February 1, 2019

As children explore, learn and understand how things work in their environment, they develop techniques in how to interact with materials. Every child is unique as they engage in art, manipulative, blocks, music and books. As teachers, we want children to have fun learning, investigating, discovering, and manipulating their environment. As they develop interests, we will provide an addition to extend their creativity.

When they work on a project, painting, building, or just turning the pages of a book, they are using many skills (fine and gross motor, cognitive, language, and social/emotional).

Songs we have sang throughout the week:

• Mr. sun

• Old MacDonald Had a Farm

• Jump in the Water

• Bubble Gum

• 5 little Monkeys, Ducks, and Frogs

• Mr. Muffin Man

• Twinkle Little Star

• If your happy and you know it clap your hands……(English and Spanish version)

• Watermelon

• On Little Finger (English and Spanish version)

• and many more……..

We also read a variety of books. Among their favorites are Hooray for Hats, We are going on a Lion Hunt, A Pocket for Corduroy, and Even firefighter go to the Potty!

Highlights of the Week:

Pretending to be on the bus and steering the wheel, is a fun and interactive way to learn songs and language.

The children can recognize and identify their facial features.  We sometimes like to draw someone's face and ask the children to help us along.  This week all the children participated in identified all Diane's features including her eye-glasses.  They articulated hair, nose, two ears, two eyes, mouth, teeth, tongue, and glasses. Great job!!!

Art:

Painting is a way for children to learn to recognize, identify and explore colors. With Splatter Painting, we can experiment with different color combinations. In this activity, the children used black or white construction paper, marbles, and placed them in a box. Then they squeezed the colors of their choice. The children were shaking and moving the box from side to side. As the paint splattered on the paper, the marbles simultaneously formed simple, thick or thin lines. During each movement, Leo peeked inside the box. He appeared curious and interested in how his movements changed his paintings. Different movements created different paintings. Each art piece is unique in color and style!

Painting with Pipe Cleaners!

Sensory:

 Children explore and discover new things every day through their senses:  sight, smell, taste, touch, and hearing.   As children engage with different materials, they gain knowledge of how things work.  Model Magic is a unique lightweight material.   It is a soft, smooth to use and extremely pliable modeling compound that lets you create keepable art, and create anything from simple shapes to intricate dioramas.  It can be reused or be air dried resulting in a smooth and resilient finish.  Model magic promotes fine motor skills, imagination, and creativity.    Sensory exploration is a natural way for young toddlers to understand their environments.   

The texture was inviting and intriguing, as they manipulate the material with their hands and fingers. Each time they manipulate the model magic it transforms. They touched, poked, squeezed, and selected some pipe cleaners, Popsicle sticks and colorful feathers for adorning. They appeared proud of his model magic structures!!

Blocks:

James has been discovering how different blocks feel in his hands, and about space and shapes.  He develops ideas and interests of his own as he selects the blocks he wants to use.  He investigates the unit blocks, half pillars, half units, and train tracks and aligns them. James expressed, “A train!”  Size and shape are essential features that help children to decide how they want to build their structure.  Blocks are stimulating and rewarding.  They contribute to James creativity and imagination as he explores.

Manipulative:

Children are creating and using their imagination as they built and connected. Rohan articulated, "Tower!" as he carefully combines each peg and pushes it to secure it.  Leo articulated, "A tall building!"  and Charles didn't stack them but carefully place them in a horizontal position.

The children are learning more to respect their space and share. 

Leela constructed three different structures using the Magna-tiles.  Each selection and connection she made helped her to formulate her composition.  

Specialists:

Karate

Spanish

Music

Yoga

Cheerios and Raisins

Sensory:

 Their little hands and fingers delved into the soft and warm powdery substance. The consistency of the dough appeared to be intriguing to feel and hold.  The children filled and emptied small cups; whereas others, were busy scooping. Flour is an exciting sensory experience that provides children with endless fun.      

The children finished molding and creating different structures with model magic.  They all adorned them differently using, Popsicle sticks, feathers, and pipe cleaners. The next step is, painting!  They will all be displayed in the classroom when they are all completed.