What's on the other side of the wall? - 4 Year Old Class
February 6, 2018, 06:30 AMDuring our potluck I had noticed that some
of the children that were in our class last year like Koen and Fraser were playing
the “chasing game” in the gym along with some of the friends that are in our
class this year Matias and Stephan. It was evident that they were very happy to
see each other.
We decided we were going to reunite these
friends in the new year by opening up the wall and combining the 4 hour class
with our class. I told the children a week before the day the classes were
coming together and some friends went home so excited like Matias. Others had a
lot of questions as to how we were all going to fit in the space, will it be too
loud and what would we all be doing?
Karen opens the wall and the
children walk into our classroom.
Lucas and Ariyen seemed to be
enjoying playing with the toys in the 4 hour classroom,
Matias, Koen and Fraser are
happy to be connected and begin to play with the magnetic animals, joking with
one another.
Charlie, Magnus and Roan are looking at ways to
set up the ramps for the balls to roll down
Magnus has an idea, he attempts to
stack up the cones so the ramp will balance.
This was the creativity of the 3
boys playing together.
Some of the children from the
4 hour class noticed children having snack and decide
to join them having snack
together.
We gathered
the children on the carpet and decided to play a co-operative game where the
children take a shoe off and we place them around the classroom. The children
have to go find their shoe as well as help find friends shoes. When all
the shoes were found, the children returned to the carpet.
It was time for the 4 hour
class to go back to their room and we were heading outside.
We said goodbye and
look forward to the next time we combine classes.
Until next time
JessComments
Water Park - 4 Hour Class
February 1, 2018, 06:00 AM
When we went
outside to play at our park today, it did not look like our usual park. But
instead it was a water park. There was water everywhere.
Dayna said “the
water is too high, it will make my socks wet”. With that being said, she did
not go in the water.
On the other hand, Austin and Elliot went in
the water to see how deep it was. Both were convinced that their boots and
muddy buddy would keep them dry. Elliot said “the water is lower
than my boots”.
Keane used a stick
to measure the depth of the water. It was only the stick that was submerged in
water because he did not want to get wet.
Chelsea measured
how deep the water was by going in and using a stick. She was also interested
in seeing whether the stick and leaves float or sink.
We definitely had
a fun experience at our “water park” today. Some of the children even suggested
that they bring their bathing suits next class. Playing at the park with all
the water, gave the children the opportunity to practice their skills in
measurement (depth of water), buoyancy (float or sink) and gross motor skills (walking
in water). I wonder what the park will
look like the next time we go outside.
Until next time,
Patricia
New Friendships Forming - FAS T/Th Class
January 26, 2018, 06:30 AM
Happy New Year Everyone!
However, it has also been interesting to see new friendships forming amongst some of the children who have already been attending preschool alongside each other since September. Perhaps the combination of their personal growth and development has caused the changes in their social choices.
It could also be attributed to the play opportunities they are seeking, which influences who they are choosing to collaborate with. These preschool playmates could also be discovering common curiosities through their communication.
Whatever the reason, we are excited to see the children expanding their social horizons so effectively! Overall, it is great to see friendships flourish and expand because it is very valuable to see children’s social skills grow during these formative years.
As many of the boys and girls prepare to start kindergarten and register for this next step in their educational life, we realize some of our preschool patrons may attend elementary school together. This opportunity may continue building on the friendship base developed here at West Richmond.
Hopefully
the holidays brought the opportunity to spend time with family and
friends. Here at preschool, the children
seem to be enjoying the continued experience of exploring and learning
alongside each other, as they did last year.
We
are pleased to welcome new friends, Andrew and Tristan to our class, and have
been grateful to see the boys and girls involve and include them in our program
in many ways. As an early childhood
educator, it is always wonderful to watch the children assist one another in
caring, compassionate ways.However, it has also been interesting to see new friendships forming amongst some of the children who have already been attending preschool alongside each other since September. Perhaps the combination of their personal growth and development has caused the changes in their social choices.
It could also be attributed to the play opportunities they are seeking, which influences who they are choosing to collaborate with. These preschool playmates could also be discovering common curiosities through their communication.
Whatever the reason, we are excited to see the children expanding their social horizons so effectively! Overall, it is great to see friendships flourish and expand because it is very valuable to see children’s social skills grow during these formative years.
As many of the boys and girls prepare to start kindergarten and register for this next step in their educational life, we realize some of our preschool patrons may attend elementary school together. This opportunity may continue building on the friendship base developed here at West Richmond.
Thank
you for the opportunity to spend time with your children, learning together.
Sincerely,
Lori
Moore
It started with a "Dot" - 4 Year Old Class
January 23, 2018, 08:00 AM
The children were given one
piece of white construction paper, with a rectangular foam sheet glued on top,
and... a “dot”.
Once the children started, each child's vision expanded. Some incorporated the dot into their drawings, while others ignored the dot completely.
Until next time :)
“What are we supposed to
draw?” multiple children
“Absolutely anything you feel
like drawing.” teacher
We, the teachers, were curious
to see how each child would respond to the concept.
Once the children started, each child's vision expanded. Some incorporated the dot into their drawings, while others ignored the dot completely.
“When I turn the
paper around, you can see the orange, but the black disappears.” Charlie
“It looks like a
whale, not a shark and its baby” Tiffany
“It's a dad spider
and a baby spider.” Iris
“I did a smile
through his eyes.” Magnus
Barbi
Fireworks - FAS T/Th class
January 19, 2018, 06:00 AMWe
had the sorting box and the foam stacking activity out last class. These were
two separate experiences that the children played with. While I was busy
helping the children at the snack table, I suddenly heard 3 continuous loud
sounds, then I saw the foam rings flying up in the air. When I looked up, I saw Aiden and Era picking
up the foam rings and stacking them on the wooden dowels. I continued to watch
them in their play. Era opened and closed the sorting box that created a
popping sound. After the popping sound was made, Aiden lifted the foam rings
off the wooden dowels. This happened two more times and I decided to ask them
what they were doing. Aiden was quick to reply with “We are making fireworks”.
The children were able to apply their understanding of what fireworks are in their play. A loud sound and different colors in the air were present. This play required Aiden and Era to play cooperatively and communicate with each other to successfully make fireworks.
The children were able to apply their understanding of what fireworks are in their play. A loud sound and different colors in the air were present. This play required Aiden and Era to play cooperatively and communicate with each other to successfully make fireworks.
Until
next time,
Patricia