Happy New Year! The Junior Infants have had a fantastic start to 2026 and have settled back into school life with great enthusiasm, curiosity and excitement for learning. January has been a busy and joyful month, filled with hands-on learning, creativity and plenty of smiles.
In Maths, the children explored 3D shapes, learning all about spheres and cubes. They sorted shapes in their environment and even made their own spheres and cubes using Play-Doh, which was a huge hit. We also worked on finding groups, where the children rolled a dice and matched the number shown to groups on the page, developing early number sense in a fun, active way.
In Oral Language, the children brought their teddies to school. Each child explained why their teddy was special to them, where it sleeps at home, and how it helps them feel happy or safe. This activity encouraged confidence, clear speaking and listening skills, and was a lovely way for the children to share a little piece of home with the class.
As part of Science, Technology and Engineering (STE), we explored our winter theme through a variety of STEM activities. The children designed and made snowflakes, experimenting with shapes, symmetry and materials, and took part in other winter-themed construction and problem-solving challenges, encouraging creativity and early engineering skills.
In Phonics, we focused on the letters J, Z, V and W. The children engaged in lots of multi-sensory activities, forming letters using rice, Play-Doh, kinetic sand and other touch-and-feel materials, helping to build strong sound–letter connections in a playful and memorable way.
The children also enjoyed ICT time, using the iPads to play Balloon Phonics to reinforce learning in an interactive way.
Our Visual Arts work has been full of colour and creativity. The children took part in marble painting inspired by Jason Pollock, explored free painting, created their 2026 handprints, and worked on a collaborative art project with Ms. Blackwell’s Junior Infants. We also made beautiful St. Brigid’s Day cloak collages, learning about this important Irish tradition through art.
In English, we explored explanatory writing by learning how to explain how to make hot chocolate. The children sequenced the steps using language such as first, next and last — and of course, the best part was enjoying a warm cup of hot chocolate together afterwards!
In Ms. Blackwell’s Junior Infants, the children have also been busy learning through play and exploration. In Maths, they explored growing patterns and 3D shapes, and took part in a fun shape scavenger hunt, spotting shapes in their classroom and school environment. Through STEM, the children investigated materials, testing their strength and discovering which were best for different purposes. In Visual Arts, they enjoyed painting in action, including energetic marble painting, where movement and colour came together in creative ways. Alongside this, the children engaged in lots of the rich, hands-on learning that is so important in Junior Infants — developing early language, problem-solving, fine motor skills and confidence through purposeful play and guided activities.
I nGaeilge, d’fhoghlaim na páistí faoi an fear sneachta. D’fhoghlaim siad na huimhreacha a haon, a dó, a trí, a ceathair agus a cúig trí chluichí agus amhráin. D’fhoghlaim na páistí focail nua freisin a bhaineann leis an bhfear sneachta, mar shampla cairéad don tsrón, scairf, hata agus cnaipí. D’fhoghlaim muid faoi an aimsir i nGaeilge agus chanamar cúpla amhrán, lena n-áirítear amhrán faoin aimsir agus amhrán faoin bhfear sneachta.
