Weather makes for a great long term project, especially at this autumnal time of year when the weather is quite changeable. Observing the weather ticks a number of EYFS boxes, particularly in Communication and Language and Understanding the World but you can also extend it into Literacy by having your older toddlers write weather symbols, and you can easily create counting games based on weather observations.

You can buy some really good weather and calendar charts, but you can make them yourself at almost no cost.  Just create a chart on a large sheet of paper covering the days of the week and cut out some weather symbols stuck onto card.  Have your little ones select the right weather symbols to match the current weather.

Because the weather can change, they can add symbols for each type of weather during the day.  It may start off sunny, cloud over and then rain before clearing up again.  Instill observation in your little ones by encouraging them, proactively, to add a symbol to the weather chart each time they observe a change outside.

Getting children up for nursery or school always seems harder in the winter - it’s still dark outside, it’s chilly and it seems so much better to stay in bed. However, get up we must!  One way to get the children into a good morning routine is to create a morning picture chart  This helps them know what they are doing, it sets a president so they know it’s always going to be the same and it helps us too as parents guide the children through the morning.

Make a list of the tasks you usually do in the mornings:

1. Wake up
2. Get dressed
3. Brush hair
4. Breakfast
5. Wash teeth
6. Collect bag/shoes for nursery
7. Head off to nursery

Find pictures to illustrate each task. Do this together.

• Draw a clock and colour it in for the wake up picture.
• Stick on a label from the cereal packet or toothpaste tube for the breakfast or wash teeth image.
• Take a photo of your child all dressed and ready to go by the door for the leave for nursery picture.

Different charts may work for different children:

• Pre-schoolers: Choose a strip of card and stick the pictures in order along the card. Had it up on the wall
• Toddlers: Have larger cards and show them each on when you want them to get on with that activity.

Good luck!