Do not knock over blocks!

As often is the case in the block area, someone builds a structure, leaves to go to another area, and the next thing you know - boom, crash; the structure is destroyed. Last week, we (myself and MWF several children) came up with a solution to this problem. Make a sign that says, "Do not knock over blocks!" We soon discovered that several signs were needed, so one creative gal made the signs - drew the picture and wrote the words. Pretty impressive. We saved the signs and use them (almost) everyday. 

Bulletin Board

I rounded up some helpers in the MWF class to help paint the background for the Bulletin Board in the hallway entry.  We started with a blank white paper, orange, brown and light bluish paint, rollers, sponges and off we went. It turned out very well. Ms. Larisa added the tree later. Each class made the leaves; during preschool we put pine cones and acorns into a box along with fall colors and let the children roll and shake it. Then, Ms. Larisa cut out leaf shapes. 

They really got into it. It was interesting to see the different
painting styles each child had. These four were
very dedicated to getting the job done! 

Time to add the sky.

You'll have to come to the preschool to see the finished product! :)

There were 3 in the tub....

I find it interesting to see what children do with the "tub" in the library area. It's often used for reading and enjoying books, but it's often transformed into other things too. Here are some girls who need to rest a little. Looks comfy, eh?!

Hair Salon

The "house area" of the preschool, also referred to as dramatic play, has a variety of things for children to pretend play, take on roles and use "scripts." There are dolls, baby blankets, stuffed animals, dress up clothes, pretend food, dishes, play phones, calculators, "beauty supplies" (empty bottles, play hair dryers, combs, empty make up containers), purses, play shoes, etc. It seems like a lot of items to have available (and it is), but the children use and enjoy everything provided. A lot of language emerges in this area, along with children taking on roles (mom, dad, baby, etc.), negotiating, and using scripts in play (The mom says_____, The dad says _____). There is a lot of learning taking place in just one area of the room. 
For awhile now, the TR class has demonstrated a lot of interest in "fixing" hair with the supplies that are available, so I thought it would be neat to turn the house area into a hair salon. I was going to call it a beauty shop, but several older children looked at me and had no clue what I was referring to, apparently that is an "old" term! (I stand corrected!) 

The preschool Hair Salon is open for business. 

Just give us a call for an appointment and we will try to fit you into our busy schedule. 

The salon is a busy place! 

Getting all pretty here!

There was some great role
playing going on here.
Ms. Cassidy fit well into her role
as the customer! 

Christmas Boxes!

We have been learning a lot about people and children from "around the world," and so I presented the idea of packing 2 Christmas boxes (for Operation Christmas Child) to the MWF children during circle last week, and they seemed pretty excited about it. It took us less than a week to gather the items we needed, pack them and even create fun little cards for the children who will receive these boxes/gifts. I think it was an incredible lesson in giving to others. This was my first time to try this with children and I believe it was very successful, and I would definitely do it again. Thank you to all who gave! 

We are ready to start packing those
shoe boxes! And they were very
helpful, making sure each box had
exactly what it needed!
I even let them choose which
stuffed animal should go in each -
they discussed, voted and decided
on just the right one to put in each box.

One done, one more to go! 

Stamping card pictures for the children.

I printed out a picture of our class, each of
us signed our names. I thought it would
be neat to include our address on the back.
Who knows, maybe the child who receives
the box will write us a letter?!

Happy Halloween!

This week our focus is on the book, GO AWAY, BIG GREEN MONSTER! It's a great book that helps children overcome their fears about monsters - by telling the monster to GO AWAY, AND DON'T COME BACK UNTIL I SAY SO!

MWF Class

TR Class

HAPPY HALLOWEEN! 

Preschool t-shirt!

Tada! The preschool t-shirt is ready to go for children and adults!

$10 per shirt. Orders due by Wed, Nov 8! 

(Order forms are at the preschool)