Ioan and Finny set up this Gruffalo tray for Cian’s 4th birthday today.

Resources

  • Bajo Gruffalo characters
  • Log slices
  • Wooden spools
  • Wooden rings
  • Pebbles
  • Grimm’s rainbow
  • Grimm’s building boards

Method

When Cian walked in, he walked round the tray trying to find all the Gruffalo characters.

He then started acting out the story with the mouse.

He called Finny over to join in as Fox.

Cian had really settled into the role of director by this point and Ioan got roped in to play Owl in the next section. Ioan went to leave the scene too early, so Cian pointed out the mistake, paused for a minute while he thought, then delivered his line.

Finny got to play Snake. Cian forgot what the description of the Grufalo was for Snake, so I held the book up for him.

Finny now swapped to become the Gruffalo and Ioan narrated.

Ioan now became Snake, alongside Cian as Mouse and Finny as Gruffalo.

Then Ioan resumed his role as Owl. I kept the video running at the end this time to show Cian’s directing his big brothers.

Next, Mouse and Gruffalo bumped into Fox.

“All was quiet in the deep, dark wood. The mouse found a nut and the nut was good.”

Our favourite birthday Gruffalo.

DfES Early Learning Goals (2017)

Communication and language

ELG 03 – Speaking:

Children express themselves effectively, showing awareness of listeners’ needs. They use past, present and future forms accurately when talking about events that have happened or are to happen in the future. They develop their own narratives and explanations by connecting ideas or events.

Personal, social and emotional development

ELG 08 – Making relationships:

Children play co-operatively, taking turns with others. They take account of one another’s ideas about how to organise their activity. They show sensitivity to others’ needs and feelings, and form positive relationships with adults and other children.

Expressive arts and design

ELG 17 – Being imaginative:

Children use what they have learnt about media and materials in original ways, thinking about uses and purposes. They represent their own ideas, thoughts and feelings through design and technology, art, music, dance, role-play and stories.