Baby Dragons Newsletter
Theme of the Week: South America, Mandarin, and Creative Exploration
This week, our Baby Dragons at Westminster had a week full of exploration, creativity, and discovery! From learning new Mandarin words and enjoying science experiments to celebrating Bonfire Night and exploring the park, every activity encouraged curiosity, communication, and sensory play. The children also enjoyed exciting specialist sessions with Miss Molly and Sporty Minis — moving, singing, and learning through play!
Curious about how we help our youngest learners thrive through play and care?
Modern Languages and Communication
This week, our Baby Dragons enjoyed singing and moving along to the familiar Mandarin “Point Your Finger” song. During the activity, the children practiced key vocabulary such as: 手 (shǒu – hand), 手指 (shǒu zhǐ – finger), 头 (tóu – head). The little ones eagerly pointed, copied actions, and joined in with the rhythm, helping to strengthen their listening, attention, and early language skills. It’s wonderful to see them engaging naturally with Mandarin as part of their daily communication!
STEAM Exploration
The children explored colour mixing and creative design through a fun fruit printing activity. Using fresh oranges and vibrant paints, they dipped the fruit and pressed it onto paper, creating beautiful, textured prints. The children were delighted to see the colourful results of their own efforts, sparking curiosity and pride in their creations!
Excursion
Our Baby Dragons had a wonderful visit to Canada Water Library! They explored colourful books, chose their favourites, and shared stories with friends. Highlights included: Interactive toys and puzzles that encouraged problem-solving and hand-eye coordination, Opportunities to engage with the local community, a growing love for reading and discovery
The children were full of curiosity and excitement as they explored the treasures of the library!
Regional Education
Our little explorers continued their South America theme with exciting rainforest activities:
Amazon River Adventure: Blue scarves represented flowing water, and green scarves mimicked grass and trees. Children navigated a small obstacle course, role-playing animals along the river while learning about water movement and plant life.
Specialist Teachers
Miss Molly led a lively circle time filled with songs, movement, and sensory fun:Children blasted off with the “Rocket Song”, Played along with “5 Little Frogs”, Enjoyed parachute games, bubble popping, and a calming magical light display. This session encouraged: Gross motor skills and coordination, Sensory exploration, Joyful interaction and creative expression
In Sporty Minis, the children enjoyed a lively session focused on movement and coordination. They began with stretching, followed by crab walking and kangaroo hopping — activities that boosted balance and strength while sparking laughter. Running games and ball exercises encouraged teamwork, agility, and gross motor skills, making it a dynamic, confidence-building session!
It’s been a wonderful week full of exploration, creativity, and celebration. Thank you to our parents for your continued support
Pre-School Newsletter
Theme of the Week: South America, Language Learning & Creative Discovery
This week, our Preschoolers explored the wonders of the Amazon Rainforest, strengthened their communication and language skills, celebrated Remembrance Day, and engaged in rich STEAM learning inspired by South America. From jungle songs and sensory forest-floor crafts to Peruvian patterns and yoga adventures, the children enjoyed a week full of creativity, curiosity, and hands-on discovery.
Looking for a preschool that blends learning with global culture and creative play?
Modern Languages
To support language development and deepen our jungle theme, the children learned new nursery rhymes linked to rainforest animals and their sounds.
Songs such as “Down in the Jungle” and “Animal Freeze Dance” encouraged movement, role play, and imaginative expression. These activities helped children build vocabulary, practise listening skills, and develop confidence in communicating through sound, gesture, and music.
Regional Education: Exploring North America
Exploring the Forest Floor
Building on last week’s focus, the children learned about the forest floor, the darkest layer of the rainforest where very little sunlight reaches. Through group discussions and books, they discovered features such as: fallen leaves and branches, insects and small creatures, animals like anteaters and jaguars
Sensory Forest-Floor Crafts
Using natural materials such as moss, leaves, grass, twigs, and wooden sticks, the children created their own interpretations of the Amazon forest floor. This sensory-rich activity supported creativity, fine motor development, and an appreciation of real rainforest textures.
Jaguars & Camouflage
The children also explored jaguars and their unique spotted patterns used for camouflage. They examined the patterns up close and then created their own jaguar artwork, designing distinctive spot arrangements on their personalised Jaguars. Each child proudly produced a one-of-a-kind pattern!
Festival of the Week
To commemorate Remembrance Day, the children created a beautiful field of poppies. They used red petals and green stems to form their flowers, which also supported early counting and fine motor skills.
Educators explained, in a gentle and age-appropriate way, that poppies remind us to honour and remember the people who have helped protect our country.
The finished poppy field was displayed for the children to observe, appreciate, and reflect on together.
STEM
Inspired by traditional Peruvian textiles, the children examined the bold patterns and colours often seen in rugs and woven fabrics. They then practised creating their own repeating patterns using coloured paper strips.
This activity strengthened: pattern recognition, Sequencing, early maths skills, creativity and problem-solving
Together, they contributed to a collaborative artwork representing a vibrant Peruvian rug
Phonics
Linking phonics with our rainforest theme, the children practised tracing the letter S while learning the “S” sound through the Jolly Phonics song.
Using cut-out snake-patterned paper, they decorated the body of an “S-shaped snake,” helping them: recognise the sound, learn where snakes live, explore what snakes eat, describe how snakes look
This multisensory literacy activity supported early phonological awareness and fine motor skills.
Specialist Teachers
Miss Sparkles led a magical circle time where the children explored different voice volumes, tones, and expressions. Through songs, body language and gestures, they discovered how music can communicate feelings, actions, and stories.
Miss Molly – Mindful Yoga & Space Adventure
During Mindful Yoga, Miss Molly guided the children on an imaginative role-play journey into outer space. They learned simple movements and stretches while pretending to travel to the moon. This session supported: Balance, Mindfulness, Creativity, physical awareness
Refer a Friend & Unlock 5% Off!
Invite a friend or sibling to join the journey and enjoy exclusive savings.
Extended Learning: Holiday Clubs & Weekend School
Our Holiday Clubs & Weekend School offer STEAM fun, language learning, and field trips for school-aged children.
Book Your Holiday Club Spot → Book Your Weekend School Spot →
We’d Love Your Review
A quick Google review helps us grow and supports other families.
