January at POD has been full of new beginnings, exciting activities, and, of course, plenty of birthday cake! From welcoming new preschoolers to celebrating our 3rd birthday (yes, three already!), we’ve packed in plenty of learning, creativity, and outdoor adventures. Let’s take a look back at some of the magic we’ve made this month!
January saw some big milestones for our little PODders! Our Toddler 2’s have officially graduated to preschool, becoming our newest Dolphin class, while our existing Dolphins have moved up to Orcas. It’s flown by, hasn’t it?! We’ve loved seeing them settle into their new routines, exploring all the wonders of preschool life - whether it's French lessons, swimming practice, or getting stuck into new activities.
Speaking of swimming, our Orcas have been busy honing their buoyancy and water confidence skills, while the rest of POD has been moving and grooving with DiddiDance and making plenty of noise at Rhythm Time! With all this excitement, we’re sure parents have been hearing a few new French words at home too… très bien, PODders!
January’s book selection has been a fairytale dream! Our PODders have been fully immersed in classic tales, including Little Red Riding Hood, The Three Little Pigs, Jack and the Beanstalk, and The Three Billy Goats Gruff.
But we didn’t just read these stories—we brought them to life! With colouring sheets, creative cloak designs for Red Riding Hood, and even giving the Big Bad Wolf a makeover, we’ve used storytelling to boost literacy skills, fine motor development, and spark conversations about bravery, kindness, and staying safe.
And let’s be honest—if there’s a better way to learn than pretending to be a giant stomping through POD, we haven’t found it yet!
We love introducing our PODders to different cultures, traditions, and ways of seeing the world, and this month has been no exception.
World Braille Day - We explored how people with visual impairments read using Braille, giving children a hands-on experience of raised dots and tactile storytelling. They were fascinated by how stories can be enjoyed without even seeing the pages!
Chinese New Year - We welcomed the Year of the Snake in style, decorating POD in vibrant red and yellow and getting creative with lantern-making, red and gold bracelets, and colourful artwork. Our PODders loved learning about the traditions of Chinese New Year - and, of course, sampling some tasty Chinese treats!
Martin Luther King Jr. Day - Our PODders listened to parts of "I Have a Dream" and explored the themes of kindness, fairness, and equality through discussions and activities.
The Big Garden Birdwatch - We embraced our inner twitchers, spotting birds in our garden, learning about their habitats, and even making homemade bird feeders! Plus, our resident POD robin got plenty of extra attention as we learned how to care for our feathered friends.
National Hug Day - A day all about friendship and kindness? Count us in! The POD team were on hand with plenty of cuddles, high-fives, and warm wishes, helping our little ones understand how simple gestures can show big love.
One word: LEGO.
This month, our PODders went brick-crazy as they built trains, skyscrapers, and even unicorns! We also set some tricky building challenges (who could make the tallest tower before it toppled?!). Beyond the fun, LEGO play helps develop problem-solving, teamwork, and fine motor skills – picking up those Lego pieces is no mean feat!
Our Practically Wild sessions have been in full swing, with nature and science at the heart of our learning.
Insect Explorers – We investigated mini-beasts, learned about their habitats, and even rescued toy insects from water using fine motor tools (hello, future scientists!).
Making Rainbows – From rainbow jellyfish to colour-matching activities, we’ve been exploring the magic of colour and identifying different shades through play.
Helping Our Sea Friends – Our PODders got hands-on with a real-world lesson in conservation, untangling toy dolphins and whales from ‘fishing nets’ to understand the impact of ocean pollution.
January marked three whole years of POD, and we celebrated in style! With balloons, cake, music, games, and even magic mirrors, it was a birthday party to remember. Seeing our PODders having the time of their lives with their families was the perfect way to round off an incredible month.
With February just around the corner, we’re gearing up for even more POD magic, plus an action-packed February Folk Holiday Club! Keep an eye on Tapestry & our socials for all the exciting plans ahead...
Subscribe to our newsletter for fun ideas, creative activities, and handy tips to keep the whole family entertained!
Big Changes for Our Preschoolers!
January saw some big milestones for our little PODders! Our Toddler 2’s have officially graduated to preschool, becoming our newest Dolphin class, while our existing Dolphins have moved up to Orcas. It’s flown by, hasn’t it?! We’ve loved seeing them settle into their new routines, exploring all the wonders of preschool life - whether it's French lessons, swimming practice, or getting stuck into new activities.
Speaking of swimming, our Orcas have been busy honing their buoyancy and water confidence skills, while the rest of POD has been moving and grooving with DiddiDance and making plenty of noise at Rhythm Time! With all this excitement, we’re sure parents have been hearing a few new French words at home too… très bien, PODders!
A Magical Month of Stories
January’s book selection has been a fairytale dream! Our PODders have been fully immersed in classic tales, including Little Red Riding Hood, The Three Little Pigs, Jack and the Beanstalk, and The Three Billy Goats Gruff.
But we didn’t just read these stories—we brought them to life! With colouring sheets, creative cloak designs for Red Riding Hood, and even giving the Big Bad Wolf a makeover, we’ve used storytelling to boost literacy skills, fine motor development, and spark conversations about bravery, kindness, and staying safe.
And let’s be honest—if there’s a better way to learn than pretending to be a giant stomping through POD, we haven’t found it yet!
Celebrating Cultures & Learning About the World
We love introducing our PODders to different cultures, traditions, and ways of seeing the world, and this month has been no exception.
World Braille Day - We explored how people with visual impairments read using Braille, giving children a hands-on experience of raised dots and tactile storytelling. They were fascinated by how stories can be enjoyed without even seeing the pages!
Chinese New Year - We welcomed the Year of the Snake in style, decorating POD in vibrant red and yellow and getting creative with lantern-making, red and gold bracelets, and colourful artwork. Our PODders loved learning about the traditions of Chinese New Year - and, of course, sampling some tasty Chinese treats!
Martin Luther King Jr. Day - Our PODders listened to parts of "I Have a Dream" and explored the themes of kindness, fairness, and equality through discussions and activities.
The Big Garden Birdwatch - We embraced our inner twitchers, spotting birds in our garden, learning about their habitats, and even making homemade bird feeders! Plus, our resident POD robin got plenty of extra attention as we learned how to care for our feathered friends.
National Hug Day - A day all about friendship and kindness? Count us in! The POD team were on hand with plenty of cuddles, high-fives, and warm wishes, helping our little ones understand how simple gestures can show big love.
Building Big Ideas on LEGO Day!
One word: LEGO.
This month, our PODders went brick-crazy as they built trains, skyscrapers, and even unicorns! We also set some tricky building challenges (who could make the tallest tower before it toppled?!). Beyond the fun, LEGO play helps develop problem-solving, teamwork, and fine motor skills – picking up those Lego pieces is no mean feat!
Practically Wild Explorers: Bugs, Rainbows & Nature Galore!
Our Practically Wild sessions have been in full swing, with nature and science at the heart of our learning.
Insect Explorers – We investigated mini-beasts, learned about their habitats, and even rescued toy insects from water using fine motor tools (hello, future scientists!).
Making Rainbows – From rainbow jellyfish to colour-matching activities, we’ve been exploring the magic of colour and identifying different shades through play.
Helping Our Sea Friends – Our PODders got hands-on with a real-world lesson in conservation, untangling toy dolphins and whales from ‘fishing nets’ to understand the impact of ocean pollution.
POD’s 3rd Birthday Bash!
January marked three whole years of POD, and we celebrated in style! With balloons, cake, music, games, and even magic mirrors, it was a birthday party to remember. Seeing our PODders having the time of their lives with their families was the perfect way to round off an incredible month.
What’s Next?
With February just around the corner, we’re gearing up for even more POD magic, plus an action-packed February Folk Holiday Club! Keep an eye on Tapestry & our socials for all the exciting plans ahead...
Subscribe to our newsletter for fun ideas, creative activities, and handy tips to keep the whole family entertained!
Practically Family HQ
Total Fitness, Off A34, Wilmslow - Handforth Bypass, Wilmslow SK9 3PE
Practically Family
07939 942334 (during Holiday Club weeks only)
