Writes Samantha Robinson, Nursery Lead Teacher
Over the past two weeks, our Nursery children have been enjoying the story The Disgusting Sandwich by Gareth Edwards. The book inspired a range of hands-on activities that helped the children develop their independence, communication and imagination. The children loved making their own sandwiches, carefully spreading butter, choosing their filling and learning how to cut their sandwiches in half.
There were lots of excited conversations as the children talked about their choices and proudly took home the sandwiches, they had made themselves. The children used their imagination to decorate slices of bread with homemade edible paint. They explored colours, patterns and made marks before enjoying their creations together outside during a class picnic.
At the beginning of our topic, we also made a class sandwich which we have been observing over time. The children have been fascinated to see how it changes each day as it slowly decomposes, and many have noticed that it is beginning to look just like the sandwich in the story! The story has also been brought to life in continuous provision. Many children have been recreating sandwich-making in the home corner, role-playing preparing and serving food, and acting out parts of the story with small-world play. These activities have not only helped the children develop practical skills, such as spreading, cutting and following instructions, but have also sparked curiosity, discussion and creative thinking.
It has been a joy to see them so engaged, exploring new ideas, expressing their own choices and making connections between stories and real-life experiences.
