Research in early childhood education has since confirmed that Friedrich Froebel was indeed on the right track when he suggested that playing with sounds in language has significant benefits for children’s learning and development, and nursery rhymes are one of the best and most fun ways we can do this. 


Among the benefits of nursery rhymes for young children are:

• Nursery rhymes are ‘mini’ stories and are a great way to begin to foster children’s engagement with storytelling.
•  Nursery rhymes support children’s receptive and expressive language development.
• Through nursery rhymes, children become familiar with the sounds and rhythmic patterns in a spoken language.
• Nursery rhymes can reinforce mathematical concepts such as number, shape, and space in fun and enjoyable contexts.
• Children’s imagination and creativity are nurtured as they engage with the characters and scenarios in nursery rhymes.
• Nursery rhymes, through suggesting actions, physical movement, and dance, promote children’s fine and gross motor development.
• Nursery rhymes create an opportunity for children to participate in enjoyable interactive and social contexts with adults and with each other.
• Creative expression through Art and Drama is nurtured as children often spontaneously draw/paint/sculpt images suggested by the rhyme and/or naturally become the characters in the rhyme.

Most importantly, we know that children enjoy singing, reciting, and playing through nursery rhymes, and we know that learning and development flourishes when we the children are happy and having fun!

Here in Longfield Academy the children love Nursery rhymes/song time and a few of their daily favourites are:

1. Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
2. Wheels on the bus
3. Five little ducks
4. Baby shark
5. One little Finger
6. Happy and you know it
7. Head, shoulders, knees, and toes
8. Old Mc Donald
9. Row, row, row your boat
10. Incy wincy spider

Now think about your favourite nursery rhyme, can you still recite it with all those actions and how much fun it still is! Why not try one of Longfield’s favourite Nursery rhymes and practice with your little expert at home?
 
By Siobhán Shelly - LINC Co-ordinator

As we prepare ourselves for winter here in Longfield Academy, we reflect on how winter in Ireland can be unpredictable. The weather can vary from rain, hail, sleet, and snow to blissful winter sunshine on a cold frosty morning.  Each weather phenomenon is an opportunity for a rich emergent learning experience for children. These experiences can range from gathering rainwater, to jumping in puddles, or even learning some basic Science by waiting for the ice to thaw. 
We are all aware of the vital role outdoor play has in children’s development. It provides children with learning opportunities where they can explore natural resources such as mud, grass, and sticks. This exploration has been shown to promote high levels of attention, emotional regulation, and well-being. There may also be additional opportunities to engage in sensory play with natural resources, which we may not be able to replicate in an indoor environment. The opportunities for risky and creative play are only limited by the imagination.

Waterproof clothing – jacket and trousers or a full suit, which can withstand rain. These act as a top layer.

• As temperatures can be variable, we should consider light layers, thus ensuring the child does not overheat or get cold. A base layer – such as wool or a moisture wicking fabric is appropriate, cotton is not ideal as it absorbs moisture. Fleeces are ideal for the next layer as they are perfect for providing warmth.
• Mittens/gloves, again waterproof, so children can explore. A cotton glove once wet will become cold on a child’s hand and inhibit play.
• Welly boots – fleece lined will provide warmth. Alternatively, an additional heavy sock layer may be used.
• Always consider the opportunities for movement in clothing; ensuring clothing is not too bulky and does not inhibit play.

 

​This is a lovely story about Little Hedgehog who decides to go to Badger’s house during a storm. Hedgehog meets some friends along the way who are not dressed for the cold weather. Hedgehog shares his warm clothes with these friends, and eventually makes his way to Badgers house. The following day Hedgehog is worried about the all the twigs and leaves being blown away and not being able to make a new home. Hedgehog’s friends from the previous day help him out.

Christmas is a very special time here at Longfield Academy. All of our children have been as busy as Santa's Elves making decorations, baking christmas treats, practising Christmas songs and even forming a Christmas band. 

Our Junior Toddlers did a great job decorating our christmas tree and even made some of their own using playdough. 

Our Senior Toddlers created beautiful christmas art to decorate their classroom. They made jingle bells, baubles, melted snowmen, and christmas trees. 

Our Junior and Afternoon Red Pre-Schoolers invited their parents to come into school for a Christmas party. They made delicious Christmas rice krispies buns and hot chocolate with marshmallows as treats for the party. The children and their parents had a list of jobs to do before a special visitor arrived. This included having a treat, making a tree decoration, pinning the nose on Rudolph and singing a Christmas song. Santa read all the children a Christmas story and gave them all a special present. ​

Our Senior Pre-schoolers had their Christmas concert for all their Mammies and Daddies. They sang lots of christmas songs and also sang a beautiful rendition of 'Its a long way to Tipperary'. The children were very excited to get a visit from Santa, who heard their singing all the way from the North Pole. ​

On Monday 16th Dec, the Senior Preschooler's headed off on the bus for their second trip of the year to 'Le Cairde' Dementia Day Care Centre. 

The children were all very excited, heading off on their Adventure. The children had been preparing for weeks for this visit because they were planning on performing some Christmas songs for the people who attend Le Cairde. Noelle and Ciara did a fantastic job at preparing the children for this visit and for teaching the children all of their songs. Noelle and Ciara even taught the children two new songs 'She wears red feathers' and 'It's a long way to Tipperary', these are two of Le Cairde's favourite songs.

On the bus journey to the centre, we warmed up our voices by singing a very energetic version of 'The wheels on the bus' which was led by one of our preschoolers, Ellie. As we arrived to the centre, Catherine and Geraldine were there to greet the children. 





















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The children were led into the centre by Catherine and Geraldine, where they met all of the people who they were going to perform for. The children headed striaght for the 'big chairs'. We played some ball games with Geraldine while Le Cairde had their morning tea.

​We noticed a beautiful display on the wall, it was a collage of pictures from our last visit to Le Cairde, which was made by one of the men who attends the service. The children thought this was fantastic.

The children introduced themselves to everyone and did not hesitate to have a chat or two. Before we left, Catherine presented each child with a present, this was very exciting. 

When it was time to leave, the children lined up at the door and headed back out to the bus for our return to Longfield Academy, to tell everyone about our adventure!

Longfield Academy would like to thank Le Cairde for having us, we really enjoyed the morning and we look forward to visiting again!