Topic: Toys!

What are we learning?

This half term, Swallows will be exploring the wonderful world of toys. Old and new, big and small, noisy and quiet! Through stories, play and sensory experiences, children will build their language, early reading and writing skills, maths, science thinking and independence, all linked to toys they know and love.

English – Stories, Descriptions & Games

• We will use Toy Story clips and teacher-made toy descriptions to help children learn new vocabulary.
• Children will bring in their favourite toy, talk about it, take photos and write simple labels, captions and descriptive sentences.
• Later in the term, we will read and follow instructions for playground or board games, then have a go at writing our own simple instructions using bossy (imperative) words like roll, jump, move and stop.

Maths – Toys & Numbers

Using real toys and practical equipment, children will:
• Add and subtract using toy objects and pictures.
• Practise sharing small sets of toys.
• Use the language of more and less, and compare small groups of items.
• For older learners, we will also revisit counting in 4s, 8s, 50s and 100s, and work on subtracting 2- and 3-digit numbers and times tables.

Science – Investigating Toys

We will become toy scientists and explore:
• Toy car ramps – how changing the height of a ramp makes cars go faster or slower.
• Floating and sinking toys – predicting which toys will float, then testing them in water.
• Building with blocks – making towers with wide and narrow bases and seeing which ones are more stable.

Understanding the World – Old, New & Special Toys

Children will:
• Share and explore their favourite toys from home.
• Compare old and new toys, talking about how they look and how they work.
• Enjoy a teddy bear picnic, practising sharing snacks with their teddy and making requests using speech, visuals or PECS.
• Mark New Year with wishes for the year ahead and take part in Chinese New Year crafts.

Creative Projects – Puppets & Play

Across the term, children will:
• Design a puppet, choosing features using their core boards.
• Sew and decorate their puppet with adult support, practising using tools safely and with purpose.

PSHE – Independence Through Everyday Routines

Linked to our toys and play sessions, children will also work on important life skills:
• Using a spoon, fork and knife more independently.
• Dressing skills, including putting on/taking off simple items and fastening buttons/zips.
• Toileting and handwashing routines supported with visuals and sensory experiences.

RE & PE – Belonging and Moving

• In RE, we will explore belonging and symbols of Islam through sensory artefacts, simple stories and creative activities.
• In PE, we will practise rolling, stopping and throwing balls to targets, building coordination and confidence.