“Children must be taught how to think, not what to think.” Margaret Mead

Monday, October 6, 2014

campus visit - Monday

outside the Larks Nest

This week we will discover different parts of the Hesston College Campus. Our world is pretty small here at the preschool, so it's always fun to walk around the campus, which we do on occasion, but it's also neat to actually go inside buildings to see what's there. That's what we'll do this week.
I was explaining to the children today that we would be visiting Ms. Cheyenne's and Ms. Kaylah's rooms...one of them asked, Are we going to visit your room, Ms. Larisa? Great question! Love it. :) You never know what kids will say or ask!! It's also interesting to see college student's reactions to kids when they see them on campus. It kind of reminds me of being at the zoo....there's pointing, and Oh look at them - they are so cute, etc. 


Today we visited Erb Hall - the women's dormitory and had a snack in the Larks Nest (snack shop). We had some interesting discussions about the "Larks Nest" and what that meant as well as team mascots, since the Lark is the college's mascot. 

snack time!!

A preschool mom came over to say hi because she works in that building!
And she heard sweet little voices. :)


There were some students trying to study, but we ate our snack anyway. 
Then a visit to the dorm rooms......
walking up the stairs to the rooms (it's blurry because we were moving!)

looking at Ms. Cheyenne's family picture and a picture of her as a young child

Ms. Cheyenne's room

Ms. Kaylah's room
(she let the kids climb the ladder to get on her bed. Cool stuff.)



Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Mexican Food Night!

Eat Mexican food,
help preschoolers START learning

____________________________________________________________

Every Tuesday in November,
El Cerrito Mexican Restaurant will donate
15% of daily meal proceeds to the 
Hesston College Preschool Scholarship Fund.

Private donations will also be accepted.  For more information call Larisa at 620-327-8161.


Friday, September 26, 2014

marble roller

This week I introduced a new "toy" in preschool - a homemade marble roller. My Grandpa Miller was a handy man/carpenter and built it for me years ago. He's gone now, but I know he would be pleased to know that it is being used by young children. 
It was a fun addition to the room...including more noise, screams of delight and taking turns.

  

  

Notice that little wood car with wheels?
It is part of the marble rolling experience and encouraged turn taking.

rocks and trees

When the preschool playground is muddy or we want a change of scenery, we take a walk on campus and head to the "rocks and trees". They are near the "Lemon Center" on campus. No - there are no lemons on these trees....:)
It's great to see the enjoyment kids have with climbing, hanging, jumping and role playing on the rocks and trees. I hear, "Ms. Larisa look at me" one thousand times and "help I'm stuck...." too. 
What would we do without something as simple (and great) as rocks and trees? 

Thank you God for your wonderful creation that is used in so many ways.



 


       


Monday, September 15, 2014

our pet turtle for a day

We had a brief encounter with "Tiny Tim" the turtle before he returned to his/her natural habitat at the arboretum. He got a lot of attention and lovin' during his short stay at the preschool.

petting the turtle

moving like the turtle

nudging the turtle on its way :)

Friday, September 12, 2014

oh to be a kid

I always enjoy observing children - how they interact with peers, what activities they choose and how they go about completing these. And I enjoy seeing their personalities reveal themselves in all they do. :) Overall, I bask in the joy and carefree-ness they have with life. "oh to be a kid"  
Here are some pictures that capture being carefree and enjoying life!

counting bears

being outside 

wearing a hat while punching holes in paper!

holding a baby so gently

one of my favorite shots - enjoying life!

building ramps so marbles can roll down

reading a favorite story

singing abc's with the computer!

building tall towers

the train is in order

it was wear your bright yellow shirt day (and a girl in a blue dress that wanted in on the fun)

reading in the tub. Wouldn't you like one of these?

working on a puzzle

having a teacher chase you around the playground. Thanks Ms. Meredith!
Tada. Stringing beads complete. :)

Have a good, carefree weekend.
Enjoy the marvelous Fall weather. YES!!!

Friday, September 5, 2014

teachers at preschool

We have had some busy days at preschool and the children are getting to meet a lot of new faces too. I thought it might be helpful to have the teachers names listed here, so you could learn their names as well.

Ms. Larisa - This is my 10 year teaching at HCP! I have so enjoyed getting to know many children and families through out the years. 
Ms. Kayla (morning sessions) hails from Haven, Kansas...just down the road. Her mom is a preschool teacher and so she has had a lot of experience working in a preschool classroom.
Ms. Cheyenne (MWF) comes from up north, Flint, Michigan. She is interested in helping people and is still deciding on her major.
The other "teachers" you may hear about are taking the Introduction to Early Childhood Education course this Fall and come in the lab 1 time a week:
Monday - Caroline Kauffman and Molly Bruner
Tuesday - Hayley Cooper, Danielle Rhoades, Re Kreischer and Meredith Spicher
Wednesday - Caroline Riggenbach and Lorae Weaver
Thursday - Brooke Hammond, Tori Craw, McKynzie Wyatt and Anna Penner
Friday - Catie Kauffman, Bekah Deaton and Anna Martin

As you can tell we have a full class! The children are getting a lot of good one-on-one interaction with so many teachers.

We really look forward to a great year!