January 4, 2019

Welcome back everyone and Happy New Year! As we embark to the New Year, we hope to continue providing an interactive, fun and learning experience for all children. Children use play to drive their own learning and when young toddlers are allowed and actively encouraged to explore and follow their own interests, they develop an understanding of their actions. It is always important to keep in mind that there are different learning methods: music, building, drawing, movements……….etc.

We sang and read a variety of books. Spanish songs are always included. For example, Buenos dias and Un pequeno dedo are among the songs.

Highlights of the week:

Before going to the gym, I asked the children to sit on the brown rug, where the block center is.  They all sat together and made a small circle and waited quietly for the teachers' cue.  We sang one of their favorite songs before entering the gym, the Wheels on the Bus!   

Art:

We explore colors and painting every day. During our painting activity, the children selected one color to paint the square canvas.  Cooper observed all the colors and pointed and articulated, brown.   They each picked their colors.  I wonder why they chose that specific hue.  Why do children like certain colors?  Is color important?  Are particular colors speaking to children? Oliver articulates other colors, but he often chooses orange and smiles as he articulates the color. Can color be associated with a person's emotions?   

Painting at the small easel has always been a fun and interactive painting activity for the children. Some of them pointed and articulated their color of choice.

Leo: “I make imagination!”

Stained Glass Painting Project:

The first step to Stained Glass Painting, painting the wax paper.

Sensory:

Model Magic is a unique lightweight material, and it is soft and easy to use. The texture was inviting and intriguing, as Charles manipulates it with his hands and fingers.    Each time young toddlers manipulate the model magic, it adjusts and responds.  As Charles pressed the model magic, he made an imprint of his fingers.  Noticing the change on the material, he articulated the words "Wow!" 

Manipulative:

Dillon carefully joins two pegs together before pressing them to the pegboard.  He positions them in an upright position and presses down to secure them.  He continues to connect two before placing them on the board.  All young children have a different and natural interest in exploring and maneuvering objects.  These manipulative are designed to develop and strengthen fine motor skills.  The activity provides other learning areas, such as color recognition, counting, and patterning. 

Gym:

Circle Time:

During circle time we sang our good morning song and rolled a ball to each child, and as we articulated their names, they pulled out a sensory scarf.  Each child selected the color of their choice.   We also played a guessing game.  We used a small box and placed something inside.  The children had to guess what's inside the box. The teacher opens the box and reveals the items, "Pom Poms" we all counted eight pom poms in Spanish and English. We want them to acquire thinking skills and self-expression as they engage in play, games, and activities.

Paint mixing sticks were painted in different colors and placed on the wall. Each morning the children will be asked, What color are you wearing today? Then their picture will be placed on the corresponded color. We implement different methods for children to learn to recognize and identify colors.

We often talk about our facial features; therefore, we created a circle and the children gradually expressed the different facial features I needed to complete the face.

Leo B: “Sandra, needs one, two ears and earrings.”

Time to measure the children’s height with unit blocks:

Leo is now 6 units!