October 19, 2018

As we engage, interact and formulate different circle time activities, the children are learning to articulate their peers and teachers names, and understand our usual routines. We are observing how the children are adapting and expressing their interests or disinterests. Their pace helps us as teachers to understand their disposition.

Songs that were sung during the week:

ABC
Mr. Sun
Johnny works with one hammer
Mr. Muffin
Head and Shoulders, Knees and Toes
The Wheels on the Bus
What the Weather?
There are 7 Days in a Week..
5 Speckled Frogs, Ducks and Monkeys
Baa Baa Black Sheep
Blow-up a Balloon…..
Old MacDonald
Row, Row, Row Your Boat
You are My Sunshine
Where is Thumbkin…..
Where is Blue…..
Row, Row, Row your boat
Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
We also read a number of books!

Highlights of the Week:

Exploring Bubble Wrap Paper with our Feet!

Investigating and learning through sensory exploration with their feet enhances children’s stimulation of the environment. The children appeared curious and full of wonder as they walk back and forth. Every step they take is helping them to understand the feeling on their feet. They walk a slow and a fast pace and notice that the popping sound changes. They looked intrigued as they walk. Leela attempted to use her toes to press down but did not hear a popping sound. They discovered and learned that speed changed the sounds and that they were able to control that sound by increasing and decreasing their walking pace.

Exploring fingerpaint paper using fingerpaint:

The paper It is different from ordinary drawing, construction and painting paper. The texture and thickness of the paper are different. Fingerpaint paper has a glossy look; it creates a smooth and shiny appearance. The paint also has a different texture from tempera paint.

Blocks:

Young toddlers are instinctively motivated to grasp and feel the blocks. James explored and discovered different shapes in the block area. Maneuvering and touching each side of the block, helps him to build with confidence. He builds his first block structure!

James: “Go, Go, Car!”

I wonder why James selected these blocks! Perhaps the shapes intrigued him, how they felt, or were these blocks easy to grip? Respecting his choice and his structure is an important part of his development. It will encourage him to continue creating other structures using unit blocks. James interests, curiosity and exploration will increase as he pursues engaging at the Block Center and gradually explores other shapes to build and rebuild structures.

The children were boats as they moved back and forth and sang, Row, Row your boat. We are creating different activities for the children to work in groups or pairs. It will give the children an opportunity to share, take turns and respect their space.

Spanish

Cooking with Diane: Red and white grapes mixed with lime and lemon dressing

The children are still enjoying the game pom, pom drop. They appeared curious and interested as they insert the pom pom through the bathroom tissue roll.

The strainer and pipe cleaners are also popular in our classroom. Both activities promote color recognition, hand-eye coordination, and fine motor development.

Exploring and Making OOBLECK!!

Oobleck incorporates both science and sensory exploration; is a substance that's somewhere between a liquid and a solid. It pours like a liquid but acts like a solid when you squeeze it. Spoons were available for the children who were reluctant to interact with the material. The children looked curious and explored the properties slowly by dropping their hands into the oobleck, feeling and squeezing its texture. They touched, tapped and squeezed the oobleck using their hands and different utensils. Nathaniel smiled and appeared intrigued as he touched the oobleck with his hands. The children did not use descriptive words to describe the composition, but their nonverbal language indicated how excited, curious, and interested they were. The children moved their fingers through the mixture slowly and then tried moving their fingers fast. They noticed that they had to apply more strength and movement to scoop some oobleck in their hands. The stimulus prompted a calm and soothing disposition. The activity promoted fine motor, language, sensory, and cognitive skills.