At Willows Preschool, we believe that fostering a love for books and storytelling from an early age is essential for a child’s cognitive and language development. This week, our pre-schoolers had a fantastic opportunity to explore the vibrant and engaging world of literature as they embarked on a special trip to the local library in Hammersmith. The excursion was filled with excitement, learning, and plenty of opportunities to immerse themselves in the magic of books.
A Journey into the World of Books
As the children arrived at the library, their eyes lit up with curiosity and anticipation. The library was a warm and welcoming space, filled with shelves of colorful books, cozy reading nooks, and engaging displays that sparked their interest in reading. Our young learners eagerly wandered through the different sections, selecting books that caught their attention.
With the support of their teachers, they learned how libraries work, how to borrow books, and how to treat books with care and respect. Many of the children were delighted to be able to choose their own books, and they eagerly shared their selections with their friends and teachers. This sense of independence and choice helped nurture their enthusiasm for reading, as they felt a sense of ownership over their literary discoveries.
Exploring the Power of Storytelling
One of the highlights of our visit was the focus on storytelling. The library was a lively and engaging space that encouraged creativity and imagination. The children gathered together in a cozy corner as one of the librarians read a beautifully illustrated picture book. The story was brought to life with expressive voices, dramatic pauses, and engaging gestures, capturing the children’s full attention and sparking their imaginations.
Inspired by the storytelling session, some of our children began making up their own stories. They eagerly flipped through the pages of their chosen books, creating their own narratives based on the pictures they saw. This spontaneous engagement with storytelling reinforced their language development and communication skills while fostering a sense of creativity.
A Special Singing Time with Local Spanish-Speaking Mothers
As we explored the library, we were fortunate to come across a special event taking place—an interactive singing session organized by a group of local Spanish-speaking mothers. They warmly invited our pre-schoolers to join in the fun, and it was a truly heartwarming experience.
The children clapped, danced, and swayed along to the rhythm of traditional Spanish songs. The upbeat melodies and lively actions created an atmosphere of pure joy and inclusivity. Even those who were unfamiliar with the language quickly picked up on the rhythms and gestures, making it a fantastic cultural experience. The session not only introduced the children to new sounds and languages but also encouraged movement, coordination, and social interaction.
It was wonderful to see the children embrace the experience with open arms, dancing freely and engaging with the music. Moments like these reinforce the importance of community, diversity, and the joy of shared experiences.
Focusing on Oral Hygiene Through Books
At Willows Preschool, we integrate our excursions with our current learning themes. Our focus this term has been on oral hygiene, helping children understand the importance of taking care of their teeth and making healthy food choices. With this in mind, we took the opportunity to borrow books related to healthy eating, tasting, and dental care.
The children excitedly browsed through books featuring friendly tooth fairies, playful characters explaining the importance of brushing, and fun facts about different types of food. Selecting these books allowed them to further explore the concepts they had been learning in the classroom and encouraged them to ask thoughtful questions about health and nutrition.
Bringing these books back to our nursery ensured that the learning would continue beyond the library visit, providing more opportunities for discussion and reinforcing key messages about taking care of our teeth.
An Afternoon of Learning Through Discussion and Crafts
Following our inspiring morning at the library, the children returned to preschool with renewed enthusiasm. In the afternoon, they participated in a focused discussion about healthy and unhealthy foods. Using the knowledge they had gained from the books, they shared their thoughts on which foods help keep their teeth strong and which ones could cause cavities if eaten too often.
This discussion was followed by a creative craft activity where the children made posters showcasing different types of food. Using cut-out pictures from magazines, colored paper, and stickers, they created vibrant collages dividing foods into “healthy” and “not-so-healthy” categories. This hands-on approach made the learning process fun and engaging, allowing them to express their understanding in a visual and artistic way.
The activity was also an excellent way to prepare for our upcoming visit from oral health specialists. The children were excited to learn more about dental hygiene and had already begun forming thoughtful questions they wanted to ask our special visitors.
A Day to Remember
The library visit was a wonderful experience that combined literacy, cultural appreciation, and health education in a meaningful and engaging way. The children not only had a fantastic time exploring books and storytelling, but they also had the opportunity to engage with their community, learn about different cultures, and deepen their understanding of healthy living.
At Willows Preschool, we are committed to creating enriching experiences that nurture a love of learning, curiosity, and exploration. We are so grateful to Hammersmith Library for welcoming us, to the local Spanish-speaking mothers for sharing their music, and to our enthusiastic pre-schoolers who made the day so special.
We look forward to more exciting adventures in the future and can’t wait to see where our next learning journey takes us!
