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.

 

       

              

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 :)

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!!!

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!