November 8, 2019

Highlights of the Week:

Exploring Lights

Introducing a light science activity will enable children to explore and understand that lights are everywhere, and we use them every day. Hands-on activities stimulate children’s curiosity. Light can teach children about transparency, reflections, and shadows. Using the flashlights promote interests and exploration to their young developing minds. As the teacher turns off the lights in the gym, the children will have the opportunity to explore and discover how lights work.

Teagan shows the teacher that she could see her fingers by pointing the light towards her hand. The asked her, “What color is the light?” Teagan replied, “White!” The children enjoyed looking into the lights, observing and examining its reflection on the wall.

The teacher demonstrated to the children that the front part of the flashlight has a circular shape. As they pointed towards the wall, it displayed the shadow of a circle. Annabelle moved back and forth, pointing the flashlight towards the wall. She noticed that the closer to the wall she got, the smaller the round shape, and the farther she got, the more prominent. They all appeared curious and intrigued as they manipulated the surface of the lights, and noticed the brightness the light emitted. Light promotes curiosity, exploration, fine motor, language, and cognitive development. Children’s natural ability to explore enables them to discover ways to understand the world and their environment. We will revisit the upstairs gym to explore lights again.

Three-dimensional Art

When playing with glue, children can learn how one object can adhere to another, sometimes permanently. Children will also make choices about which objects they want to use, where to place them, and how many to include. Helping them experience decision-making skills enables them to build autonomy.

The three-dimensional art using re-purposed materials allows children to use their imagination. As they applied glue and recycled paper towel on a wooden square, they’re creating a beautiful work of art. Each differently designed, demonstrating the child's uniqueness.

When young children create and participate in art projects, they are first learning to discover an idea. They then work to bring that idea to life. Through art activities, children can learn problem-solving, effective communication when working, divergent thinking, and will develop a sense of aesthetics.

Painting

Painting on a black poster board makes the art piece vivid and the brushstroke interesting to observe. Annabelle initially started painting on the poster board and moved her arms up and down and side to side to create different brushstrokes. Alexandra incorporated some of hers, making it a collaborative piece.

The children appeared to enjoy this different process of painting. As the children moved their paintbrush across the plastic, they develop cognitively, emotionally, and physically. They are all being creative with their paintbrush, roller, or their hands. Teagan used her hands and said, "It feels warm!" Painting enables children to explore and observe how paint can work on different surfaces.

Exploring, paint, glue, and salt!

Has children manipulate drawing tools on their drawing paper, they create straight, zig-zag lines and circles overlapping each other. As Teagan draws, the green mark is a helicopter. Then she said, “I want to hang my picture up! Embracing their words are important. Therefore, her picture is on the wall!

As Annabelle draws:

“Look at this! Mommy is going to be so happy!”

Dramatic Play

Annabelle is taking a picture of Teagan, as she says, cheese. The teacher wonders if she is imitating her or someone else. Young toddlers learn from their environment and the people they interact with every day. Therefore, imitation could have happened anywhere. Dramatic play encourages young children to play freely while exploring different roles. Creative play is a great way to build your child’s communication skills in a fun and supportive environment. When children are engaged with their chosen material you’ll notice they talk to themselves about what’s happening. This, in turn, leads to building their vocabulary and developing their imagination.

They enjoy talking about fruits and vegetables and the different foods to give to their babies. We read Maisy is going Shopping. Therefore, we are planning a trip to the supermarket. Each child articulated what food we should buy:

Grocery List:

Carrots (Annabelle)

How about some bread (Teagan)

Strawberry (Alexandra)

Apple Juice (Ophelia)

This baby doll washing activity is always an absolute favorite with the children when we set it up in our classroom. It is an excellent role-play activity for developing personal, social, and emotional skills as well as being a fun water play activity for toddlers.

Ophelia: “Baby sit-up, baby all clean!”

Annabelle calls Teagan and said, “Baby has to go outside and look at the ducks. (Singing) Wipe, Wipe, the feet at Buckle My Shoe today!”

Teagan: (Singing)“Wipe wipe the back!”

Teagan: “Baby you are a baby. Oh, my baby you so heavy!

Teagan: (Singing) “This is the way we wash the baby!”

This activity promotes caring for others, showing understanding and self-care practices.

Movement

Movement is vital for young children’s development. Supports balance, coordination, and strength, support awareness of themselves and others through creative movement, and movement fosters interactions.

We will be demonstrating and articulating the first letter of the children's names on the erasable board. Gradually they will recognize and identify not only their letter but their peers.

Specialists:

Spanish

The Spanish specialist discussed different farm animals and the sound they make. They also listened to a song similar to Old McDonald's. The children were focused and listened attentively. They enjoyed singing familiar songs and listening to new ones.

Cooking with Diane

Trail Mix: Corn Chex, cinnamon and raisins.

Ms. Diane introduced the items by having the children taste and smell them.

One of the fun things about cooking with Diane is that the children participate in pouring or mixing the ingredients. Including them in activities increases their self-confidence.

Soccer- The children are having a great time learning different strategies as they increase their ability in kicking the soccer ball.

Music

Today we had two friends visiting Buckle My Shoe, Chase (the girl with the pink shirt), and Ram (the boy holding the red maracas). They seemed to be enjoying the music session as they listened to the songs and played the musical instruments.