Junior Infants have been fully immersed in the world of gardening and nature, engaging in activities that support key learning while fostering a love of the environment.
The children planted cress and sunflower seeds, learning about plant life cycles, the parts of the plant and what living things need to grow. This hands-on activity encouraged responsibility and care, linking directly to SESE and promoting lifelong skills such as observation, patience, and nurturing.
Our garden centre role play area provided rich opportunities for developing oral language, early maths skills (sorting, counting, using money), and social development, as children took on roles such as gardener, cashier, and customer.
Creative expression was at the forefront during art sessions, where children made flowers, pots, and bouquets using various materials. These activities supported fine motor development essential for handwriting and self-care tasks.
Using playdough to build garden scenes further strengthened fine motor control, encouraging imagination while preparing young hands for writing and tool use.
We also enjoyed nature walks, where children explored signs of spring, from blooming flowers to buzzing insects. These outings supported gross motor skills, spatial awareness, and enquiry-based learning. A special focus on birds, especially the blue tit, helped children connect with local wildlife and deepened their understanding of the world around them.
Through this theme, our Junior Infants are developing foundational skills across all areas of learning—physical, cognitive, social, and emotional—while building a deep and lasting connection to nature and their environment.