Name writing

We are starting to work on name writing with the TR class. During the art activity, I have the student assistant write the child's name in yellow highlighter - all upper case letters, then the child traces over it with a regular marker. The children don't get it perfectly the first or second or even third time, but it's okay because they are learning and it takes a lot of practice, especially as children are also learning how to hold the writing utensil using the pincer grasp (or tripod hold) instead of a fist hold. 
It's important for children to learn to write their name in upper case letters first because it is easier - they only have to focus on big lines and big curves. They learn lower case letter later, after they have mastered upper case letters. 
If you want to work on name writing at home, here is a sample of what to do. Write your child's name with a highlighter using upper case letters, like this: LARISA. Then have your child trace over it with a marker. 
A note: If your child is holding a writing utensil with a fist hold, don't force them to hold with a tripod grasp; they aren't ready to start writing yet. Their fine motor (small muscle) skills need to fully develop in order to write and cut. Ideas to do at home to build fine motor skills:Provide Developmentally Appropriate Activities to Build Fine Motor Skills:  These activities do not involve pencils and worksheets! Instead, try Play Doh® with a pizza cutter and mini rolling pin, jumping frogs, squeeze squirters, spin tops, locks and keys, novelty toys, hole punches, wind-up toys, peg games, tweezers, tongs, picker uppers, squeeze balls, lacing cards, animal voices, mini cards, mini slinkys, Chinese yo-yo’s, giggle tubes, Wheelo, animal grabbers, squishy balls, and putty with beads and buttons. Games such as Ants in the Pants, Don’t Break the Ice, Operation, Pick-Up Sticks, Ker Plunk, Lite Brite, puzzles, card games, and all kinds of arts and crafts encourage appropriate hand skill development. Minimize passive entertainment usage such as Game Boys, Playstation, and Xbox, etc…as these do not build efficient pencil grasp patterns. (Taken from write out of the box.com)
Remember: It takes young children a lot of practice and patience for them to learn to write their name; don't rush or force them to do it, but make it fun and playful so it is a positive experience. 

Kansas Day!

Today Kansas turns 157 years-old! Holy Moly! We introduced Kansas symbols to the children and they enjoyed learning about them...they may even quiz others about what they know about Kansas...
Here you go:

State Flower: Sunflower
State Tree: Cottonwood
State Insect: Honeybee
State Animal: Buffalo or Bison
State Amphibian: Tiger Salamander
State Reptile: Ornate Box Turtle
State Motto: Ad astra per aspera (To the stars through difficulty; I tweaked it to... to the stars and beyond (that sounds more exciting to a preschooler)....)
State Song: Home on the Range

Here is our preschool Kansas Song:

Sunny Kansas

(Tune: The More We Get Together)

Oh, we’re from sunny Kansas, sunny Kansas, sunny Kansas.

Oh, we’re from sunny Kansas, the best state of all.

Where it rains some and snows some, cyclones come, and it blows some.

Oh, we’re from sunny Kansas, the best state of all.

Pet Store TR

It was so cool to see how the children utilized the Pet Store for dramatic play! They really seemed to enjoy taking care of their pets. And they are very good pet care takers. 

The boy and his pets. The box you see is a
pet carrier. 

A blanket full of pets and food for them
to eat. 

Caring for the pets and putting
them in their bed (the box).

Running the cash register at the Pet Store.

The horse eating its food during
an assessment. 

And cuddling with a snuggly lamb.

What a full and busy day with Pets! 

Pet Store MWF

I had the children help me set up the house area as a Pet Store today. One child made the sign and other children colored boxes that would be used for the pet's cages. I enjoyed seeing the children get involved in the process of getting the store ready to go. I wanted them to take some ownership in preparing the materials and they seemed to enjoy that part of it. Then, it was time to play! 

This gal loves to write, so she volunteered
 to make the Pet Store sign!



Excellent job!! 

Feeding her pet bunny. 

This puppy carrier was donated to
the preschool along with a small
puppy and doctor tools.
The children love it!!

Coloring the "cages" for the animals.

Getting the animals all settled in their cages,
and getting them some water to drink.

The chairs were the cage for the dog.

The Pet Store in action!! 

What is PLAY?

Here is an article from NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) that describes how play benefits young children. 

By: Laurel Bongiorno

1. Children learn through their play.
Don’t underestimate the value of play. Children learn and develop:

cognitive skills – like math and problem solving in a pretend grocery store
physical abilities – like balancing blocks and running on the playground
new vocabulary – like the words they need to play with toy dinosaurs
social skills – like playing together in a pretend car wash
literacy skills – like creating a menu for a pretend restaurant

2. Play is healthy.
Play helps children grow strong and healthy. It also counteracts obesity issues facing many children today.

3. Play reduces stress.
Play helps your children grow emotionally. It is joyful and provides an outlet for anxiety and stress.

4. Play is more than meets the eye.
Play is simple and complex. There are many types of play: symbolic, sociodramatic, functional, and games with rules-–to name just a few. Researchers study play’s many aspects: how children learn through play, how outdoor play impacts children’s health, the effects of screen time on play, to the need for recess in the school day.

5. Make time for play.
As parents, you are the biggest supporters of your children’s learning. You can make sure they have as much time to play as possible during the day to promote cognitive, language, physical, social, and emotional development.

6. Play and learning go hand-in-hand.
They are not separate activities. They are intertwined. Think about them as a science lecture with a lab. Play is the child’s lab.

7. Play outside.
Remember your own outdoor experiences of building forts, playing on the beach, sledding in the winter, or playing with other children in the neighborhood. Make sure your children create outdoor memories too.

8. There’s a lot to learn about play.
There’s a lot written on children and play. Here are some NAEYC articles and books about play. David Elkind’s The Power of Play (Da Capo, 2007 reprint) is also a great resource.

9. Trust your own playful instincts.
Remember as a child how play just came naturally? Give your children time for play and see all that they are capable of when given the opportunity.

10. Play is a child’s context for learning.
Children practice and reinforce their learning in multiple areas during play. It gives them a place and a time for learning that cannot be achieved through completing a worksheet. For example, in playing restaurant, children write and draw menus, set prices, take orders, and make out checks. Play provides rich learning opportunities and leads to children’s success and self-esteem.
 

---

Laurel Bongiorno, PhD, is the director of Champlain College’s graduate program in early childhood education, with specializations in teaching and administration, in Burlington, Vermont. She has taught preschool, directed early childhood programs, and studied parents’ perceptions of preschoolers’ learning through play.

A typical preschool day...

I am always fascinated to see what children choose to do during "Choice Time," which is the free play time where children choose what activities they would like to do. The choices are varied and children typically really get actively involved in whatever they choose to do. It's neat to see their creativity and imagination come to life! 

Activities of the day: 

Name writing

Organizing the dinosaurs

The Doctor taking care of her patients

Sensory table fun with snow dough

Building a super huge train track

More name writing

All kinds of adventures!
(And these girls did great at putting all of those items
away when it was clean up time.)

SNOW DOUGH RECIPE

This recipe is so super easy and only has 3 ingredients: cornstarch, baby oil and glitter!

Here is how you make it: Mix 2 cups cornstarch and 1/2 cup baby oil with a few dashes of glitter. Add more baby oil as needed. The consistency will be soft and crumbly. This batch will fit in a medium mixing bowl. It doesn't make a huge amount. I made several batches so it would cover the bottom of the sensory table. The cornstarch does get a little messy, so keeping it in a bowl or on the table might be needed. I had the kids put on paint smocks and push up their sleeves to keep it off of clothes. It seems to wash out pretty easily.

ENJOY! 

(recipe borrowed from: https://theimaginationtree.com/snow-dough-recipe-for-winter-sensory/)

Let it SNOW!!

Yeah for snow! I know it isn't pleasant for everyone, but we sure need the moisture and it is pretty. Besides being excited about being back at preschool, having snow on the ground is pretty awesome too! We made snow dough on Wed for the sensory table and it is wonderful and easy to make, plus it makes your hands super soft. (I will post the recipe later). I also added cotton balls ("snowballs") to the block area and that added something new to build and play with. It was great to see all of the children again and to get back into a routine!

They were watching the snow peacefully fall
from the sky.

SNOW DOUGH PICTURES:

Hiding the arctic animals - they blend into the snow dough,
so it's hard to see them.

I think they would have crawled into this stuff
if I would have let them.

It packs into balls and is also crumbly.

These gals were busy making piles of 
snow dough and pretending it was
birthday cake. 


ENJOY THE REAL SNOW OUTSIDE!