Fashion and clothing design offer an exciting and enriching experience for young children, particularly in the Early Years department at Britannica. As children aged 2 to 5 create their own clothes for a fashion show, they engage in a multifaceted learning process that fosters essential skills, including sustainability, critical thinking, spatial awareness, mathematical reasoning, and creativity.
One of the primary benefits of this activity is its emphasis on sustainability. By using recycled materials or leftover fabric, children learn the importance of reusing resources, instilling eco-friendly values from a young age. This hands-on approach helps them understand the impact of their choices on the environment, cultivating a sense of responsibility and awareness of sustainability.
Critical thinking is another vital skill enhanced through costume design. As children decide on the design and materials for their outfits, they must evaluate what works best for their vision. They consider factors such as color combinations, texture, and functionality, encouraging them to solve problems creatively. This process develops their ability to think independently and make informed decisions.
Spatial awareness plays a crucial role in this creative endeavor. While cutting, sewing, or gluing materials together, children learn how different shapes and sizes fit. This hands-on manipulation enhances their understanding of space, which is fundamental in various areas of learning. Additionally, working with fabric and materials improves their fine motor skills, supporting their overall physical development.
Mathematical skills are subtly integrated into the design process as well. Children engage in measuring fabric, counting buttons, or calculating how much material they need for their creations. Such activities introduce basic mathematical concepts in a practical context, helping them grasp the relevance of math in everyday life and enhancing their numerical understanding.
At the heart of costume design lies creativity. Each child's unique ideas and expressions come to life as they transform materials into imaginative outfits. This creative freedom boosts their self-esteem and encourages them to embrace their individuality. The fashion show becomes a celebration of their achievements, fostering a sense of community and collaboration among peers.
Designing and creating trashion/costumes for a fashion show provides invaluable learning opportunities for young children in our Early Years department. By integrating sustainability, critical thinking, spatial awareness, math, and creativity, this experience enriches their education and prepares them for a future where these skills are essential.
This week in Reception, we have been gradually transitioning the children to Year 1, and they are very excited! They began enjoying lunch in the main canteen, carrying their trays and choosing from the fruit and salad bar. On Monday, the children are looking forward to Step-Up Day, where they will spend the morning in a Year 1 classroom. This week, we have been reviewing mathematical concepts and all the phonics letter sounds learned so far, focusing on blending and writing independently with these sounds. We consistently discuss the importance of being a good friend and how to communicate when problems arise. To wrap up the week, we held an exciting Britannica fashion show, where the children had a wonderful time supporting our school community and cheering for their classmates. The creativity on display was truly impressive.
In Nursery, the children dove into the amazing world of oceans and underwater life. They enjoyed listening to the enchanting story of '5 Little Mermaids' and learned about the different oceans the mermaids visited. We even looked at a map to discover where these oceans are located. Together, we explored what makes each ocean special and expanded our vocabulary related to the topic. Nursery also got their hands colourful and a bit glittery this week as they explored painting and collaging to create beautiful fish art. It was wonderful to see their creativity come to life with bright colours and textures, from lionfish to angelfish and many other types
This week, the Pre-Nursery have been finishing their Monkey Puzzle collage by decorating a monkey and adding various jungle animals to their artwork. We have also been watching short clips about monkeys and using descriptive language to describe and compare the different types. Additionally, we have expanded our understanding of heavy and light by comparing the weights of more than one animal on the scales. Today, some children participated in the school fashion show, and they all looked fantastic. Being part of a school community and participating in these events is very important for a child's development. Thank you for your continued support.
Sioned Jones
Head of Early Years
