--- title: "Nursery / Pre-School - Literacy - Using Gross And Fine Motor Skills To Put The Fires Out" url: "https://darwenstjames.co.uk/news/2026-03-09-nursery-pre-school-literacy-using-gross-and-fine-motor-skills-to-put-the-fires-out" school: "Darwen St James’ C of E Primary Academy" --- # Nursery / Pre-School - Literacy - Using Gross And Fine Motor Skills To Put The Fires Out ![](https://files.schudio.com/darwen-st-james-c-of-e-primary-academy/images/news/f683fcd2-1c46-4b4e-a461-0532ca2aa334.jpg) 9 March 2026 Oh no! The nursery was "on fire" this week, and our brave children jumped at the opportunity to act out their firefighter dreams to help save the day. This high-energy role-play was a fantastic way for the children to develop their communication and language skills as they worked together to shout "Help!" and "Fire!" To "put out the fires," the children used a variety of tools that provided a brilliant workout for their fine motor skills and hand strength. They practiced different movements to build up their muscles by squeezing spray bottles and sponges, pinching pipettes to drop water onto the "flames," and gripping paint brushes to "paint" water over the fire. It was wonderful to see the children so engaged in their mission. By using these tools, they are not only being heroic firefighters but also developing the essential coordination and strength needed for their future writing journeys! ![](https://darwen-st-james-c-of-e-primary-academy.schudio.com/images/news/f683fcd2-1c46-4b4e-a461-0532ca2aa334.jpg) [Nursery](https://darwenstjames.co.uk/news/tag/nursery) [Early Years Foundation Stage](https://darwenstjames.co.uk/news/tag/early-years-foundation-stage) [Pre School](https://darwenstjames.co.uk/news/tag/pre-school) [![](https://files.schudio.com/darwen-st-james-c-of-e-primary-academy/imagecache/100x100c/news/adb29b81-29f5-4fbc-b9c0-4f65125368d3.jpeg)](https://darwenstjames.co.uk/news/2026-03-06-world-book-day-reading-cafe) Previous ### [World Book Day Reading Cafe](https://darwenstjames.co.uk/news/2026-03-06-world-book-day-reading-cafe) [![](https://files.schudio.com/darwen-st-james-c-of-e-primary-academy/imagecache/100x100c/news/05ac610c-2b5a-4f41-95d4-6e88238e865c.jpg)](https://darwenstjames.co.uk/news/2026-03-10-year-3-p-e-dance-workshop) Next ### [Year 3 - P.E - Dance Workshop](https://darwenstjames.co.uk/news/2026-03-10-year-3-p-e-dance-workshop) ### Academy Life - [News](https://darwenstjames.co.uk/news) - [Events](https://darwenstjames.co.uk/events) - [Clubs](https://darwenstjames.co.uk/academy-life/basc) - [School Council](https://darwenstjames.co.uk/academy-life/school-council) - [Attendance](https://darwenstjames.co.uk/academy-life/attendance) - [Charities and Fundrasing](https://darwenstjames.co.uk/academy-life/charities-and-fundraising) - ![School Games Gold](https://files.schudio.com/darwen-st-james-c-of-e-primary-academy/images/partners/Gold_Logo_25-26(1).png) - ![Healthy school](https://files.schudio.com/darwen-st-james-c-of-e-primary-academy/images/partners/healthy_school.png) - ![Picture News](https://files.schudio.com/darwen-st-james-c-of-e-primary-academy/images/partners/6_Years_of_Picture_News.png) - ![AP smilestar](https://files.schudio.com/darwen-st-james-c-of-e-primary-academy/images/partners/Screenshot_2026-07-27_10.26.27.png) ##### Location St James Crescent Darwen Lancashire BB3 0EY ##### Contact Us 01254 703260 ##### Stay Connected - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/Darwenstjames) - [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/darwenstjames/) © Copyright 2021–2026 Darwen St James’ C of E Primary Academy School & Trust Websites by [ ![Schudio logo](https://darwenstjames.co.uk/img/logo/light.png) ](https://www.schudio.com/)