Songs:  (These were some of the songs and books we read)

  • Where is Thumbkin?
  • ABC
  • Open Shut Them
  • The Ists Spider
  •  Mr. Sun
  • Five Little Speckled Frogs
  • Row Row, Row Your Boat
  • If you’re Happy and you Know It Clap Your Hands
  • Five Little Ducks
  • If You Know the Muffin Man
  • You are My Sun Shine
  • Good Morning Songs- Articulating Children Names during the song
  • Head and Shoulders, Knees and Toes
  • Two Little Black Birds

Books:

  • Brown Bear, Brown Bear
  •  Season
  •  Mouse’s First Halloween
  • Seasons
  • ·Maisy Goes to Preschool
  • Shapes
  • Is Your Mama a Llama?
  • Room on the Broom
  • Hooray for Hat?
  • Five Little Monkeys

Critical ways that young children learn include playing, exploring and new experiences, communication with others, meeting physical and mental challenges, being shown to do new things, and practicing and repeating skills, and have fun!

We had a special reader, we also had the Spanish and Music specialists.  Evan often brings an impressive musical instrument to show to the children.  This week he brought a Kalimba.   It initially comes from Africa.  Each child had the opportunity to hold and play the Kalimba.  

We went to buy our Halloween Pumpkin and enjoyed a neighborhood walk.  Toddlers learn from watching the world, especially if we talk with them about it,   “There are so many pumpkins, which one should we choose?”  They saw a considerable amount of balloons in which they experienced looking and observing the designs on them. 

The teacher asked the children, "Where is the sun?"  Ellie, immediately pointed to the sky.  

Art:

  • Painting Pumpkins
  • Painting on Mirrors
  • Dot Dots
  • Painting on Brown Paper

We played some music for them to hear.  In response to the music, Ellie gently swayed, and moved her shoulders up and down.   Music calms and soothes children as they engage and interact. 

This open-ended art activity is all about the process.  The concept “Process Art” applies to young children because it’s how children learn, allows them to be themselves, make their own decision, and most importantly, create!   The goal of arts and crafts is to hone their creativity and to allow their imagination to run free.   It gives children the opportunity to explore the world around them and see how things work.  The children projected unique strokes on their mirrors.  As they see their reflections, they also see the differet strokes they have painted.  They sat and stood up to paint from a new perspective.  They learn what happens when they move their hands and arms sitting and standing.   Painting alongside each other allows children to understand and respect their space, and observe each other’s painting.

 

Sensory

  • Model Magic
  • Exploring the Class Pumpkins: The color, shape, texture, light or heavy

Hugs: Hugs have a way of making us feel warm and fuzzy inside. But aside from making us feel protected and loved, this touching gesture can also do wonders for our well-being. So whether it’s a simple squeeze, a big bear hug or some cute cuddling, let’s celebrate the act of embracing someone.

Remy attempted to pick-up the pumpkin, but it was too heavy.   Instead, she sat on the pumpkin!  As Rheya, Remy, Ellie, and Mario were exploring the pumpkins, the teacher asked some questions: 

  1. What color is the pumpkin? Rheya and Ellie, "Orange!"
  2. Which is the big pumpkin?  Ellie pointed to the biggest pumpkin.
  3. Which is the small pumpkin?  Mario pointed to the pumpkin Ellie was holding and the two small pumpkins he held.
  4. Does Remy have a pumpkin?  Remy answered, "No! Rock." She moved the gourd back and forth. 

Adela, Ellie's mom, came to read to the children this week.  The children enjoyed listening to a special book that Ellie brought from home.  Adela also read It's Fall by Linda Glaser,  a book that explores the Fall Season and animal life.  She asked the children about the animals on each page, and as they pointed to the animals, they continued to listen and focus as Adela reads.   Thank you, Adela.