How does your garden grow? The children have been exploring bulbs and seeds. They decided to plant Iris bulbs several weeks ago and are excited about the developing shoots poking through the soil, the leaves and, this week, the signs of a flower emerging. How exciting for all of us! The children have developed a love of seeds and soil. We have explored the soil, roots and seeds of different plants. The dandelions are in full bloom around the playground. Many bouquets adorn  the classroom. The children have also noticed flowers turn to seed and blow away, starting new plants. We started to examine the flower and what’s inside.








 All of the children were thoroughly engaged throughout this process. A tulip was also available for them to explore and touch. They noticed how delicate and soft the petals were.  

The children wanted a closer look and a magnifying glass was provided for them.

All this led to more exploration of seeds. Scarlett Runner seeds are not only beautiful to look at, but grow quickly and are a nice size for the children to handle.

Choosing just the right seed.

Plastic cups were provided for the children. They dug their own soil and planted their special seed. The seeds were gently watered with eye droppers and placed on the window sill to get their much needed sunshine.




At circle we discussed the germination process that would take place. This was a long discussion with many questions and of course anticipation for their seeds. We would watch. The children checked their plants and cared for them daily.

A little shoot appears.

The seed has split and two leaves are reaching for the sunshine.

Our bean seeds, almost ready to plant outdoors.

The sequence of germination.

All the children got to take home their special bean seeds. The teachers are receiving the growing reports on how the children’s plants are growing.

Our Garden Boxes

A group discussion took place in which we asked the children what they would like to grow in their garden boxes on the deck.



The choices were many. Carrots, peas, purple beans, lettuce , green onions, potatoes and different herbs. The children have chosen to plant a box for salad, including parsley, mint, lettuce, green onions, tomatoes and their much wanted potatoes.

Planting the parsley and getting the soil just right.

The potatoes go into the soil.

It wasn’t long before the children noticed that the potatoes  were coming up.

We will soon have a salad garden to harvest. That will be an exciting day for the children! It is interesting to see how focused and dedicated they are to their plantings. The children are patient.

When asked what other kinds of food they like to eat the overwhelming response was pizza. We discussed what we needed to make a really good pizza. Could we grow anything in our garden boxes for pizza? The children came up with some really great suggestions. They have chosen to plant more garlic, some tomatoes, green peppers and spinach. Our next step might be to add some basil and oregano. We will have a pizza garden to complement their salad garden. A garden for the children - what a great teaching and learning experience!! Throughout this process the children were truly engaged and have learned many different things. It is learning through play, inspiring each other to touch, smell and explore the things in nature.

Until next time…..enjoy this beautiful weather!

~Joanne

Recently, the preschool threes class spent a wonderful morning at the Richmond Nature Park. They used all their senses while exploring the ever-evolving environment of the peat bog, and learning about the springtime happenings at the park.

They touched and smelt, listened and tasted. It was a very fun, enjoyable, hands-on learning experience for all the children.

 

Spring is in the air and with it comes budding and blossoming all around. Following spring break, we heard many stories from the children about how the trees around them were changing. In order to learn more about the topic, we brought nature to the classroom and the classroom to nature. Through tracing, art, circle time, observation of trees in our community and a field trip to the Nature Park, the children explored and learned lots. Here are some snapshots of the fun we had:

In the Classroom



The children completed this puzzle after talking about the parts of a tree at circle time.

They also enjoyed tracing leaves.



After tracing the leaves, the children noted the various parts.



Caleb, inspired by the tree puzzle, drew his own tree!

We brought cherry blossoms in for kids to look at during art.

Madeleine presented us with her inspiring interpretation!

Exploring Trees in Our Community



On our walk around the neighborhood we saw many  trees with no leaves...

...in one of which we discovered a nest!

Nature Park Field Trip

At the Nature Park, the children got to learn about bees and other animals with a park guide. They were also able to ask questions and have a closer look at various animals.




We learned about how bees use pollen to make nectar.

The kids pretended to be bees by collecting pollen with droppers.

The children were brave enough to touch the garter snake

And were fascinated by the see-through busy beehive.

 




Outside, the kids were able to view turtles from afar and various leaves up close with a magnifying glass.

The children got to collect the bugs they found along the way.

They ran down the trail looking for more animals.

 

Add Cade is unable to carry all the marbles he wants to take,  so he has a creative idea and uses his shirt to hold them.

Kris is holding a marble; which he then drops down his  sweater to see where it will go inside his clothes. Discovering, being curious and taking risks, are all part of the value of play.

Matthew uses his muscles to dig in the sand box,  and at the same time discovers his friends shadow.  He is developing his motor skills through play.

As seen in the picture, play allows Cade and Anthony to work as a team as they fill the bucket up with sand.

Mia and Lily digging together. They both want to find the wet sand because they have a goal of building a sand castle. Mia is collecting wet sand in the bucket.

The children wanted to see where the big buddies go to school, so we arranged to meet our big buddies at Dixon Elementary School. The power of play is at work again as the big buddies learn responsibility and the little buddies learn the importance of taking turns.

Kai is holding the skipping rope while his big buddy jumps over it.

The big buddies show Mia how to use the “hopper” and then  the big buddy waits patiently and watches for Mia to jump on.

Learning to trust big buddies. Taya trusts her big buddy who is pulling her on a mini roller board.

Ava jumps rope with her big buddy.

The big buddies are responsible for the little buddies in an outdoor space at the school. The little buddies fully trust their big buddies, as the little buddies are at ease chalking in this space.





The value of play allows children to gain social and emotional skills, enhance language and cognitive skills and develop motor skills.

Until next post!

~Jess

We can suddenly see how far they have come in regard to sharing, taking turns, using their words and expressing themselves creatively. The children are learning to reason and strategize, and to predict outcomes. All of that intellectual learning is facilitated through play.


Kyler and Marcus diligently line up the long wooden ramps.

Marcus discovers that by lifting up one end, the ball begins to roll.

Sophie and Georgia play with Mr. Potatoe Head together, discussing what body parts Mr. Potatoe Head needs.

While looking at the “life cycle” of frogs along with Georgia, Sophie says “This one is the father, this one the mother, no, no...  this one is the mother, this one the sister and this one the baby sister.”

Ella and Claire together, retelling the story of The Hungry Caterpillar.

Our three year old preschoolers are now able to line up and wait their turn with  little fear of someone cutting in front of them. They are comforted  knowing their turn is coming.



Sophia and Samuel start by playing side by side....

After a short while Sophia takes notice of how Samuel is stacking the tubes....

They start working together cooperatively, stacking tubes, realizing they can't stack a thinner tube on top of a wider one. “Where did it go?” Sophia asks Samuel. “It's gone down,” Samuel responds.

When the tubes fall over, Samuel says with a smile “Oh no! We have to build it up again.” And that they did, many times over!

Through play, learning is different for every child. Every child is learning at their own pace, in their own style and guided by their own interests.

Zoe is very patiently putting the felt shapes in place,  not stopping until all the pieces are on the felt board.

She is very comical calling a star a spider, while holding her hands  to her face and pretending to be scared!

Clair says to Charlotte, “I love Pepa Pig so much. You'll love Pepa Pig too.”

“I made birthday cookies,” she said.

“They have to be flat cookies.”

Jack and Sophie are busy making cupcakes and a “birthday” cake which they generously share with their teacher and peers.

Sophie excitedly says “We can have a big party with this big cake.”

The children on a whole are much more at ease in the classroom, and are revealing their individual personalities. It's such a pleasure to spend time with them and witness their growth and learning.

The motivation to learn is powered by play. Cause and effect happens continually through play, and each time children experience a new cause and effect situation, a new lesson is learned.

~Barbi