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.

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.