We all love PJ masks at Mucky Pups and this year Pyjamarama with The Book Trust will be very different but what better excuse to snuggle up and stay in your pyjamas all day and read or listen to books. There are tons of great activities for you and your little (or not so litlle) ones to enjoy.
The staff are joining into so look out for their photos and book reviews later in the week but while you're waiting have a look at the website by clicking on the image above.;

​

We're all at home staying safe and spending time with our families.
​This can create many different challenges but also huge rewards. Many of you have been sending us pictures either through Facebook, Capture or email.
Here are a few to share with you to see what some of our "Mucky Pups Family" have been doing while we're away.

​Here at Mucky Pups stories are very important in our day to day life. The staff LOVE telling stories!
We have an author and story of the month, a daily story time at the end of each session and books everywhere in nursery. We love to snuggle up and share stories inside and outside and the children love it to!
There is so much learning that happens while you read together;
Developing language, widening vocabulary,, hearing and predicting rhymes, seeing and hearing letter sounds and words, noticing punctuation,  Who is the author and who illustrated the book and learning how to handle books and how to turn the page,. It also helps us learn and make sense of the world around us, different countries and cultures and how to deal with those big feelings both good and bad we all have especially at times like these.. 
​
A story read together is NEVER a waste of time! Sometimes it is difficult to always share a story together and during lock down there are some amazing stories being read on the internet by famous and not so famous people.

Our very own Story Guru Joe who has been recording stories for you all to watch and listen to while you are at home. Here are the first four of many I'm sure;
Smartest Giant;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21SSdyOfz-E&feature=youtu.be
Elmer;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szAekuezYvw&feature=youtu.be
Ouch in my Pouch;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pphm9EkBUac&feature=youtu.be
Billy's Bucket;
​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0m3o7rPtyc&feature=youtu.be

Why not have a look at some of them?
Lancashire Libraries have some free audible books; 
https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/libraries-and-archives/libraries/your-library-at-home
And Amazon have put many free books on their Audible platform
https://stories.audible.com/discovery 
Cbeebies have a wealth of stories but also a story time App which you can find on The hungry Little Minds website; https://hungrylittleminds.campaign.gov.uk/
The Book Trust; https://www.booktrust.org.uk/
Read Comics online too; https://readcomicsonline.ru/
Axel Scheffler from The Gruffalo has put together a book to help children to make sense of the virus too. Here's the link;
https://nosycrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Coronavirus-A-Book-for-Children.pdf

At this time stories and reading can offer a real escape from the world both for adults and children. It is important you take time for yourselves too and seeing you enjoying reading of every kind is also a HUGE learning experience for your child so don't feel guilty just get them to cuddle up with their own book next to you.

And lastly, it's "Pyjamarama" Day on 1st May and last year we had a wonderful time in our pj's all day reading. Why not join in at home this year and send us your pictures! Just sign up here to see activities and ideas '
https://www.booktrust.org.uk/books-and-reading/have-some-fun/pyjamarama/pyjamarama-activities/

And remember in the words of Dr Seuss..... ​ 

 
​On Thursday (tomorrow) all our preschool children will find out which school they to start in September and we really hope that all of you are successful!
This is an unusual time with many changes happening to us all but  and a lot of uncertainty about what is happening but the move to big school is an important time in your child's life and though it can bring heartache to many of you it is up to us to prepare them for this change and make it a positive an exciting adventure for them all no matter how emotional we may feel.
There are lots of things you can do to help prepare yourself and your child for the move to "Big School" in September and hopefully we will be able to support you with this while you are away and when we return before the Summer  (fingers crossed) .
Here are our tips to help!

1. Have a look at your new school's website: It should have lots of information on it to help you familarise you both with it even though you can't visit at the moment. It may even have pictures of the teachers on so you can get to know some faces.
2. Talk about school life and routines; What time does it start and end? How will you get there? Who will take them and pick them up? Discuss all the fun things school has to offer and what they will learn there. Be POSITIVE no matter how nervous you are, your child needs to feel happy and calm that this is nothing to worry about and it is an exciting new adventure. It’s sure to take away some of the nerves.​
3. Develop their independence; It's the most important thing you can help your child with before they start school and will all give them a sense of independence and reduce the anxiety with having to do these things by themselves at school.  At Mucky Pups we encourage ALL our children to do things by themselves, with help and support to begin with but then on their own and then to help our little ones with their tasks too.  make sure they can wash their hands, use the toilet independently and wash their hands afterwards, put on and take off their coat, wipe their nose, open their lunchtime snacks and use an open drinking cup and a  knife and fork. 
4. Talk time; Most of us are having a lot more time together. Take this time to encourage conversations with your child, ask questions and describing the world around them and encourage them to do the same e.g. sounds, shapes, textures etc.
5. Sing songs; nursery rhymes, number counting songs and songs from the radio help to encourage an understanding of rhyme and rhythm as well as developing their creativity.
6. Listen; Listen, identify and describe the sounds around them. Loud, quiet, near far, What are they? Play listening games; I spy with animals, sounds, colours and letters. This is an important part of learning and phonics and will help your child with reading ENORMOUSLY.
7. Count in everyday life; count actions such as claps, jumps steps and stairs. Point out numbers in the world around them; door numbers on your daily exercise, in books, on tins and cans and around the house.
8. Share stories about starting school: Another great way to introduce the idea of “big school” is through the use of books, there are lots of them out there and you can find a list at Oxford Owl with links to Amazon should you wish to buy any of them.​

There are more tips and handy hints on our Facebook page and Twitter and Pacey have many more ideas.
See the link:

Good Luck!