Nursery activities

Planned learning intentions

*To speak with confidence and control

*To attempt writing for a purpose

*To recognise numerals 1 to 9

Resources

*A variety of telephones - real, play and mobile 3walkie-talkies

*microphone 3phone book 3pizza delivery leaflets 3telephone message pads

*pens 3pictures of people using telephones

Step by step

* Cover a table and backdrop with brightly-coloured paper.

* Paste pictures of people using telephones on to the backdrop with accompanying text.

* Arrange the resources on the table, or hang on the wall if there's no free space.

Activities

We alternate the choice of resources on the table and use the display in various ways. For example:

* Use the pictures to give the children ideas about how they can use the table -such as order a pizza, telephone a relative - to develop their language skills and confidence in speaking.

* Develop children's writing skills by suggesting they take down telephone messages.

* Develop their number recognition by discussing telephone numbers and encouraging them to use the numbered buttons or dial.

* Link the talk table to weekly themes such as 'People who help us' and using a telephone to contact the emergency services and give vital information.

* Talk about how the other resources can be used to contact people, that a microphone can be used to communicate in a noisy or large place and that walkie-talkies and mobile phones can be used while outside. We find that the girls tend to enjoy using the microphones to sing and pretend to be in a pop band while the boys have fun using the walkie-talkies in action roles.

* Develop a sense of trust by allowing the children to use the resources away from the table and return them after use.

Extension activity

* Set up an activity making 'telephones' out of tin cans and string.

Lucia Battiste is phase leader for the Foundation Stage in the nursery at Kelvin Grove School, south London. She spoke to Annette Rawstrone