I can't even believe that it is 2022! We got off to a great start today. The children were so excited to be back together. They fell right into our routine. They loved exploring all of the new offerings throughout the room. There were many new centers to chose from including, snowball scoops in the sensory bin, shape sorting narwals, and building a snowman. I think one of their favorites was snowflake stamping. The children love stamps but never get the opportunity to actually stamp by themselves. Today they did and many went home "tattooed" in snowflakes. One of the mornings highlights was the dramatic play area. This week it is a smoothie shop complete with a blender, fake ice cubes, and all of the fruits and veggies one might want in a blended treat. As predicted the dramatic play area is taking on a much bigger interest than it has so far this year. Many of the children spent significant time there today mixing up smoothies for friends, making interesting combinations, and taking orders from their customers. Everyone is sharing the space and items available well. It was a big hit! During our science time we discussed ice. What is it? What does it feel like? How can you make it? This is a substance everyone is familiar with. But how do you melt ice? Everyone was given a large ice cube, table salt, rock salt, water, and a dropper and were challenged to melt their cube. Then the fun began. The boys and girls enjoyed adding salt and water to the cube and watching channels slowly form in the block. Each time they added salt or water the channels in the ice got deeper. Our cubes went from smooth to rough and jagged fairly quickly. From science most were just interested in center time so that is what we did. When the children were out at music I cleaned up a bit and set out an invitation to learning for their return. One of our parents made us some amazing glittery white play dough that smells like peppermint. It is a sensory delight! I set up trays with a ball of dough and had some play dough scissors, arctic animals, and fake ice cubes on trays for them to add to their set up if they wanted. When the kids got back to the room they couldn't wait to dive in. We spent nearly 45 minutes rolling snowballs, hiding our animals in the polar ice caps, and talking about each type of animal. The children were so engaged! And the stories they were making up were wonderful. Not only is play dough time a very valuable fine motor activity but when we carefully add manipulatives it can also become a rich language activity. By playfully engaging in storytelling while working with play dough and props we lay the foundations for future figurative writing. Play is serious work! It was a great first day back. Friday is School T-Shirt Day. We will be painting on ice slabs Friday so it is sure to be another fun filled day. See you then and Happy 2022!
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Why Blog?Here you will find little snippets of our days together. When my children were in preschool and would come home I would always ask, "So, what did you do today?". All they ever said was, "Played." That didn't tell me much. I hope this blog will be a place to share what we have done and help you ask more directed questions of your child. You will see first hand just what we do after you kiss your little one goodbye in the morning. It will also be a great place to visit and see just how much your child has grown and learned throughout the year. Archives
March 2024
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