Enhancing Playtime Opportunities:
Enhancing Playtime Opportunities – Shine with Courage
This week, our Enhancing Playtime Opportunities (EPO) theme has been Shine with Courage, linked to Refugee Week. Through a range of engaging activities, children have explored what it means to be brave, kind and welcoming, while promoting a strong sense of belonging and inclusion for all.
Our large group activity focused on parachute games, encouraging teamwork, confidence and communication. In The Courage Wave, children shared examples of brave things they have done while creating gentle waves with the parachute. During Pass the Courage Ball, children reflected on acts of kindness and moments of courage, and in Together We Rise, they worked collaboratively to keep balls moving across the parachute without falling off, discussing how courage is often strengthened when we support one another.
In small groups, children completed Courage Challenge Cards, encouraging them to try something new, include others in their play, show kindness and build their confidence.
Our creative activity, Pebbles of Hope, gave children the opportunity to decorate pebbles with positive messages and symbols of hope. These will contribute to a shared display celebrating kindness, resilience and community.
Children also enjoyed the independent Welcome Trail, where they discovered how to say "welcome" in different languages. This activity celebrated diversity and helped children understand the importance of making everyone feel valued, included and safe.
It has been wonderful to see children demonstrating courage, empathy and friendship throughout the week, while learning about the importance of welcoming others and helping everyone feel they belong.
