As Autumn sets in, we know one of our favourite festivals is on the horizon. Many major festivals are centred around stories and events and Diwali is no different. The story of Rama and Sita is full of drama and suspense and always captivates the children. Story telling in all its forms is a central part the children’s experiences at Thornton Heath Nursery school; whether it be book based, puppetry or role play. We explore stories together and develop language around story telling, as well as an understanding of the background or context of a story, which will so often have a moral message.
With a festival on the horizon, the children need to choose their treat to enjoy together. The survey question was, “Which special bubble bread shall we make?” From a choice of cheese or chocolate, the children recorded their choice on the board before counting the tallies. After, it was dough making time. The children’s ability to talk about the ingredients and their important roles are building; children are able to express an understanding of yeast’s job of “blowing bubbles into the dough” and even that the bubbles “expand” once they get hot in the oven ensuring our bread is soft and not “like a rock!”
The Diwali celebration was enjoyed by all. After a week of interactive story telling and reading the children’s understanding of the story was strong and the children enjoyed the sensory experience of being in a candle lit theatre space for a performance of Rama and Sita’s epic story. Links were made as we remembered that the festival of lights reminds us to work together, be kind, share and support each other.
