School nursery/reception - what do your dc's bring home?

[themuppetshow]

DS has just started nursery class attached to primary. I know it's very early days, but he hasn't done anything to bring home in three weeks.

I know that they learn through play and they choose what they want to do without any directed outcome etc, but I was thinking I might get a painting or drawing, something cutted and sticked, junk model, mask, anything, by now. We had to buy a school-branded book bag to take things home in. Always been empty!

I'm just not entirely convinced that within a 3 hour session of free-play, some guided activity with a end-result can't take place. Story time not every-day either.

Does this sound typical and is reception likely to be more of the same!

also at this age it is about process not result. If you watch a 3 yo old paint, they may start with nice colours on th epaper and then they will experiment, adding more colour, seeing what happens if you put all the colours on top of each other, or painting the whole page blue, again and again just because it feels good to make that intense blue space. When they have finished, they may chuck it in the bin, because the end result isn't that important compared to the process of exploring paint.

DD (now 7) used to bring home bits of crap made from other people's recycling artwork every day - tons of the stuff plus paper covered in glue and glitter and scaps of paper with scribbles on them

DS (currently 3.5 and at same private nursery and pre-school) - all we've had since August is a bit of wood with a nail hammered into it, a kitchen towel tube with some blue and a fruit shoot box with a toilet roll glued to it.

If, as you say, no-one is bringing anything home I would question how they are letting the kids get creative and develop their artwork. Maybe you could speak to the staff to see what their policy is on this?

Er, glue obviously

No it's not been on offer up to now steppemum. I'm sure because at pick up parents check trays to see what's in them and I've had few jokey comments about lack of stuff with other mums.

Also never has paint, glue, glitter on his hands in his hair at all!

Thanks Mrz - will do that.

If none of that kind of activity is on offer is it reasonable to mention it, do you think and also storytime/circletime - they don't do this every day and I just kind of expected they would have time on the carpet having a story read to them each day.

definitley should be on offer, free painting, and also another crafty activity (glue/playdough/junk modelling)
story every day is pretty essential, so is singing/nursery rhymes/counting games
should have sand and water out every day (sometimes wet, sometimes dry, sometimes with bubbles/sometimes with food colouring in water)
should have access to outdoor play (scooters bikes) every day
should be playhouse, construction stuff, dressing up, cars, an imaginative playspace (probably changes each week with theme), books, computer, indoor physical space (climbing frame/tunnel)

Some things may be rotated due to space, but I would expect most of the above most of the time. If not it is seriously not providing a good balanced curriculum.

Start by asking nicely, be charming and be persistent! If you get deadwalled, persist or move him. This should be such a lovely year with so much on offer in a fun space.
Good luck

just read that back
'water ...sometimes wet sometimes dry'

My daughter went to two different nurseries and only brought home official holiday crafts which had obviously been made by her carers. But at home she is always painting, drawing, writing (after a fashion) It's funny, but her end of nursery report mentioned that she loved to draw pictures and write captions beneath them and yet none of this behaviour was sent home with her. I guess it just got chucked in the bin. (Odd really.)

DD 3 has bought home paintings, boxes stuck to boxes (ahem I mean...mummys house ), cookies she has baked, and after 2 days full time-homework and a reading book . Clearly I spent too much time having fun with my daughter as she needs to be writing her numbers by now .

DS brought home about 5 or 6 things a year. He was keen on craft etc at home but not at nursery/reception.

DD brought home about 5 or 6 things a day. Her group of friends all did the same. Actually I think they spent lots of time at the drawing table chatting.

DS was much easier from the point of view I never had to worry what on earth to do with all his stuff artistic creations.