Combining nature and music this baby and toddler group is the perfect autumnal day activity.
Nature Sound Seekers is a child-led group, enabling children to develop their imaginations and experience the natural world their own way. Lizzie starts her session with a welcome song, through which children explore high and low sounds and say hello to the world around them.
Using coloured scarfs children then join in with a song, whilst Lizzie plays her ukulele, about the nature they can see, and play the all time favourite peak-a-boo game. Next, Lizzie tells an action story about woodland creatures and the children are encouraged to take a different soft toy from a bag.
They are given the time to explore what sounds the animals might make and what movements they might copy, turning this into a dance. My son chose a spider and tickled its legs against him.
The children are encouraged to further develop their sensorial skills by using homemade play dough to create animal figures. My son really enjoyed making a hedgehog and using the natural resources around him to make its features.
Lizzie uses a magical star print blanket for a parachute song; the children love to watch the multi-coloured stars shining in the sun.
My son and the other children really enjoyed watching Lizzie play her ukulele and at the end they were allowed to have a go at strumming.
Lizzie then uses a bubble machine so the children can run around and pop the bubbles, exploring the natural world around them further.
It is held at the Nature Discovery Centre in Thatcham and fully utilises the beautiful nature in this area. There is free parking at the centre, although a donation to the Bucks & Oxon wild life trust for parking is appreciated. There is a brilliant play park on the site, which my son enjoyed after the group, as well as splashing in the puddles! There is also a café; great for joining the other parents for a hot drink after the group. The session lasts for 45 minutes and is appropriate for children age 1-5 years.
Find all the baby & toddler classes and groups in Thatcham.
