Useful resources or websites to support learning

You will know as soon as you type anything in to google you are bombarded with an amazing amount of pages to fulfil your search. However, so many sites can cause confusion and the feeling of not knowing where to start.
 
I've started to compile a useful list of resources and websites that you may find useful to support your child as they progress through Nursery. 
Our main aim is that each child is healthy, happy and learns to the very best of their own ability. In the Early Years we believe that young children learn best through play, therefore we follow a play based curriculum- teaching fundamental skills in an informal and enjoyable way. 
 Phonics and Reading
As we begin our journey through phonics, we first explore Phase 1, which is listening to, identifying and matching sounds, creating and copying sounds, using our bodies to create sounds and discriminating sounds around us. We use the Letters and Sounds document throughout this phase.
As we move to Phase 2, we move to the Read, Write, Inc scheme by Ruth Miskin. This is a systematic approach to phonics, where individual sounds are learned in order before using them to build up in to words for early reading. 
Ruth Miskins Read, Write Inc website is full of additional information for you to browse through
www.readwriteinc.com
I have attached a letter formation guide which shows the formation rhyme children will learn for each sound. 
Reading Eggs and Oxford Owls are fantastic websites to support early writing. Phonics Play is a fun online website where children play games to support their learning of phonics. 
 
Maths
In Maths we use a range of resources to support early maths skills as we want children to have a deep understanding of mathematical concepts early on. We use Number Blocks and White Rose Maths to support learning. Numbers are so much more than simply counting in rote, children need to understand the concept of what a number is, e.g. 5 is 2+3, 4+1, 1 less than 6, 5 less than 10 etc. They will explore all of the different ways a number can be made with numicon, blocks etc. How can we explore it with the Part Whole Model. What does the numeral 5 look like? How does it look on a dice? What is the 5p coin like? Can we tally it? What is 1 more than/ 1 less than a number? 
 
Gross and Fine Motor Skills
Motor skills- practice running, hopping, skipping and jumping. Climbing on top of, under and around obstacles. Ride scooters and bikes to improve core stability and balance. 
Fine motor skills are also a continuing learning journey throughout EYFS as little hands and fingers have to develop and become strong enough to hold and manipulate writing tools for later life. 
I've attached a handy booklet of activities to use as support, however lots of play with playdough, threading, beads and Lego will hugely help in this area also.
 
Basic life skills- children should practice;
Putting on their own coat and shoes
washing their own hands
begin to go to the toilet independently
ask for help when they need it
using a knife and fork
We will ALWAYS help your child with ALL of these things, while we support them developing the skills to do it themselves in the future. 
 
I will continue to add to this page as the year progresses and as I find more useful resources and websites.