Last week we took part in many activities to promote positive mental health and well-being. Whilst technology is fantastic and can help us in many ways, as we are now learning at home, we are having a lot of screen time. Therefore, I think it would be nice if our choosing time activities each afternoon provide us with the opportunity to have a digital detox. 

Below are some suggested choosing time activities for today that support children in all areas of the Early Years curriculum. As always though, these are simply ideas and I know you all have some lovely games and toys at home that you might prefer to play with instead. The main thing is, whatever you do, have fun! 

• Personal, Social & Emotional Development - You are special! Draw a picture of yourself and then ask someone in your house to write words or short sentences to describe what makes you marvellous. What are you good at? What makes you special?

• Communication & Language - Bear Hunt. We've all read and loved the story of 'We're all going on a bear hunt'. If you are not isolating and it is safe to go outside, go on your very own bear hunt. Act out the story as you go through the 'long wavy grass' and 'thick oozy mud' etc. 

• Physical Development - Obstacle course! Some of you have had a go at this before and I heard how much you loved it. Set up an obstacle course in a room with some space or outdoors. Use everyday items such as: pillows to jump over, chairs to crawl under, a book to balance on your head whilst walking, large clothes to put on, a hoop to jump in and out of (or you could use string to make a circle on the floor).

• Literacy - Bottle lid letters. Collect different milk and water bottle lids. Use a permanent marker or pen to write some sounds onto them. Can you spell different words using them? Can you match upper and lower case letters? Can you place the letters in alphabetical order?

• Maths - Numberblocks. We all love the Numberblocks at school! As we are having a digital detox today, we are not going to watch the Numberblocks but instead we can make them. Can you create your own Numberblocks character today? You might have blocks or Lego bricks you'd like to use, or maybe you would like to draw your favourite Numberblocks character on paper.  

• Understanding the World - Mini bug hotel. Collect some old wood, bricks, logs, sticks, straw, woodchips, moss, dry leaves, pine cones, sand, soil or any other natural materials. Choose a level spot in your garden and arrange the items into a small structure. Wait to see what bugs (or even small animals) you attract. Can you draw or write about your findings?

• Expressive Arts & Design - Mud painting. Mix some soft mud, food colouring and water together. Use this on thick card to create your muddy artwork.