn to draw with Nick Sharrat at nicksharrat.com , check out activities to print, colour and make at www. oliverjeffersworld.com , and check out how Quentin Blake tells stories with his drawings at quentinblake.com . TABLET ARTISTS There are some really good apps for exploring art, music and design. Most tablets will have a free Drawing pad app that allows children to draw and paint to their heart’s content and without running out of paper or resources. Drawings are automatically saved to avoid disappointments. Show the children some examples of professional Ipad art by David Hockney to inspire them. Try singing along with the nursery rhymes sung by the animals in ‘Animal Band’. ‘Loopimal’ is a very creative musical app that allows children to create loops and sequences and develops music and ICT skills simultaneously. TIP: Children can develop their personal, social and emotional skills by playing an online game together at bbc.co.uk/ cbeebies/ games/ waffle-and- friends-game. In ‘Waffle and friends’ there are dual controls so two children can work co-operatively on the game. Have fun online together. Understanding the world Judith Harries is an author and teacher of music and drama, with experience of working with children aged nine months to 11 years. Expressive arts and design Teachearlyyears.com 33