June 19, 2020

It has been an amazing journey, and I am very proud of all the children. Thank you all for your support. Have a great and safe Summer!

The joy, creativity, and imagination of children always inspire us. As I observe the children exploring and manipulating different materials, including pipe cleaners, the concept of creating self-portraits using pipe cleaners emerged. The children gradually learn about their distinct facial features as they maneuver the writing tool during self-portrait sessions. They notice each location of their eyes, nose, mouth, and hair are. As they look in the mirror, they see different changes. These changes are significant because they reflect self-identification. Using pipe cleaners to create a self-portrait provided an opportunity for self-study that accorded with their persona as an artist.

Teagan’s self-portrait!

Aria’s self-portrait!

Annabelle’s self portrait!

Literacy/Creativity/Language/Imagination

The children listened to a read-aloud, Ten Magic Butterflies, by Danica McKellar. A significant advantage of storytelling is that listening to stories enhances a child’s vocabulary and listening skills. Hearing stories helps young children form pictures in their minds and use their imagination. These skills will help children picture and understand words when they read books independently.

As an activity, the children made butterflies using materials of their choice. Each is different and unique.

Aria used different colors and a pipe cleaners to create her beautiful butterfly!

Teagan made a footprint butterfly with clay and created a butterfly using pipe cleaners!

Annabelle used construction paper, paint, and bathroom tissue rolls.

Each butterfly is significant to each child as they manipulate different kinds of materials to create art.

Counting/Sequence/One-to-One Correspondence/Recognizing and Identifying Numerals

Literacy/Creativity/Imagination/Language/Vocabulary

We all wore a silly or favorite hat, wig, or headpiece, as we listened to Hooray for Hats, a story about friendship!

Combining Art with Music

The students and teacher each had a piece of paper, crayons, or markers. They then listened to Flight of the Bumble Bee and drew based on what they heard. Their artwork demonstrated the highs/lows to illustrate the bee's flight pattern.

Virtual Class

Dancing Grapes Experiment!

June 12, 2020

Music and movement contribute to children's overall development.  Listening to and making music helps children's developing brain.   Music calms their body during naptime and during a transition time.  It creates a current that enables them to transcend their minds to a happy place.  Each experience should be fun and meaningful for them. ​I​instruments are the distinctive elements that make the music come alive.    ​The children​ listened​ and ​focused ​as they moved their hands up, down, and side to side. Each movement created distinctive lines and circles.  Each child interpreted the music differently. ​

Aria’s drawing after listening to Mozart.

Ericksen’s drawing after listening to Mozart.

Teagan’s drawing after listening to Mozart.

Cognitive/Language/Memorization

Through games and playing, children can nurture their imagination, improve their ability to listen, as well as develop important cognitive skills that will aid their future development. Memory games give space to critical thinking, and that helps children nurture their attention to detail. 

Creativity/Fine Motor Skills/Imagination

The children listened to a read aloud in Spanish, Tu Mama es una llama? (Is Your Mama a Llama? by Deborah Guarino). Then the teacher asked to draw or paint their favorite animal from the story. Teagan indicated that she liked the bat and Llama. She chose different colors to draw her picture.

Color/Fine Motor/Creativity/Language

Ziploc Painting is another form of art.  The simplicity of this activity encourages children to add different colors, and by doing this, they observe how colors merge and change when mixed.  Aria squirted droplets of different colors but managed to maintain them apart.  She appeared to squish and press with her fingers and observed the colors spread. ​

Science/Sensory/Imagination

Rain Cloud Experiment

A clear cup with water, add a layer of shaving cream, and several drops of food coloring, you can create a "rain cloud!" As the children observe, we can explain that when the clouds get too heavy, the drops fall through as rain, like in the experiment.  

This is Teagan rain cloud!  

Literacy/Cognitive/Language

Reading to and with children, and engaging them in conversations, are great ways to build their vocabulary.    Children need to be exposed to new words multiple times and in different contexts to fully understand their meaning.

The children listened to Llama Llama Loves to Read by Anna Dewdney. Some questions and an activity followed the reading.

What is the first letter of your name?  

What are the other letters?

What other words can you make that begins with the first letter of your name?

Example: Sandra-Snake

Teagan and Mommy had a great time creating many words:

Virtual Class

Wallace showed the teachers his structure with Lego Blocks. He built a car!

June 5, 2020

Literacy/Language/Fine Motor Skills/Creativity

Children acquire language primarily through listening.  Reading aloud lets children regularly hear new words in new contexts, which builds their vocabulary and helps them develop a stronger awareness of the communicative possibilities of language.  

Encouraging children to get involved in the story by describing pictures, making predictions, asking questions that require more of a response than yes or not, and follow the child's answer with another question is essential for their cognitive development.  

Annabelle created an ocean story after she painted her Octopus in black. Her words have a lot of meaning, and writing her words enables her to understand that her works are significant.

Aria appeared focused as she painted her Octopus arms.

Teagan used bright colors for her Octopus.

Fine Motor/Color/Imagination/Language/Creativity

Young toddlers learn by observing, exploring, and investigating.  Open-ended and hands-on art activities are fun and interactive.  As Aria engages with the pipe cleaner as a painting tool, it stimulates her creativity, imagination, and fine motor skills. 

Sensory/Language/Imagination

Sensory bags are also sometimes called squish bags. Sensory bags allow children to explore, discover, imagine, create, and learn while engaging many of their senses. They are great mess-free sensory play.  Teagan tapped, squeezed and pressed as she observed the shaving cream mix with the color blue.

Creativity/Imagination/Fine Motor

The children did a Home-fun project after listening to the read aloud in Spanish, La Arana Muy Ocupada (The Very Busy Spider) by Eric Carle. They all used different materials and techniques to create their unique spiders.

Number Weave: Great practice for fine motor development, counting, and number recognition

Our Virtual Class

Some of the children made Handprint Flowers for our Buckle My Shoe graduates of 2020!

May 29, 2020

Counting/Literacy/One-to-One Correspondence

Learning math by counting the number of letters in their names, help children to grasp simple math concepts gradually; for example, counting.

​Teagan is counting each letter of her names. Each name has a different set of letters. The name Teagan has 6 letters, her middle name has 7, and her last name has 6. She is learning to count, use one-to-one correspondence, recognize and identify numbers, and letters.

Geometric Shapes/Counting

Providing fun math activities using our environment​,​ enables young children to learn math in a fun way. Using masking tape or string to make a big triangle on the floor is a simple way for young children to learn about shapes. Then have the children explore and investigate their home by finding objects that are shaped like a triangle and have them place them at the center of the triangle.

Aria found different objects that are a triangle shape!

The children listened to​ the​ ​story, ​Lines that Wiggle, and created A Collage of Lines. ​ ​We see thin, thick, zig-zag, and wavy lines. We can make and see different lines in our environment, like shapes. Learning about lines helps children to understand that there are different names for lines, and they can use ​them ​to do different things. For example, connect three lines to make a triangle or four lines to make a square, or making a straight line to wash our hands at school. ​

Teagan used markers to describe her lines. She made circles and straight lines on her Collage.

Science/Fine Motor/Color/Sensory

Mixing and exploring cornstarch and dishwashing detergent seem​ed​ to ​interest the​ children​.​ ​Each child ​used a different color and technique to ​​​explore​.​

Annabelle seems to enjoy mixing the two ingredients and noticing how it changes as she stirs.

Cognitive/Fine Motor/Creativity/Imagination

The children listened ​in Spanish​, Papa, por Favor, Bajame la Luna (Papa, Please Get the Moon for Me) by Eric Carle. The children were asked to draw which part of the story they liked best and why. And Why do they think the moon got smaller as the little girl played with the moon?

Teagan described her thoughts!

Their growth is not only occurring physically but mentally.  Their cognitive and language is increasing as they grow.

Imagination/Movement/Language/Gross Motor Skills

Children​ ​demonstrate body movements ​as they listen to the story ​from head to toe​ in Spanish​.  Each page shows a child following an animal's lead in moving a body part​.  ​​​The words and the pictures invite children to move. "I am a penguin, and I turn my head.  Can you do it?" "I can do it!"​ ​  Annabelle ​appeared to enjoy acting out several of the animals from the book.  I particularly liked the donkey, El Burro!

Our Virtual Class

May 22, 2020

Creativity/Imagination/Cognitive/Language

In Teagan’s self-portrait, she drew eyes, nose, hair, and a big smile.

Art/Creativity/Fine Motor/Imagination/Language

For arts and crafts, the children made homemade guitars. They used a cereal box, strings, and a paper towel roll. Teagan said, “I have one like Janet!” Annabelle used pipe cleaners instead of strings, very creative! They both made unique guitars!

Annabelle sang a song welcoming people and asking their names. The name of the song is Salam, Salam, and she was singing in Farsi.

Literacy

Cognitive/Language/Imagination/Fine Motor

The children listened to the story Way Down Deep in the Deep Blue Sea. Then they drew their favorite ocean animal. Teagan told me a story about her drawing.

Aria made her fish out of a paper plate.

Our Virtual Class

It is such a joy to watch children learn as they listen and observe.

We were learning about shapes different shapes. I demonstrate the shape of the book, square, and created a triangle shape with Popsicle Sticks. We also listened to a shape song and made a square, triangle, and circle in the air with our fingers. It was a lot of fun!!

The children are listening to stories and nursery rhymes.

Some of the children were playing musical instruments and their homemade guitars, including Janet.

Our Virtual Class

We are learning and exploring different things as we move forward.

Big or Little

Listening and observing the objects.

Which one is big? The white or brown owl

Magic Milk Science Experiment

The ingredients for this experiment are whole milk, food coloring, dishwashing detergent, and Q-tips. The object is to dip the Q-tip into the dishwashing detergent and then lightly touch the colors and watch the colors spread. It happened only briefly.

The experiment did not go exactly how I anticipated; however, I will try next again! It is essential not to give but try, try again!

Land or Water

As the children learn to identify, recognize and articulate different animals, they are also learning where they live. On land or in the water (ocean).

Today the children observed a science experiment using a water bottle, vinegar, baking soda, and a balloon experiment. The two chemicals work together to create a gas. Gasses need a lot of room to spread out.  The gas started to fill the bottle, and it then moved into the balloon to inflate it.   The children looked amazed as they saw the balloon getting bigger.

May 15, 2020

Literacy

Language/Cognitive/Imagination

Literacy is the ability to read, view, write, design, speak, and listen in a way that allows ​the child​ to communicate effectively. The power of literacy lies not just in the ability to read and write, but rather in a person’s capacity to apply these skills to effectively connect,  interpret and discern the intricacies of the world in which they live.

After listening to the story, Danny and the Dinosaur in Spanish, the children drew their dinosaur. What would you do if you saw a real dinosaur in the museum? Continuing asking open-ended questions enables each child to think and formulate ideas. Below are Teagan’s dinosaur and her words.

Color/Creativity/Language

Coffee Filter Flower Craft

Annabelle used the red color to paint her coffee filter. She seemed focused as she moved the paintbrush in different directions. She shared this activity with her mom, Carly. The unique and beautiful art piece would look lovely framed and hanged on the wall.

Literacy/Language/Cognitive/Art/Fine Motor Skills

After listening to the story, the children made a pair of binoculars out Bathroom Tissue Rolls. They will be able to use them when they hear, move, and sing along the Lion Hunt Song. They each made unique binoculars!

Matching/Geometric Shapes

Our environment has many tools that can assist our learning in shapes. Shapes are in our apartment, house, and outdoors. Exposing children and having them engage in hands-on activities allows them to gain knowledge in simple math concepts.

Masking tape was used to make a big square on the floor. Then the children had to explore and find square shape objects. They found different sizes, a Lego block, a pillow, and a book.

Teagan seemed to be connecting two triangles shapes to make a square.

Annabelle found different ​square sizes. ​ Great observation as she explored and investigated her environment.

Drawing different shapes, for example, circles, triangles, and squares on post-it notes and then drawing the same amount on the white paper ​ allows your child to learn and focus on the different shapes. It is a fun game that also promotes eye-hand coordination and memory.

Sensory/Color/Imagination/Language

From birth, children are exploring their senses and processing new information. They begin to make sense of the world around them as they grow through the exploration of new texture​s and​materials​.​Sensory play is a valuable way of engaging children in activities that will heighten their senses and enrich their learning.

Our Virtual Classroom

Homemade Volcano

Nursery Rhymes-Humpty Dumpty

Math and Memory game- What shape is Missing?

Teagan: “Circle!”

Listening to Stories!

Happy Parents Day!

As they engaged, they incorporated different techniques to produce a beautiful work of art. Each art piece is unique!

May 8, 2020

​How do we inspire our toddlers?  We make learning fun, respect them as young learners and explorers, and convey our passion for the subjects we teach.   Each child is a unique learner and has a different learning pace. It is essential to provide them time and opportunity to absorb information-how they process information helps us as teachers how to navigate our curriculum.  We both enjoy teaching and watching them grow and develop in all aspects: physical, language, social/emotional, and cognitive. 

Aria’s spider!

Janet’s spider inspired it!

Language/Cognitive/Literacy/Fine Motor Skills

The children listened to a story about a cloud, Little Cloud by Eric Carle.  I asked the children to draw their clouds and to answer the below questions:

How would your cloud look?

What can it do?

Where is it going?

Asking questions as they draw helps them to begin using their imagination, creativity, and language.  Writing their words enables them to understand that their words are essential, and each letter and word mean something.

Color/Creativity/Geometric Shape

Each child displays their techniques. Using materials that once had another purpose can be recycled to create art.

The children squirt some paint at the center of the paper and some droplets on each side. Then they folded and pressed the paper. They observed their painting as they unfolded, and formulated an idea of what it is or what it looks like to them. Creating art expands a child's ability to interact with the world around them and provides a new set of skills for self-expression and communication.

In the video, as Annabelle unfolded and observed her painting, she said, “Big Turtle!”

Teagan’s colors were at the center of her paper, and as she folded and unfolded the paper, she created a butterfly.

Science/creativity/cognitive

Drawing with light and shadow is such an easy and yet fun activity for young kids. It helps them recognize and understand several important concepts in physics.  By observing the different (funny) shapes created by sunlight at a different time of the day, children may even become more creative!

When an object is placed in the light's path, the part of the light that reaches the object will be blocked while the rest of the light keeps going. The blocked part becomes a shadow on another object (in this case, the paper).

Some great questions to ask the children: Does the shadow stay the same? Are the shadows the same size or smaller than the toys? -When you rotate the toys, what happens to the shadows?

Teagan appeared intrigued as she pointed a flashlight to see the shadows of her toys, and with her parents' help, she was able to see the shadows with more clarity. She seemed curious about the hippopotamus shadow. She observed and focused on its outline and appeared to have traced the outline.

Our Virtual Class

We are providing a variety of ​fun ​learning activities!

We are always happy to see and speak to Ophelia and her parents and see her sister Juliette. Ophelia builds and rebuilds different structures of Magna-tiles, one of her favorites things to do.

Magna- tiles are versatile learning manipulatives that are developmental and strengthen motor skills, including pincer grip, which is so crucial to fine motor development control. These magnetic building tiles are innovative, colorful, learn basic shapes and patterns. They foster critical developmental skills, imaginative play, and creativity. Magna-tiles vary in shapes to build and rebuild different structures. The unique pieces engage Ophelia in in-depth investigations.

Thank you all for your kind words! We are so happy and honored to be their teachers. Thank you!!!

Wallace brought us a beautiful flower and showed us his sign.

Aria’s Sign!

May 1, 2020

One of our favorite toddler art activities is painting on foil paper. Using a paintbrush is fun, but for an additional fine motor challenge, they can also use cotton swabs, Popsicle sticks, and their hands. The aluminum foil makes the painting shimmer, and the interesting metallic surface creates a shiny and slippery appearance. 

Fine Motor Skills and Gross Motor/Color/Cognitive/concentration

The objective of this game is to drop the ball through the opening. Critical thinking is the key to making the ball or marble drop. Teagan appeared focused as she maneuvered the box side to side. She is discovering a technique that would help her make the ball drop. As children engage with different materials, they form ideas and techniques in how things work. Following their pace is essential to their development and their way of understanding things.

The children are learning about colors using recycled bathroom tissue rolls. Teagan used colored pom-poms, and Annabelle seemed to be using delicious colored jelly beans.

Color/Creativity/Imagination

Suncatchers cease to amaze children as they swirl the colors and see them change. As children swirl their colors or not, they can create abstract or specific designs. ​

Shape/Counting/Color/Fine Motor Skills/Eye-hand COORDINATION/COGNITIVE

Our environment is a learning tool; for example, shapes are everywhere. We see a variety of geometric shapes outside (street signs) and inside our homes. Annabelle and Teagan had a big circle shape ​made with masking tape.​ Then they had to investigate and look for different things that had a ​round circle ​shape. Incorporating ​natural​ materials to learn math enables us to implement ​fun and ​​hands-on activities. It also helps children to become more aware of their environment as they learn math.

​Using pipe cleaners to form different shapes or patterns allow children to use their imagination as they maneuver the pipe cleaners. They naturally focus on the sides of the shapes by connecting each colorful pipe cleaner.

Teagan used her Lego cars to create the line pattern!

Concentration/Cognitive/Language/Listening Skills

The children listened to a read aloud, The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds. The art class is over, but Vashti, the little in the story, has a blank sheet of paper. Her teacher smiled. "Just make a mark and see where it takes you." The words of her teacher are a gentle invitation to express herself. But Vashti can't draw - she's no artist. To prove her point, Vashti jabs at a blank sheet of paper to make an unremarkable and angry mark. "There!" she says.  That one little dot marks the beginning of Vashti's journey of surprise and self-discovery. I believe that there is an artist in every child. Aria's drawing is one of many art pieces that describe the artist in her.

Our Virtual Class and activities!

We played a color game.  I articulated the different fruits, and they had to observe and guess what color they all were.

Using felt material and different shapes, we created a face as the children pointed to their facial features. We counted how​ many​ eyes, nose, and ears they have. We did this activity twice during the week, but the second time we added eyebrows​ to the face. ​ 

 We were learning about colors using pom-poms. We listened to the Spanish song, Cual es to color favorite? We articulated the colors in Spanish and English, and then we counted how many pom-poms we had. 

Using our instruments as we sing. Janet created her homemade guitar using recycled materials. 

Singing and counting Five Little Monkeys using a felt material glove.

Counting how many spoons we have and then showing the number (six).

Learning about shapes as we explore our home environment!

Ophelia’s structure!

Ophelia: “A big house!”

April 24, 2020

Beginning Monday, April 20th - Friday, April 24th, we are celebrating the week of the Young Child.  We are embracing early learning, young children, teachers, and families. This annual event was created by the NAEYC to celebrate and bring awareness to the importance of early childhood education. Engaging and celebrating families is at the heart of supporting our youngest learners.   Throughout the week of the young child, each day, we are engaging, participating, exploring, discovering, and celebrating something different.

Making Shakers and bracelets out of Paper Towel or Bathroom Tissue Rolls

Creativity/Color/IMAGINATION/Fine Motor SKILLS

​Using recycled materials enables children to make exciting and creative art.  Recycling is good for the environment, and it takes everyday objects and transforms them into valuable artwork. Exploring and experimenting with reused materials allow children to gradually understand that they can create something out of materials that once had another purpose.

Annabelle adorned her paper towel and added corks inside to create a sound. Then masking tape was taped on both ends of the paper towel.

Wallace used watercolors to paint his bracelets.

Teagan used crayons to decorate her bracelet and added some star stickers.

Colors/Creativity/Fine Motor Skills/Imagination

Each child used different materials to create the earth and some added some gold and white colors. Both art pieces represent the earth and the child as they explore the elements differently. Beautiful art work!

Annabelle used a coffee filter to create her earth.

Sensory/Science

Color/Imagination/Fine Motor Skills/Language/Cognitive

Annabelle squeezed as she observed the oil and watercolor in the bag.

In the video:

Annabelle:” Where is the oil? Where is the oil?” As she tapped and pressed the bag.

​Teagan tapped and pressed as she observed the color dots in the bag. Teagan talking to her mother, said, "Why they jumping away from me​?" (referring to the color dots)

Teagan also did a sensory bag with paint.

Math

Counting/Sorting

Our Virtual Class!

The children explore, learn and observe as they listen to the first letter of our names, count, sing, dance, listen to a song with puppets, listen to stories, learn about colors in different ways and shapes. Ophelia showed the different structures she has done with Magna-tiles. It is always lovely to see everyone!

Silly Parent Picture Day!

Acting in a silly manner is the best medicine for feeling happy!

Ophelia: “Silly Swimming Family.”

Ericksen’s Silly Family Picture!

Teagan’s Silly Family Picture!

Annabelle’s Silly Family Picture!

April 17, 2020

We implement different activities or reinforce an activity that has been introduced, to provide young children with a safe and stimulating environment. Trying lots of various learning tools, allows children to grow and develop in different areas.

Sensory scarfs-learning about colors and language (articulating them in English and Spanish),  or asking them to find a shape-teaches them about Math. I asked the children to find a square shape. Wallace appeared excited as he discovered and shared his book, which was a square shape, and Teagan immediately found a square box.

Finger puppets are very popular with our toddlers!

Alexandra was showing her teachers, the unicorns on her blouse. As we said, good-bye Alexandra, she said, “See you soon!”

Art/Color/LANGUAGE/Creativity

Paper Towel Art is an excellent and simple way to add color and texture to a painting. Teagan crumbled the paper and gently dabbed different colors. After allowing it to dry, she created a beautiful art piece.

“Teagan Matzah.”

Teagan and Annabelle create their unique Matzah art piece.

Literacy

Language/Color/Creativity/Eye-hand coordination

Letter Scavenger Hunt- The children did a letter scavenger hunt with the letters A, B, C, D, and E. Now, they need to find what begins with the letters F, G, H, I, and J in their home.

John had a name tag-J for John, and Teagan also had a name tag, I. She said in the video that her name is Igan. I hope I have the correct spelling for her new name!

After listening to Little Blue and Little Yellow Read aloud, there was an activity in which the children had to mix two colors, blue and yellow. Teagan explored that activity using a Ziploc Bag. She appeared to tap, squeeze and spread the paint. Now there seemed to be three colors, blue, yellow, and green.

The children also listened to a read aloud in Spanish, El Pez Arco Aris (The Rainbow Fish). Aria used a paper plate and colored it in blue, representing the ocean, and her handprint was the fish!

Science/Sensory/Color/LANGUAGE/Imagination/Creativity

Making Paint with a few home ingredients can be exciting and interesting. All you need is water, flour, salt, and food coloring. How amazing is that? It seems that Teagan had a lot of fun making and exploring the Paint. I like how she experimented with different colors and explored her mixture of colors on her body and the bathtub.

Sensory/Science

Exploring, Baking Soda Art and observing the reaction of baking and vinegar.

Happy Birthday to Wallace!!

April 10, 2020

Fine Motor/Concentration/Color/Creativity

Annabelle appeared focus as she inserted each pipe cleaner into each hole of the colander. This Colander Pipe Cleaner Fine Motor Skills Activity for young children is an excellent fine motor activity that helps them to practice eye-hand coordination. It also teaches them to be patient, and it does take a bit of planning and consistent thought process for them to succeed. It teaches them how to guide and use their hands and fingers so that they can grasp the pipe cleaners effectively and efficiently. While this might not sound overly difficult for us, it can be quite challenging for small toddler hands! 

In the video, as Annabelle moved her arms back and forth, she was able to flatten the pipe cleaner with the roller. Then she inserted it into the colander hole. She seemed to have found an easier way to enter the pipe cleaner into the colander holes.

Imagination/Fine Motor Skills/Creativity/Color

After listening to the story, The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle, they created their unique caterpillars!   Aria and Teagan used an egg carton to create their caterpillars, and Annabelle used recycled paper rolls.

Aria

Annabelle

Self-Portrait

Self-portraits are drawn once a month.  We sit one-on-one with a mirror, paper, and a sharpie marker. The mirrors encourage children to look closely at the shapes of their facial features. They observe and explore their images.  As they look at their features: eyes, nose, mouth, and hair, they notice that each location and shape is different.​ ​Also, self-portraits are not only about who they see in the mirror but also about their surroundings.  They may include mom, dad, siblings, and pets.   Children's self-awareness and self-identification are displayed as they progress in their self-portraits. Children utilize a tool to draw the self-portrait.  The continuous movement helps and builds fine motor skills and bilateral coordination skills, as well.  The tool promotes the use of the pincer grasp and naturally strengthens the small hand muscles. 

Ericksen

Our Virtual Classroom

During the week, we looked and articulated the colors of a rainbow using felt material, the first letter of our names, and peers. The teacher read Good Morning, Buenos Dias by Meritxell Marti, and Xavier Salomo. The teacher also used her Popsicle Puppets to sing, Five Little Monkeys, Five Little Speckled Frogs, and movement songs.

Creating and learning the colors of a Rainbow

Planting

Growing seeds or beans provide children with knowledge and understanding of the world and science​. Discussing ​ what ​ a ​plant needs ​to grow​ and comparing and talk about how it ​can relate to their growth enables them to understand their growth- grow from a baby to a toddler to a child, look at family photos with your child.
-Math: measure the growth of the bean, and create a growth chart to track progress. Write the date it was planted and take pictures of its growth.   

Now all they have to do is wait and see what happens.

Afternoon Conference

Cognitive/Language/Concentration

Janet draws different images to create a story or song. The children appeared interested and focused as they listened—some of Janet's drawings reflect on a nursery rhyme. Twinkle twinkle little star, Humpty Dumpty, and Blue Bird on my window are some examples.

April 3, 2020

Implementing various activities helps young children to grow and develop in different areas of their development.

We sang Old MacDonald Had a Farm and showed the farm animals. Sometimes if we do not sing the song, the teacher shows different farm animals, and we articulate them in English and Spanish.

We sing the color song-using sensory scarfs.

Singing Five Little Speckled Frogs!

Aria joined Ms. Janet sing, Blow up a Balloon Song.

Singing can support children’s learning and emotional development​.​ Songs encourage a child to express their emotions and sharpens their ability to communicate​. ​But one of the most significant benefits of singing is the repeated use of the ‘memory muscle​s. ​Exposure to music enhances a child’s natural ability to decode sounds and words. By singing ​nursery rhymes, for example, children can learn to identify sound patterns, sequences, and learn through repetition. By mastering these skills, children build the base of literacy and numeracy.​ Just as music can soothe a child, it can also lift their spirit.​

The children found different color objects that represent the colors of a rainbow.

Teagan

Aria

The teacher asked the children if they can find something small and big. Everyone did a terrific job of finding something! On another day, we explored the concept tall and short, and Wallace found something tall, his guitar.

Wallace showed us a big circle. Earlier, he demonstrated to us a smaller circle.

Teagan was looking at a book and pointed to the big bird.

Annabelle showed us a big bucket!

Fine Motor/Creativity/Color

Painting with Q-tips creates different texture prints that are different than a paintbrush, but it equally makes a beautiful art piece.  It also helps the artist to develop fine motor strength and practice his/her pincer grip. 

Teagan used Q-tips and four different colors to paint her art piece.

Science/Color

Exploring Colors with Baking Soda and Vinegar

In this science activity, not only will children get to create a chemical reaction, but they’ll also be able to explore color mixing and create some colorful “artwork”!  Teagan placed a few drops of vinegar and observed it.  She seemed curious and excited as she saw the chemical reaction.

Math (Shapes)

Teaching children about shapes is a great way to give them some vocabulary for describing the world around them. This opens up new and exciting avenues for verbal communication.  As children learn to identify shapes, they can sort and classify objects around them based on the attribute.

Our environment is full of different shapes. Therefore, I asked the children to look for three circles, four squares, three triangles, and two diamond shape items. Aria did a great job finding these items in her home:

In the afternoon meeting, Janet used the erasable board to tell a story. The children enjoy listening and singing nursery rhymes. Therefore, she drew, Hickory Dickory Dock, Itsy Bitsy Spider, Humpty Dumpty, and Row Row Your Boat. They appeared curious and interested as they observed.

March 27, 2020

It is lovely to see the children as they gradually adjust and adapt to this new way of learning. Children are still curious and puzzled as they see and hear their teachers and peers through a computer monitor.

On Literacy Week, we recognize and acknowledge the importance of reading to children and celebrating all authors. Reading aloud to toddlers expands their listening skills, continue to associate reading with a warm, pleasant feeling while learning letters, words, and language, and make links between pictures and stories in books. One of the activities the children had was to find something in their home that starts with the letter A, B, C, D, and E. In Annabelle's video; she showed us the different items she found in her home. Children learn to articulate the sounds of the letters and enunciate the words as they engage. They also learn to associate the letter with the picture.

The teacher used felt material to teach different colors.  The children are learning to recognize, identify, and articulate each color in English and Spanish.  Sometimes the teacher asks, Can you find something blue?  Incorporating movement enhances their curiosity, imagination, and exploration of colors. 

Singing, Five Little Speckled Frogs.

Fine Motor

In the Masking Tape Activity, incorporating different arrangements with the masking tape, enable children to maneuver their hands and fingers differently. It helps with the development of the small muscles in their fingers. This activity also promotes eye-hand coordination and focus. 

A video of Teagan exploring Masking Tape!

Fine Motor/Color/Counting

Art/Creativity/Color

They were making butterflies out of the coffee filter. As they used watercolor or food coloring, they observed how the color spread and changed when mixed.

Annabelle made butterflies out of coffee filters.

Creating Letters using Straws

Introducing Colors in Spanish

Azul-Blue

Rojo-Red

Negro-Black

Rosado-Pink

Anaranjado-Orange

Morado-Purple

Gris-Gray

Cafe-Brown

Rachel: We did rainbow sink or float game.

Teacher: I love the idea of incorporating all the colors into a rainbow and reintroducing sink and float.

​Ericksen gathered different items that correlated with the colors introduced in Spanish.

Sensory/Science

Cloud Dough has an immediate ‘WOW’ effect on the child the moment it’s touched. The moldable consistency and silky smooth texture between hands feel instantly soothing and pleasing to the senses. It is easy to sculpt without any stickiness. It can be sent back to its powdery form within seconds and then remolded.

Teagan seemed to enjoy scooping and filling her cups!

The video shows Ericksen exploring "Oobleck!"

In addition to learning about science concepts, Oobleck is also great for the development of fine motor skills as children work and strengthen their little hand muscles while engaged in sensory play.

Mommy: "What are you playing with?"

Ericksen: "Cornstarch!"

March 20, 2020

Monday, March 16, 2020- Friday, March 20, 2020

Our first week of our virtual classroom and using Google Classroom

We are doing things differently during these upcoming weeks and continuing our fun activities through our virtual classroom. We want to maintain as much normalcy as possible for our students.  As educators, we want to provide a continuation of learning and work and share as a class community. We understand that this will be an adjustment for everyone, and adapting to new things takes time and patients for our little ones. 

How parents explain to their children why we are not attending school is significant and essential to us as educators. Below are words in which parents expressed to approach this situation.

• We are just going to encourage her to enjoy this new fun way of learning on a computer. 

• I told Teagan that we are going to turn our home into school for a while and that I get to be one of her teachers now. I explained that school is not going to be open for a little while, but we will still get to see Sandra and Janet on the computer. We will be able to join the hangout but not for the whole time because mine is supposed to start at 9:30. 

• We traveled to Connecticut to stay with family, so we have just told Wally that we are on vacation. Hopefully being in a new place will help The adjustment to a new routine.

Thank you all for you support!

Each day there is a different activity for the children to explore and investigate. Pictures and videos are excellent documentation for the teachers to see. If they did not have an opportunity to do the activity this week, they still can. Please add pictures or videos!

Color/Math

Find one object in your home that is shaped like a triangle, rectangle, oval, and star.

Each item Annabelle and Teagan found has a shape. Our homes are full of rectangle, triangle, oval, and star shapes. We have to look closely at each piece!

Science/Sensory

Teagan seemed to enjoy the texture as she engages and covers her body with oobleck! Mom indicated it was her favorite activity this week!

In the video, the teacher was able to see Teagan's movements as she investigated with her hands and fingers!

Science

Sink and Float

Annabelle filled her bathtub with different items to explore what sinks and floats!

March 13, 2020

Art

Painting can be an excellent podium for children to progress and discover their creativity. They learn about various color mixtures and how they go together. Painting on the table and at the easel promotes a different perspective on art.  It allows the child to explore how their painting looks and develop their decision-making skills.  They need to plan as they choose which color to use for different parts of the picture. Through the use of different colors, they can express themselves without the use of words. Painting foster hand-eye coordination; while they learn to paint the parts that they see, they are making sure their hand movement is at par with their vision. Ericksen and Wallace seem to enjoy the way their art looks as they smear the paint, and they hear the sound their brush makes as it crosses the paper.  As they manipulate the paintbrush, their fine and gross motor skill improves. 

We are using the first letter of each child's name to create a book of letters. The book will be on the shelf when completed—this a fun way for young children to learn and absorb information naturally.

Two letters are already completed, T and E.

Color/Sensory

During circle time, we used our sensory scarfs to talk about colors. Each child selected the color of their choice, and they explored them in different ways. We incorporated them into our singing, waving them up, down, and side to side. Ericksen: "Look, Sandra, I see purple!" We verbalized the color in English and Spanish. Classroom 1A joined us, and it appeared that our young friend sitting with his mother was interested in everything the teacher was articulating.   

To continue our color exploration, the teacher asked the children, What color are you wearing today?  They each selected one color from their clothing, recognized, and identified the color on the wall.  They used their wood people shape with their picture on it to place the color they chose.  

Color/Fine Motor Skills/Creativity

Coffee filters are the perfect medium for a variety of art projects. On Thursday, the children used eye droppers to drip the watercolor onto the coffee filter; the absorbent paper soaked and blended the colors. They each started with one color but finished with multi-colors.    Each created a beautiful art piece. The teacher placed the coffee filter in a wooden embroidery hoop. All the children will have the opportunity to explore this project. 

Annabelle’s

Teagan’s

Ericksen’s

Soccer

Soccer benefits children's overall development.   Playing soccer is an excellent exercise that improves cardiovascular health, increases coordination, improves strength, and enhances flexibility.  It will also boost self-confidence and self-esteem. 

Exploring different Manipulative Toys

Imagination/Creativity/Fine Motor Skills/Language

Kieran appeared focused as he selected and pressed each block, one on top of another. He is experimenting and exploring!  Even though Kieran did not articulate his words, his ideas transpired through his interaction with the materials. 

Annabelle and Aria were interacting with the animal props in a separate area of the room.  We have been discussing in class about straight and zig-zag lines.  Annabelle tells the teacher: "Sandra, I made a line with the animals.  Aria also arranged the animals in a line.  They each used a different style in arranging the animals in a line.  Fantastic!!

Wallace was busy connecting and disconnecting the blocks to make them fit. As he maneuvers the blocks, he is using his thinking skills to build.

Color/Language/Cognitive

We have other sticky blocks in the classroom but these are new magnetic stick and stack blocks. The children manipulate and maneuver them to create a design.

Teagan made three structures and called them, “Teagan’s houses!”

Ophelia is connecting the rectangle shapes as sings!

Celebrating Purim

Teagan’s mom, Rachel, read a story about Purim celebration, and also brought in a grogger. Everyone had a turn as they spin the instrument. Parents are always welcome to share a holiday or an event that is celebrated by their culture.

Holi

We also celebrated Holi, is the most vibrant of all Hindu festivals.  It marks the end of winter and welcomes the spring season.  People throw colored powder at each other and dance to beautiful music. 

March 6, 2020

Collaborative Work

A Collage using Natural Materials

As young toddlers, they build their physical skills, learn concepts, apply thinking skills, and assert their independence.  We promote socialization by creating activities that enable children to work collaboratively.  

Painting On Mirrors

Gross Motor Skills/Fine Motor Skills/ Sensory exploration/Creativity/Language/Art Techniques/ Self-expression/Spatial Reasoning 

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 will enable children to explore the world around them and see how things work.    

Mirror Painting at the easel promotes the children to see their reflections and see the different strokes they have painted.  They sat and stood up to paint from a new perspective.  The children learn what happens when they move their hands and arms sitting or standing. Painting alongside each other allows children to understand and respect their space and observe each other's art. 

Cooking with Diane

Smoothie-Strawberry and Coconut Water

The children helped Diane put slices of strawberries and pour coconut water into the Blender.  During this cooking session with Diane, they were exposed to color/how a household appliance works and the sound it makes/science (combining strawberries and coconut water)/Taste.

Sensory Bags

• The children can practice hand and finger movements for pre-writing development on the squishy bag

• explore the bag for a sensory experience: watch what happens as they pat, press, and touch.  

• Cause and effect, one action creates another reaction (moving or pushing the buttons with their hands or fingers.)

  Ericksen enjoyed exploring the sensory bags and appeared excited as he pushed different color buttons in different directions.

  Annabelle: "It feels cool!  Look, orange buttons!"

Shapes

We have been learning about different shapes, and how they are in our environment and the different materials, we interact with everyday.

What shape is this book?

Aria, Annabelle, Alexandra, and Teagan: "It a square!"

Teagan yelled: “That a rectangle, Sandra!”

Ericksen and Ophelia: “Circle!”

Alexandra: “It’s round!”

Some of the children articulated two different shapes, square and rectangle. The teacher explained that it was a rectangle shape, but expressed that they made a good observation.

Teagan: “Look, a rectangle shape!”

She was pointing to the center of the window.

Hollow/Unit Blocks

Blocks are very popular in the classroom.  The children are expanding their imagination and creativity each time they maneuver and manipulate a block.  Annabelle and Teagan did not articulate their structures but focused as they explored.

Color/Fine Motor skills/Gross Motor skills/Pattern

Creating new ways to paint helps children to explore, develop patterns, and mix colors.  

February 28, 2020

Sensory/Science/Language/Cognitive/Imagination/Fine Motor Skills

Play dough is a hands-on activity that provides enjoyable and satisfying experiences. Playing with and pounding on play dough can offer young children a healthy and safe outlet for releasing extra energy. They squish, poke, pat, pull and flatten their dough. Play dough is also a scientific concept that involves the mixture of different components (flour, water, salt, and watercolor (optional) that produce the play dough to change its form. It stimulates the children's senses while offering an opportunity to use their imagination to explore.

Some of the children helped the teacher make play dough by pouring and mixing the flour. Each child has a different way to explore with play dough. They manipulate the play dough in a way that distinguishes them from one another. They pressed, squished, pounded, patted, and poked the play dough.

Aria used her hands, fist and the side of her face to press the playdough.

Kieran squished the play dough with his fingers.

Wallace touched and pressed the playdough lightly.

Annabelle: "This is make-up from the makeup store.!"

Teacher: "Who goes to the make-up store?"

Annabelle: "Mommy! She puts orange makeup on me!"

Blocks

Children are developing an interest in building with blocks.   As they build, they incorporate their ideas and thoughts on their design.  Each block represents an integral part of their house, tower, or structure.    A structure that is not named can be simply a construction of an idea they are exploring and investigating in. 

Teagan: “Pio Pio’s house!”

These versatile blocks are manipulated and maneuvered to create a structure. They promote color recognition, imagination, creativity, and cognitive and fine motor skills,

Annabelle noticed that by connecting the half-circle shapes, she is making another shape circle. Annabelle articulated that she made circles and a rainbow (referring to the small orange pieces.)

Wallace from 1A engaged with these versatile blocks and observed each piece as he joined them, creating a circle.

Neighborhood Stroll

Neighborhood walks enable children to understand changes in our environment, such as the weather, trees, and wearing the appropriate clothes to go for our neighborhood strolls. The children saw traffic lights, trees, people, cars, and dogs are some examples of what they saw. Toddlers learn from watching the world, especially if we talk with them about it.  We observed and talked about different signs, letters, and how different shapes are in our environment: squares, rectangles, and hexagons. Our environment has an abundance of information that is both educational and essential.

Annabelle: “Look a square!” (referring to the All Traffic sign)

Annabelle: “Look, Sandra, another square, and the hand!”

Color/Fine Motor/eye-hand coordination

Each time the students approach this activity they are exercising their hands and small muscles in their fingers. Also it helps them develop the pincer grip.

Clay

Clay fosters imagination, exploration, and creativity.

Each child approached the clay with a different disposition. They manipulate the clay in a way that distinguishes them from one another. Some touched it and explored it with their hands or used tools to further their exploration. An encouraging self-initiated play is essential when young toddlers are observing, exploring, and discovering materials. Many of the children used Popsicle Sticks to poke or mold the clay! Engaging with clay is promoting their young minds to think and create.

Dalia took a lump a clay, patted, and placed popsicle sticks. As she held her sculpture, she sang Happy Birthday!

Teagan also made a birthday cake and blew her candles as she sang Happy Birthday to Teagan.

White Clay

 Sensory Exploration/Fine Motor Skills/Creativity

The teacher did not provide tools or props to explore the clay. She wanted them to use their hands exclusively. Investigating the clay from a different perspective, adding some water to provide a different texture and exploration, enable the children to use their hands and fingers to sculpt and change its form as they squeeze, pat, and poke.

Teacher: “How does the clay feel?”

Ophelia: “It feels cold, wet, soft, sticky! I’m making a pancake!”

February 21, 2020

Color/shape/fine motor and cognitive skills

The teacher put a large piece of contact paper at the easel and provided different shapes (foam and felt material).  Teagan seemed to enjoy sticking them as she and the teacher articulated the names together.  As she selected them, she categorized some shapes, oval, rectangle, stars, and diamonds.

Annabelle found two shape teardrops. Annabelle: “Look, Sandra teardrops!”

Annabelle, Ophelia, and Teagan created a Collage of Shapes!

Creativity/Fine Motor Skills/Imagination/Dexterity/Shape/Color/texture

Ericksen creates a train with the bristle blocks. Each block stimulates Ericksen’s imagination as he mesh together and pull apart the pieces to reconstruct. He structure is a train and he changes his design only to extend his train longer.

Teacher: “What are you building?”

Ericksen: “A train!!”

Teacher: “Who is in the train?”

Ericksen: “Mommy and daddy and me!”

Teacher: “Where are you going?”

He did not reply, but he demonstrated a lot of creativity as he builds and rebuilds his structure!

Block playing contains the seeds of exploration, imagination, and creation.    The properties of a block, size, weight, shape, and stability level are fundamental to their building and discovery. 

Teagan appeared focused on her alignment and carefully placed each block close together.

Teagan: “I’m building Santa’s house!”

Annabelle: “I making lines!”

As she was building, Annabelle changed her structure from lines to stairs.

Counting/Shape/Letters/Numbers

We are counting how many letters are in our names using unit blocks, and then we are incorporating tall and short concepts.  We counted the letters of two different names; for example, Ericksen and Aria.   The teacher stacked the square blocks for each name and counted how many letters each name had.  Then we asked the children which one is tall. 

This is a fun way to incorporate different math skills.  We will continue exploring and comparing it with all the children's names.  Next week, the name cards will look different.  Each card will have numbers at the bottom of their letters.   

E R I C K S E N

1  2 3 4 5  6 7  8

We also discussed the colors we are wearing, and the children pointed to that color on the wall.

Color/Sensory/Imagination/Fine Motor Skills

Shaving cream is an amazing, messy, sensory experience that uses the sense of touch, sight, smell, and sound. It is a textural wonderland that changes and reforms in your hands. Adding color enables swirls and patterns to form and burying their hand and fingers. Some used paintbrushes, Popsicle sticks, or their hands. Shaving cream encourages children to manipulate and mold, building their fine motor skills and coordination

Painting with Pipe Cleaners!

The children explored with this innovative paintbrush in which they created distinctive brushstrokes. As Dalia maneuvered the painting tool, she is discovering a new way to grip a tool and paint.

Exploring the Projector

A projector is a tool that helps children see color, shape, and light differently.  As they observed and explored with different items, they looked curious as they saw the various forms and images on the wall.  Some children maneuvered the Magna-tiles, creating different designs.  They focus on the projector table, not realizing that they can see the objects on the wall.  We used some sensory bottles, but we were not always able to see through them due to the dark coloring.  We were able to see a transparent bottle, containing some water and color!  The children looked curious as they noticed how it looked on the wall.     

We will continue exploring the projector next week!

February 14, 2020

Color/Language/Creativity

The novelty of painting with various objects allows children to explore and experiment.  It is always fun and exciting to think outside the box when you are creating art.   Transforming items that can be turned into painting tools allow children to explore and discover new ways to paint. The rubber band art tool, inspire children to create big and small movements and make interesting marks on their paper. The tool enables children to develop different techniques and patterns as they maneuver the unique painting tool.

The children appeared to enjoy the new art project, Rubber Band Snap Painting. They are exploring new ways to create art!

We will continue this art project next week!

    Sensory/Science/Color/Language

Oobleck incorporates both science and sensory exploration. Oobleck can behave like a solid or a liquid depending on how much you compress the oobleck.  Try to grab some in your hand and form a solid ball in your palm until you release the pressure.  Then, it will flow out between your fingers.

The children looked intrigued as they helped to pour water into the sensory table.  As watercolor was added to give it a vivid appearance and mixed,  the children slowly dropped their hands into the oobleck, feeling and squeezing its texture. Then, it will flow out between your fingers. Cups, spoons, and some toys were added to extend children's investigation.  As they observed and focused on the teddy bears, we asked the children what is happening to the teddy bears. Reflecting on our science project, sink or float! 

Ophelia: "They sunk!"

They also 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.  The stimulus prompted a calm and soothing disposition as they explored with their hands and feet.

Blocks

Bristle Blocks stimulates children’s imagination and creativity by connecting and building.   Children can mesh together and pull apart the pieces. They develop fine motor skills and dexterity.  These blocks promote color and shape recognition and explore the unlimited possibilities of design through construction.

Conversation:

Teacher: “What are you building?”

Ericksen: “Airplane! Its flying!”

Teacher: “Where is your airplane going?”

Ericksen: “To Maria! We flying! We flying! (As he moves his hands up in the air)

Oh no, it going down! (As he continues his movements with his hands, he positions his hands downward)

Teacher: “Who is driving the airplane?”

Ericksen: “Daddy!”

Ophelia: “A boat!”

While playing with blocks, children have to learn how to move and manipulate various shaped objects, big and small.   Building with blocks enhances their visual-spatial skills, which are crucial for reading readiness. As children build, they have to understand spatial organization to create a structure that does not topple over.    Children need to work slowly and carefully to be successful at creating their designs. This helps build their ability to focus and maintain attention for more extended periods. It also teaches the important skill of patience.  Using imagination boosts cognitive, language, and social growth. As they create structures, they also create stories which lead to higher verbal skills, including their ability to tell stories.  

Teacher: "What are you building?"

Teagan: "Grandpa Larry house!"

Annabelle: "I'm going in the elevator."

Teacher: "When you go inside grandpa Larry's house, what are you going to do?"

Teagan: "Going to sleep!"

Annabelle: "I going to have a sleepover with Teagan."

Teacher: "When you wake up the next day, what are you going to do?"

Annabelle and Teagan: "Play!"

Annabelle and Teagan created a different scenario at grandpa Larry's house.

Teacher: "Where's grandpa, Larry?"

Annabelle: "Hiding! I am going to count!"

Teacher: "Did you find him?"

Annabelle: "He's under the shelves!"

Teagan: "Knock, Knock! Somebody knocking!"

Spanish

Children are naturally curious, and providing them with another language creates a fun and interactive language learning environment.  Young toddlers interact, explore, and discover new things with activities in the classroom.   This same approach is true for children learning a new language.  Bilingualism helps them better understand the structure of languages and can give them an in-depth view of another culture.

Children are naturally curious, and providing them with another language creates a fun and interactive language learning environment. Young toddlers interact, explore, and discover new things with activities in the classroom. This same approach is true for children learning a new language. Bilingualism helps them better understand the structure of languages and can give them an in-depth view of another culture.

Color/Shape/The concept of Full and Empty/Fine Motor Skills/counting/eye-Hand coordination

Teagan put many different colors and sizes of pom-poms in the bottle.   The teacher helped her count as she removed them from the bottle and asked her, Which pom-pom is the biggest?  The activity promotes one-to-one correspondence and compares sizes.

Emily appeared to enjoy pushing each pom-pom and then removing them from the small container. With each movement, she is improving the small muscles in her hands and wrists.

Happy Valentine’s Day

Thank you for coming and joining us on this occasion! Its a day to give our friends and family extra hugs and spread our kindness to all.

Ophelia: “My favorite color is purple!”

February 7, 2020

Cooking with Diane

Socialization/Fine Motor Skills/Taking Turns/Color Recognition

The children helped Diane press the lemon on a Lemon Juicer, and she scaffolds them as they pushed down to release the lemon juice. Then the lemon juice was poured into a bowl of strawberries and blueberries. Each child participated in mixing the fruit.

The Benefits of Cooking With Children

• Build Self-Confidence.

• Use of Imagination. Encourage children to use their imagination to express themselves as they participate in cooking

• Sensory Experiences

• Improve Math and Science Skills (how many strawberries or blueberries on their plate and mixing all the ingredients)

Sensory/Fine Motor Skills/Creativity/Exploration

This hands-on activity provides visual experiences as they engage.  Each child has a different way to explore with clay.  They manipulate the clay in a way that distinguishes them from one another. Some touched and examined it with their hands or used tools. A child’s brain is taking shape along with the clay.  

Alexandra took a small quantity of clay and moved her hands back and forth. As she maintained the movements, Alexandra gradually formed a round shape.

Ophelia takes small pieces of clay from a lump of clay. She observed and investigated each piece and carefully rolls the pieces in a back and forth motion creating, coils.

Ophelia: “Sandra, look, a snake!”

As Emily touched and observed two round shape pieces of clay, she immediately said, “Rocks!” I wonder if Emily associated them as rocks because of the color, shape, or texture. As children learn from different environments, they formulate an understanding of the objects they see and associates them with similar images.

Let us welcome Dalia, our new classmate! She explored her sense of touch and used a popsicle stick to create different impressions on the clay.

Sensory/Creativity/Color

Creating visual art with shaving cream and tempera paint allows children to mix, and explore its smooth texture using paintbrushes, their hands, and fingers.  The tactile surface provides endless opportunities for children to play and discover.  Sensory play is unstructured, open-ended, and not product-oriented; it is the purest sense of exploratory learning.   As they delve into the paint and shaving cream mix, the children feel safe to change or experiment with what they are doing.  It encourages children to maneuver their hands, fingers, paintbrushes, and build their fine motor skills and coordination.  

Annabelle: "Look, Annabelle, in the mirror!"

Ericksen: "Look, Sandra, it's me!"

Blocks

Fine Motor/Imagination/Creativity/Language/Geometric shapes

These sticky blocks are innovative as children maneuver them to create a structure. Each block is an idea the helps them to continue building until their arrangement is complete.

Annabelle: “I building a house for mommy and daddy!”

Teagan builds two houses. She pointed out that the green triangle house is hers, and the red triangle house is mommy's and daddy's house.

Ophelia: “Happy birthday cake!” She sang the birthday song and blew the candles.

Creativity/Imagination/Language/Fine and Gross Motor Skills

Teagan: "I am making a bed. This is the blanket (the two squares), and that's the pillow, Sandra (the rectangle shape)."

Annabelle: “I’m building my house! I’m going to clean my house now!”

Annabelle explored the unit blocks as she constructed her structure.  As she grips each block, she decides how and where to place them.   She does not verbally describe her structure, but as she plays, it tells the teacher something about her developmental growth cognitively.   

Children need plenty of space and time to build and rebuild invented and familiar structures. As Annabelle engages in block play, she discovers that she has ideas and that she can bring her ideas to life by creating, transforming, demolishing, and recreating something unique.

Socialization/Cognitive/Language

During circle time, we perform many different Learning activities. I created these circles out of construction paper and laminated them. We use them to identify colors and its shape (circle or round). The children enjoy singing and listening to music, and adding props and movement makes learning fun and interactive.

All the children participated in a guessing game, Name that song!  As the teacher demonstrated different movements of a particular song without using words, the children were focused on her hand and body movements.