This week in Reception, we have been learning all about emotions and thinking carefully about how we can recognise our feelings. We’ve explored what it feels like to be happy, sad, worried, and angry, and we have started to think about different strategies we can use to help ourselves when we are not in the green zone.

At school, we use the Zones of Regulation to help the children notice and name how they are feeling. We’ve been practising calming strategies such as taking deep breaths, asking for a hug, or finding a quiet space when we feel upset.

Ideas for home:

• Talk to your child about their feelings and help them name the emotion.
• Use colours (blue, green, yellow, red) to describe the different zones. For example: “I can see you are in the red zone right now. What could help you get back to green?”
• Encourage simple calming strategies, like counting to five slowly, squeezing a teddy, or taking a break in a cosy spot.
• Praise your child for noticing and managing their feelings.

In maths, we have been sharpening our noticing skills by sorting and ordering buttons. The children enjoyed spotting the different colours, shapes, and sizes, and then putting them into groups. Sorting is a really important skill that helps with early mathematical understanding.

We will begin to learn about the change of season. The children will be looking at how the weather and trees are changing as autumn begins. Please look out for signs of autumn when you are out and about. We would love it if the children could bring in some autumn treasure, such as conkers, colourful leaves, or acorns, to share with the class.

It has been a busy and exciting week of learning!

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