Today in the baby room, the children explored a creative farm themed activity using our favourite nursery rhyme old McDonald had a farm to create a sensory tray as the base for our small-world play. We filled the tray with a variety of edible, sensory materials to represent different farm environments.
The babies eagerly investigated the materials with their hands, scooping, squeezing, and tasting as they explored. We added a selection of farm animal figures, which encouraged the children to engage in imaginative play moving the animals around, placing them in the different “environments,” and experimenting with sounds.
Throughout the activity, we talked about the different noises each animal makes, modelling words such as “moo,” “baa,” and “oink.” Several of the children showed great enthusiasm, attempting to repeat the sounds and copying actions as we played together. This activity supported sensory development, early language skills, and imaginative play, while giving the babies a rich, hands-on experience inspired by the farm.