MonkeyMoos

Let's talk behaviour at Huntley Wharf....

Behaviour in early years (0–5 years) is a primary form of communication, representing how children express needs, emotions, and reactions when they lack the language or maturity to do so verbally.

It includes emotional outbursts (tantrums), social interactions, and reactions to exhaustion or being overwhelmed, requiring adult co-regulation to develop self-regulation.

Key aspects of behaviour in early years include:

Communication of Needs: Behaviors such as crying, tantrums, biting, or throwing are ways children express hunger, tiredness, frustration, or a need for comfort.

Brain Development: Children cannot easily control their emotions, as their brains are still developing; this makes challenging behavior normal, particularly between 18 months and 5 years.

Developmental Stages:

Babies: Behavior is instinctive (crying, wriggling) and used to meet immediate needs.

Toddlers (2-year-olds): Often use "no" and tantrums to assert independence.

Preschoolers (4-5 years): Begin understanding social rules, sharing, and empathy, though they may still be argumentative and need adult support for self-control.

Positive Behaviour Support: This focuses on understanding the underlying reason for the behavior—viewing it as a message—rather than just reacting to the action.

Influencing Factors: Behavior is affected by hunger, tiredness, routine changes, and the environment (e.g., noise, space)

Core Characteristics: Behaviors are linked to how children learn, including exploring, risk-taking, concentrating, and building resilience

Effective support involves consistency, nurturing relationships, and helping children manage big feelings through "co-regulation"—a trusted adult guiding them to calm down.

In the lobby we have displayed lots of information around behaviour, there are sticker charts, conversation prompts and our behaviour policy.

Please feel free to speak to a member of staff at pick up for anymore information

A week filled with lots of fun for our MonkeyMooers at Huntley Wharf. We’ve been building strong friendships 💑and developing our confidence during play. Together, we’re learning to express our emotions with words and by sharing in each other’s play. Cuddles, hand-holding, smiles, and laughter have brightened our days at nursery. We also enjoyed making homemade playdough. When the staff asked what we’d like to play with, “playdough” was our top choice! We helped gather the ingredients, mixed 🥣everything up, and set out playdough tools. Many hours were spent rolling, pulling, pushing, cutting, squashing, and patting the dough into various shapes and objects. At the arts and crafts table, we participated in cutting✂️, gluing, and painting 🖌️ alongside a staff member. Some mornings, we experienced very foggy 🌁 weather, and we recreated this in our tuff tray using icing sugar. We made marks with our fingers 👆🏼and walked 🚶🏼 through sugar clouds, which was a bit messy but so much fun! We also had a wonderful time with bubbles. Taking turns, we blew bubbles 🫧while a staff member dipped the stick into the solution. We jumped, hopped, and clapped our hands in excitement as we chased the bubbles, filling the air with joy and delight.

The Best "No-Cook" Recipe (Boiling Water Method)

This version produces the smoothest texture and lasts for months if stored properly.

Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour 

1 cup salt 

2 tbsp cream of tartar (optional, but makes it extra soft) 

2 tbsp vegetable oil 

1 ½ cups boiling water 

Food colouring (optional) 

Instructions:

Whisk dry ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the flour, salt, and cream of tartar 

Add liquids: Stir in the oil and food colouring. Carefully pour in the boiling water 

Mix and wait: Stir with a spoon until it forms a "goopy" mass. Let it sit for 5 minutes to firm up 

Knead: Once cool enough to handle, knead the dough on a flat surface until it is smooth and no longer sticky

Huntley Wharf explored the children's interest in space.🚀
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