Juniper Room (Nurture)

Developing listening and thinking about who helps us

This week the children have been learning more about their book. They were fantastic about sharing who helps them and who is in their family. 

In Reception, we have been learning even more about Elmer. We ordered the pictures of the story. It was great fun thinking about all our amazing differences.

Getting to know the new books.

This week pupils have been getting to know their new books. They have come up with great ideas about the text by looking at the blurb and front cover. 

Here are some of our ideas. 

Makaton

Each week pupils will learn a new Makaton sign in assembly. We love Makaton because it allows those who are pre-verbal to interact in a "sign and speech" manner. 

Already we have learned 'friend' and 'school'.

Why not ask your child about the sign of the week?

New Year, new books!

This year in Nurture the books that have been chosen are really exciting! 

Below you can see our new displays for each book.

Reception will be concentrating on Elmer 

Y1/2 will be reading On Sudden Hill

Y3/4 will be reading The Boy Who Grew Dragons

Y5/6 will be reading The Secret of Haven Point

From these books Mrs. Richardson carefully pulls out activities that support the pupils in developing the social and emotional skills. 

If you would like further information regarding this please feel free to come to our At Home evening on Thursday. 

We have been very busy in Juniper Room this term.   The children have produced some wonderful work from the books we have been reading in Nurture Group. The books are:-

Years 5/6 - A Pocketful of Stars

Years 3/4 - The Last Bear 

Years 1/2 -  Ellie and the Cat

You are more than welcome to come and see the work that is on display in Juniper Room.  

Children across the school have been getting outside in the sunshine to tend to our Vegetable Garden and Peace Gardens. They were proud to show off to the Colchester Schools in Bloom judges who visited us on Tuesday. The judges were very impressed, not only with the work that has gone into our gardens, but also with the enthusiasm, confidence and knowledge the children showed. We are attending an awards ceremony at Colchester Town Hall on Tuesday 20th June 2023 with four children. Watch this space!  

In Reception and Year 1 we had fun making seed bombs which have been thrown (enthusiastically) into the Peace Garden border.  We used a mix of wildflower seeds, shredded (blended) paper and water.  

We have enjoyed reading Jack and the Beanstalk in Reception.  The children were fascinated that they were able to grow a beanstalk by soaking their seeds in cotton wool. They are keeping an eye on the beanstalks in the Vegetable Garden and are keen to climb them as soon as they are big/strong enough. The children's imaginations have run riot and they are hoping that there are all manner of things at the top.     

Nurture at Myland

As a parent, you may have heard the term "Nurture Group" being mentioned by your child. This article will provide you with an overview of what nurture groups are, their impact, and the six principles that guide them.

What is Nurture?

Nurture groups are small, structured, and focused classes that aim to provide additional support to children who are struggling with social, emotional, and behavioural difficulties. These groups are usually made up of a maximum of ten children and are run by trained teachers or teaching assistants who use a variety of strategies to help the children develop their self-esteem, social skills, and academic ability.

What Impact Do We See from Nurture?

Nurture groups have been shown to have a positive impact on children's academic progress, behaviour, and mental health. Children who attend nurture groups are more likely to show improved social skills, better emotional regulation, and a reduction in challenging behaviour.

What Are the Six Principles of Nurture?

Nurture groups are guided by six principles that ensure they provide a safe, structured, and nurturing environment for children to learn and grow. These principles are:

1. Children's Learning is understood Developmentally - Nurture groups recognize that children develop at different rates and stages and that a child's current stage of development should be considered when planning their education.
2. The Classroom offers a Safe Base - Nurture groups aim to create a safe and predictable environment where children can feel secure and build positive relationships with their peers and teachers.
3. Nurture is important for the Development of Self-Esteem - Nurture groups aim to build children's self-esteem by providing them with positive feedback and recognizing their achievements.
4. Language is a Vital means of Communication - Nurture groups recognize that language is essential for communication and aim to develop children's language skills through various activities and strategies.
5. All Behaviour is Communication - Nurture groups aim to understand and respond to children's behaviour in a positive way, recognizing that behaviour is often a means of communication.
6. The Importance of Transition in Children's Lives - Nurture groups recognize that transitions can be difficult for children and aim to provide support during these times, such as when moving to a new school or class.

What does Nurture look like at Myland Primary School?

Mrs. Richardson takes weekly small groups for 30 to 40 minutes each. This time is decided alongside the class teacher to minimise the impact on other aspects of learning. In keeping with the whole school’s ethos, Nurture Groups are based around quality rich texts where emotions, relationships and diversity are explored.

How is my child selected for a Nurture group?

Discussing with the class teacher, support staff and SLT, Mrs. Richardson forms groups of children who have a barrier to learning that could be best addressed by a Nurture group. The aim of the Nurture groups is to develop confidence, empathise and develop learning behaviours and social skills which can then be transferred to the classroom. Nurture groups are not about academic ability, they are about social, emotional and wellbeing; a dysregulated child will struggle to learn.

My child is in a Nurture Group, how will I know what will be covered within the sessions?

Mrs. Richardson plans activities that engage and support the children’s needs using quality rich texts at the heart of every session. The sessions are engaging, creative and build on each pupil’s strengths. To find out more over the year, please visit this page where we will offer regular updates, or please feel free to attend our “At Home” on a Thursday.

Alongside our Nurture Groups, we work with children using different approaches to suit each child’s individual needs, such as Thrive. For more information, please do not hesitate to contact us either via phone (01206852109), our ‘At Home’ evening on a Thursday, or email senco@myland.essex.sch.uk.

For children in Reception, we aim for all children to come to Juniper Room for at least one session as part of their learning