November at POD has been full of warmth, light, and more than a few sprinkles of kindness.
It’s been a busy month with all sorts of celebrations, and each day has given us something special to enjoy together. Here’s a look back at some of the wonderful memories we’ve made this month!
Diwali – The Festival of Lights (1st November)
We kicked off November with a burst of colour and light to celebrate Diwali! The children enjoyed exploring this vibrant festival through hands-on activities, learning how Diwali is all about love, light, and hope. From creating colourful Rangoli patterns to dressing up and lighting diva lamps, each activity helped us appreciate the beauty of light overcoming darkness.
Bonfire Night – A Fiery Tradition (5th November)
"Remember, remember the 5th of November!" Bonfire Night brought another chance to light up the dark November skies. We got into the spirit with chocolate apples, treacle toffee and traditional parkin, and added our own creative twist with firework paintings and colourful crafts. The children loved hearing about the history behind this tradition, and our room was bursting with explosions of colour and sweet treats—a true November highlight!
Armistice Day – Honouring and Reflecting (11th November)
On Armistice Day, we took time to reflect with our Preschoolers, thinking about the people we love and remembering those who came before us. Poppy-themed activities filled POD with bright reds, and we practiced calm mindfulness exercises to find that “warm and snuggly” feeling of love and gratitude. It was a gentle and meaningful way for the children to explore the importance of memory and respect.
World Kindness Day – Celebrating Friendship (13th November)
World Kindness Day was a celebration of friendship and all the little things we can do to brighten each other’s day. The children shared ideas for acts of kindness and talked about what makes them feel happy and loved. We played, laughed, and made sure to spread lots of smiles! If you’re interested in ideas for encouraging kindness at home, check out our *Teaching Gratitude* blog for some wonderful ways to practice empathy and kindness together.
National Gingerbread Day – Baking up Literacy Skills (15th November)
This year, National Gingerbread Day gave us a chance to get creative in the kitchen! The children practiced their cutting and decorating skills as we baked and decorated gingerbread cookies. As part of our literacy activities, we also focused on creating and following instructions, helping little hands and minds work together to make these delicious treats.
Children in Need Day – Party Time with Pudsey (15th November)
We welcomed Pudsey the Bear and your gorgeous kids in their partywear for a fun-filled Children in Need day! With costumes, colourful spots, and plenty of dancing, the day was a huge success. The children loved getting involved in crafts and games to support Children In Need; it was a wonderful way to show support for others while having an amazing time as a community.
Exploring Celebrations Around the World
November was also a month of learning about celebrations around the world, giving our little ones a chance to discover new customs and traditions. We learned about Turkey’s Children’s Day (Çocuk Bayramı), India’s Raksha Bandhan, and Japan’s Kodomo no Hi. The children enjoyed practicing the names of these celebrations and exploring how children from other countries join together for these special events. We also introduced henna art, practicing pencil control with tracing and creating our own “henna tattoos” on paper before painting them on their hands! It was a fun and meaningful way to connect with global cultures and appreciate the diversity of celebrations.
Practically Wild – Caring for Animals
November’s Practically Wild sessions were all about animals! We learned about ways to care for local birds in our gardens, creating bird feeders from recycled cartons and filling them with seeds. The children loved hanging them up in the garden and talking about the different birds that might come to visit. Further afield, we also discussed endangered animals, and the kids voted to focus on tigers this month. They drew their own tiger masks, and we finished with an exciting surprise: our adoption of Hugo the tiger! The children were thrilled to know they’ve helped support such a magnificent animal.
What’s Next?
November has flown by in a whirlwind! As we look forward to December, there’s even more excitement in store—from Advent to Christmas crafts to a visit from the big guy, we can’t wait!!
Diwali – The Festival of Lights (1st November)
We kicked off November with a burst of colour and light to celebrate Diwali! The children enjoyed exploring this vibrant festival through hands-on activities, learning how Diwali is all about love, light, and hope. From creating colourful Rangoli patterns to dressing up and lighting diva lamps, each activity helped us appreciate the beauty of light overcoming darkness.
Bonfire Night – A Fiery Tradition (5th November)
"Remember, remember the 5th of November!" Bonfire Night brought another chance to light up the dark November skies. We got into the spirit with chocolate apples, treacle toffee and traditional parkin, and added our own creative twist with firework paintings and colourful crafts. The children loved hearing about the history behind this tradition, and our room was bursting with explosions of colour and sweet treats—a true November highlight!
Armistice Day – Honouring and Reflecting (11th November)
On Armistice Day, we took time to reflect with our Preschoolers, thinking about the people we love and remembering those who came before us. Poppy-themed activities filled POD with bright reds, and we practiced calm mindfulness exercises to find that “warm and snuggly” feeling of love and gratitude. It was a gentle and meaningful way for the children to explore the importance of memory and respect.
World Kindness Day – Celebrating Friendship (13th November)
World Kindness Day was a celebration of friendship and all the little things we can do to brighten each other’s day. The children shared ideas for acts of kindness and talked about what makes them feel happy and loved. We played, laughed, and made sure to spread lots of smiles! If you’re interested in ideas for encouraging kindness at home, check out our *Teaching Gratitude* blog for some wonderful ways to practice empathy and kindness together.
National Gingerbread Day – Baking up Literacy Skills (15th November)
This year, National Gingerbread Day gave us a chance to get creative in the kitchen! The children practiced their cutting and decorating skills as we baked and decorated gingerbread cookies. As part of our literacy activities, we also focused on creating and following instructions, helping little hands and minds work together to make these delicious treats.
Children in Need Day – Party Time with Pudsey (15th November)
We welcomed Pudsey the Bear and your gorgeous kids in their partywear for a fun-filled Children in Need day! With costumes, colourful spots, and plenty of dancing, the day was a huge success. The children loved getting involved in crafts and games to support Children In Need; it was a wonderful way to show support for others while having an amazing time as a community.
Exploring Celebrations Around the World
November was also a month of learning about celebrations around the world, giving our little ones a chance to discover new customs and traditions. We learned about Turkey’s Children’s Day (Çocuk Bayramı), India’s Raksha Bandhan, and Japan’s Kodomo no Hi. The children enjoyed practicing the names of these celebrations and exploring how children from other countries join together for these special events. We also introduced henna art, practicing pencil control with tracing and creating our own “henna tattoos” on paper before painting them on their hands! It was a fun and meaningful way to connect with global cultures and appreciate the diversity of celebrations.
Practically Wild – Caring for Animals
November’s Practically Wild sessions were all about animals! We learned about ways to care for local birds in our gardens, creating bird feeders from recycled cartons and filling them with seeds. The children loved hanging them up in the garden and talking about the different birds that might come to visit. Further afield, we also discussed endangered animals, and the kids voted to focus on tigers this month. They drew their own tiger masks, and we finished with an exciting surprise: our adoption of Hugo the tiger! The children were thrilled to know they’ve helped support such a magnificent animal.
What’s Next?
November has flown by in a whirlwind! As we look forward to December, there’s even more excitement in store—from Advent to Christmas crafts to a visit from the big guy, we can’t wait!!
If you’d like to find out more about the practical magic we can bring to your family please get in touch.
Call 07581 156684 or email sophie@practicallyfamily.co.uk
