1 In print
CHILD-INITIATED
Provide opportunities for the children to explore printing patterns using the soles of their shoes and boots.
Resources
Old trainers, shoes and boots of different sizes and with different patterns on the soles; trays with large sponges or foam pads filled with brightly coloured paint; large sheets and long rolls of paper; a tray of water; chalks, crayons and scissors.
Play suggestions
* Encourage the children to try on the different footwear, dip their feet in paint, then walk over paper to create prints. Compare the colours used and the patterns made by the soles.
* Suggest that the children cut out the footprints when they have dried.
Let the children decide how to use them. They may want to display them, or lay them out on the floor to create a path of footprints for other children to follow.
* Suggest the children press paper against the soles of the footwear and take rubbings using chalks or crayons.
* Provide a tray of water and encourage the children to create wet footprints on rolls of paper laid on the floor.
* Encourage the children to dip the sole of their boot or shoe in a puddle and make wet footprints outdoors. They can make tracks using tiny steps, giant steps or by hopping, skipping and jumping and they can encourage others to try to follow the footprints that they have made.
Possible learning outcomes
* Experiments with the materials available to create marks on paper.
* Explores mark-making using their feet.
* Discusses and describes the results of their mark-making activities.
* Experiments with different ways of moving.
* Engages in activities requiring hand-eye co-ordination.
2 Boots and all
ADULT-LED
Have fun creating and wearing boots fit for a giant.
Planned learning intention
To explore colour, shape, form and space in 2D and 3D Adult:child ratio 1:4
Resources
Two matching large boxes with half of the lids cut and lifted up to make the leg of the boot; paint; glue; collage materials such as small pieces of material and tissue and shiny paper; hole punch; thick thread or string; a large envelope containing a letter from a giant.
Preparation
Prepare the letter from the giant. It should explain that:
* the giant is bored with his big dull shoes and wants the children to decorate them
* the children should first look at their own shoes to see how they match and that the giant wants his shoes to match as well
* the children could try on the giant shoes when they are finished, but that they must be careful not to damage them.
Activity content
* Gather the children together to listen to you while you read out to them the letter from the giant.
* Provide the materials for the children to decorate the boots, and encourage them to make the boots as bright and interesting as possible. If two children work on a particular area of each boot at the same time, they can swap and repeat the decoration on the corresponding section of the other boot.
* Mark, then punch, lace holes for the boots, ensuring they match each side.
* Encourage the children to lace the boots and to be guided by the lacing in other people's shoes.
* When the boots are finished and dry, provide opportunities for the children to wear the boots and attempt walking in them. Encourage others to support them by holding their hand while they try to move.
Stepping stones
* Children with little experience will enjoy decorating the giant's boots, but are apt to lose concentration quite quickly, and they may not complete the second boot to match the first.
* Children with some experience will enjoy using a range of materials to create marks and patterns on the boots, and they should be able to repeat their work on the second boot. They may also attempt to lace up the boots.
* Children with more experience will concentrate for longer periods and will be able to create more detailed decorations and patterns on the boots, and work collaboratively with others. They will enjoy the lacing activity and are likely to complete it to their own satisfaction.
Extension ideas
* Provide more pairs of large boxes, so that the children can create some more boots for the giant.
* At a later date, when the children have finished making and using the boots, the boots could 'disappear' overnight and another letter could arrive from the giant, thanking the children for making his fine new footwear.
3 Sort it out
ADULT-LED
Encourage the children to sort socks into pairs.
Planned learning intention
To count objects reliably saying one number name for each item Adult:child ratio 1:4
Resources
Pairs of socks in different colours and sizes.
Activity content
* Spread the socks out over a small area so that all the children can take part in the activity.
* Ask the children to see if they can match the socks to make pairs.
* Count how many pairs they have made and ask them to describe their pairs by size, colour or pattern.
* Encourage the children to join in with counting the pairs in twos, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and so on.
* Provide time for the children to muddle up and sort the socks again.
Stepping stones
* Children with little experience will enjoy trying to match the socks and will attempt to join in with counting.
* Children with some experience will be able to match the socks and count the pairs and use comparative language about the number of pairs they and others have made.
* Children with more experience will be able to count accurately the number of pairs that they have made and attempt to count in twos to find out the number of socks.
Extension ideas
* Make the task more difficult by adding some odd socks to the collection.
* Use shoes or gloves for children to sort.
* Play a simple circle game where each child has a single sock. Pass a second sock in turn round the circle until it reaches the child who can match it to make a pair.
* Provide warm soapy water for the children to wash the socks and peg them out to dry in pairs. Provide pegs marked with the numerals 1 and 2 for children to use in order.
* Suggest that the children help at home by matching socks into pairs.
(Tell parents what you have suggested!)
* Encourage the children to draw round each other's hands to make a pair of gloves. Colour, paint or decorate these making sure the pairs match. Cut them out and use them to play the pairs game.
* Play other pair games using children's playing cards, coloured bricks, toy cars and items from the home corner such as plates, forks and spoons.
