Conscious Discipline

I am currently taking an online Challenging Behaviors grad course through K-State and the content is on "Conscious Discipline". It is a book by Dr. Becky Bailey. I am learning a lot about myself and how to best help children learn self-regulation (learning how to manage our own emotions) skills. There are also very helpful resources for families to use at home as well. Yesterday, I introduced a technique called S.T.A.R. (a breathing technique to help {anyone} when you are upset) to the MWF session - I plan to teach the TR session very soon. S.T.A.R. stands for Smile Take a breath And Relax. We practiced this several times and I had a STAR icon for children as a reminder of what to do when they get upset. After we practiced this technique a few times, I quizzed the group....What do you do when you get upset?  STAR they replied! YES!!!
I plan to share little snippets with you as I learn more. 

Don't worry, we don't have a lot of upset children at preschool, it is just helpful to be pro-active and learn techniques before we may need to use them. 

For more information about breathing techniques and free printables, check out their website at:

https://consciousdiscipline.com/resources/safe_place_breathing_icons.asp

hunters and gatherers

It's that time of year when there are signs of Fall starting to burst forth....all except for the silly HOT weather! I was walking across campus yesterday and discovered lots of acorns. We need to gather these before the squirrels do, I though to myself. And the children would enjoy helping with this important task. So, today our outside time was walking over to the mother load of acorns. And boy, was it a blast! 
Such good little hunter and gatherers they were. 

Hands full of acorns. 

It's acorn gathering time!

How many more can this bag hold?

It takes two to hold this bag. 

Sensory table

Have you every played with play dough or felt the soft, smooth texture of corn meal? Once you start, it's hard to stop. There is something therapeutic and soothing about sensory play. 
Most children are naturally attracted to sensory experiences. They just can't help themselves. They learn with all of their senses as they explore and learn. The sensory table at preschool provides ample opportunities for children to do this very thing - explore and discover using their senses, especially the sense of touch. 
Sensory table play encourages these skills: math, science, language development, social/emotional, approaches to learning, creativity, physical development and more! And it can be messy, but it sure is enjoyable!
According to High Scope Curriculum (http://www.highscope.org/file/newsandinformation/extensions/extvol25no5_low.pdf), "Sensory play contributes in crucial ways to brain development. Think of it as “food for the brain.” Stimulating the senses sends signals to children’s brains that help to strengthen neural pathways important for all types of learning. For example, as children explore sensory materials, they develop their sense of touch, which lays the foundation for learning other skills, such as identifying objects by touch, and using fine-motor muscles.The materials children work with at the sand and water table have many sensory attributes — they may be warm or cool, wet or dry, rough or smooth, hard or soft, textured or slimy. Discovering and differentiating these characteristics is a first step in classification, or sorting — an important part of preschoolers’ science learning and discovery."
By providing sensory experiences for young children, we are helping them learn and grow in many ways. They are scooping and pouring different mediums (water, sand, corn meal, rice, etc.), but they are also gaining other skills as well. I enjoy watching and encouraging the learning that takes place at the sensory table. It's neat to ask questions that will help children problem solve and find the answer on their own through discovery. Usually the item in the sensory table becomes something else, like cake, pie or macaroni and cheese. Give children an item and they will create something new.

It's dusty. A little messy.
It gets on the floor.
It's all part of the learning.

These girls stayed here most of the time.
And their little faces were dusty.

Block area

The block area has a variety of blocks, people, cars, animals, etc. and with all of these materials, you just never know what might happen. Or built. Children demonstrate their creativity, problem solving skills and imagination in many ways in the block area. It is very cool to see what they come up with, mostly on their own.

This guy had to be creative, since most
of the blocks he wanted to use
were already being used.
We came up with plan B!

It started simple and more was added!
Not long after I took this picture, it came
tumbling down.
Notice the block shelf is empty.
Every single block was used in some way
this day.

I demonstrated how to use these tubes
for ramps. And they were hooked!

Spontaneity!

One thing I've learned over the years, to be more spontaneous as a teacher. I plan and organize and make sure everything happens in a day, but sometimes you just need to be flexible and spontaneous. Young children have taught me that. Today was one of those days. A child brought earthworms for the "E" letter of the week bag. Guess what we did during choice time? Dumped the dirt and worms in a tray, gathered around and did a lot of hands on learning with them.

 Go with the teachable moments. 

I first put the worms and dirt in a cup, but
that just wasn't working. One of
the worms tried to crawl out. So.......

In the tray the worms went. They didn't
really stay in the tray either. 

The children were very careful with them as
they picked them up with the tweezers.
None were squished.

Ms. Larisa measured a worm and pulled
a little too hard. Part of it broke off.
BUT, that part still moved and
actually grew. Crazy.

It takes two tweezers to control
this worm. 

We may be learning more about worms in the near future.......

Wedgits

Wedgits are rhombus shaped blocks that are wonderful for fine motor skills and problem solving. And self-confidence. The blocks stack, nest and wedge together to create unique structures. We have wedgits available at "table toys" and children are often exploring them. We also have pattern design cards that allow children to copy patterns. Children really enjoy these, especially with an adult present to help support and encourage learning. It's great for older children as well. They have designs up to level D.  
Check out what the children can do!!

This guy cruised through level A and
most of the way through level B.
Very impressive!

He was trying not to do one, but just
couldn't help himself.

Not wedgits, but still creative!

This cutie said, "I'm very pleased with
myself" after she finished a design.
yes, indeed. 

And another one. 

Creating with magnetic sponge blocks.

Here are some links if you are interested in buying a WEDGIT set for home:

http://www.target.com/p/wedgits-imagination-series-with-25-pieces-set/

http://www.lakeshorelearning.com/    (This site had a 30 piece set)

Meet your teachers!

I asked the teachers these questions so you could get to know them better. 

1.     Where are you from? Briefly describe your family.

2.     What was your favorite food when you were a child?

3.     What is one of your favorite quotes?

4.     What’s your favorite indoor/outdoor activity?

5.     What is your favorite season of the year?

6.     What do you enjoy most about working with young children?

7.     What are your plans after Hesston College? What do you hope to be doing in 5 years?

Ms. Larisa:

1.   I grew up in Western Oklahoma, and have lived in Oregon, Colorado and now Kansas! I am married to Vic and we live in Wichita.

2.  Pizza (and still is!)

3.  Tomorrow is always fresh with no mistakes in it. (Anne of Green Gables.... Lauren Carns)

4.  Hiking/exploring nature

5.     Fall

6.  I have always enjoyed young children and their curiosity, creativity and imagination!

7.  I am currently completing my Masters in Early Childhood Education with a teacher certification B-K through K-State’s online program. It has been a work in progress and I hope to have this completed in 2 years. I have an AA from Hesston College and a BA from the University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, Co. I have worked with younger (and older) children in various capacities for the past 23 years. This is my 12 year at Hesston College Preschool.

Ms. Naomi: 

I'm from Colorado (near Colorado Springs). I have a younger brother who is 12, my dad is a firefighter at the Air Force Academy, and my mom works as a substitute teacher at the local daycare center where we live. 

2. My favorite food when I was a child my favorite food was peaches. 

3. What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us. Ralph Waldo Emerson

4. My favorite indoor activity is any art activity. My favorite outdoor activity is swinging on the swings. 

5. I like fall and spring both equally. 

6. I really enjoy being able to share the moment when they are finally able to do stuff and they have that light bulb moments. 

7. After Hesston I plan to go back to Colorado to finish my degree. I am looking at going to either UCCS or UNC for colleges. In 5 years I hope to be teaching in a preschool somewhere back in Colorado. 

Ms. Renee

 1.  I am from Wellman, Iowa. I have a twin sister who studies at Goshen College, a dad who is a car used car dealer, and a mom who is a Kindergarten teacher. 

2.    Any type of pasta! 

3.   "Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see." -Mark Twain

4.   My favorite outdoor activities are running and hiking. 

5.    My favorite season is Fall. 

6.   I enjoy seeing children grow and change throughout the time I work with them. 

7.   I plan on getting my Bachelor's degree (although I don't know where yet) and then I will eventually teach in a classroom of my own! 

Ms. Laura

1. I am from Norwich, KS. I am a triplet; I have 2 sisters. My dad is a farmer and takes care of cows, wheat, soybeans, and milo.

2. My favorite food was pizza.

3. Don’t carry your mistakes around with you. Instead, place them under your feet and use them as stepping stones.

4.  Doing ceramics or crafts

5. My favorite season is spring.

6.  To see them get excited about what we are teaching in school.

7.   I am not sure what I am going to do after Hesston. I may go to school at Wichita State or get a job after graduation.  In five years, I hope to be a teacher, teacher assistant or work in a daycare.