We've filled our days with courage, creativity, and a whole lot of fun, all inspired by our Book of the Month, A Little Bit Brave. This heart-warming tale of Logan the bunny, who steps outside his comfort zone to embark on a grand adventure, has been the perfect backdrop for our own little ones to explore what it means to be brave, imaginative, and full of curiosity.

Embracing Bravery with Bunny-Inspired Fun

Logan’s story has sparked a wave of bravery here at POD. Our little ones have been channelling their inner courage in so many creative ways. From making bunny-shaped biscuits (which were as delicious as they were adorable) to crafting pasta necklaces for a brave friend or family member, our activities have been all about encouraging bravery and kindness.

We also created sensory bottles to explore feelings, giving the children a fun, hands-on way to learn about emotions and how to brighten someone’s day. The jelly sensory tray was a big hit too, with our kids hunting for animals in the squishy, colourful goo…
And let’s not forget the courageous craft sessions where we made “courage catchers” and “courage jars.” Each child added their special ingredient to see just how brave they could be! We even constructed rabbit houses from various materials and took on obstacle courses that tested both our physical and mental bravery.

Celebrating the Spirit of the Olympics

August also saw our little athletes embracing the Olympic spirit! Inspired by the Olympic and Paralympic celebrations, our POD kids got to channel their inner champions by participating in a range of sporty activities. From printing our very own Olympic rings to competing in mini obstacle courses, the children learned about the importance of teamwork, perseverance, and celebrating every achievement - no matter how big or small.

Through these activities, we not only encouraged physical activity but also highlighted the values of courage, determination, and friendship, perfectly tying in with our theme of bravery. The children had a blast, and who knows, we might have a future Olympian in our midst!

Celebrating Special Days with Extra Sparkle

August has also been packed with special days that added a little extra magic to our month. We kicked things off with National Yorkshire Day, where our little ones got to experience a traditional Yorkshire tea party—messy play included, of course!

For National Cat Day, we got creative with a paint-covered ball to create unique cat faces. It was a wonderfully messy experience that the kids just loved. National Elephant Day had our kids counting elephants, making elephant sounds, and exploring a tactile tuff tray filled with green pasta and rice. It was a sensory experience like no other, and we had so much fun learning about these magnificent creatures.

On National Lizard Day, we dived into the world of these fascinating reptiles, and for National Dog Day, our kids celebrated with a range of dog-themed activities that had tails wagging (both real and imaginary!). And who could forget our HMS POD adventure on National Beach Day, where we sailed the seas of our imagination, dug up hidden treasures, and enjoyed some cool ice lollies in the sun.

Crafting Memories and Superhero Fun

Our artistic flair has been in full bloom this month, with our little artists creating stunning sun-catchers. This sticky, colourful craft not only brightened up our POD but also helped the children develop their fine motor skills and learn about colours and shapes.

And let’s talk about our superhero masks! Inspired by the bravery of superheroes, our toddlers crafted their own masks using tissue paper and foil. We had such wonderful discussions about what it means to be brave and how even the smallest acts of kindness can be superpowers in disguise.

Stepping into September

We’re thrilled to kick off the new term with some exciting changes at POD! Behind the scenes, we’ve been busy making sure everything is ready for a fantastic month ahead. Our Preschoolers have now moved into the main space, giving them even more room to explore, learn, and create, while our Toddler 2’s have settled into the classroom, which has been transformed into a bright and engaging area for discovery and play. Our garden has also had a wonderful refresh, featuring a new birdwatching spot, a sports shed filled with equipment, a beach deck, a revamped POD café, improved mud kitchens, a construction area, and a boat-turned-grow patch for planting fruits and veggies. We can’t wait to see the children enjoying these new spaces!

As we wrap up August and look forward to the start of a new school year, we’re filled with excitement for the adventures ahead. Our kids have shown us just how brave, creative, and curious they are, and we can’t wait to continue nurturing these wonderful qualities in the months to come.