Tis The Season!!! 3 year old and 4 year old classes

December 19, 2016, 08:00 AM

At the preschool we are feeling the holiday season is upon us with all the fun activities the children have been engaged in this month, from making latkes, to decorating cookies with our big buddies, to playing in the snow. After all those rainy days, the preschoolers were delighted to see the snow. On the snowy days we headed out to the turf to play in the snow. I was surprised to see most of the children just wanted to make foot tracks and seemed to enjoy looking at each others foot tracks, jumping over tracks or seeing where the tracks would take them and even guessing whose tracks the children saw.

Children strengthen their gross motor skills walking, running in the snow, learning how to balance their bodies on a slippery surface when walking in the snow. Children also learn to tightly pack snow, to build things. These are just a few of the many benefits of the snow season.

The children are making a decision whether they are going to step into this puddle without boots

Kaitlyn is tempted to put her feet into the big puddle but does not want to get her runner wet!!! I wonder what decision she will make.

Kaitlyn finds a stick and sits at the end of the puddle to play in it

Jeremiah jumps into the puddle.

Isabelle and Kaitlyn are putting the potatoes in the grater to make our latkes.

Elliot and Fraser are watching Sue frying potato latkes

Lucas decorating his snowman cookie with his big buddy.

Elliot begins by icing the snowman cookie first.

Ruka is decorating her cookie along side big buddy Megan.

Koen proudly says "look Jess I put my fingers in my mittens all by myself "

Making tracks in the snow

Ruka rolls the snow to make a snowman

We made lots of different footprints guessing whose they could be.

Playing with our big buddies in the snow.

Elliot completes her family gift, ready to wrap.

Have a wonderful relaxing winter break with family and friends.

Until next time

Jess

WRCC

Comments

It's Not Just Water Play! (3 Year Old Class)

December 9, 2016, 08:00 AM

As the children wait for the classroom door to open I can hear them calling to parents or friends “I see the water table!" As the door opens some can hardly wait to start playing as they quickly hang up jackets and name tags and come running over to the water table.

I hear splish, splash and pouring begin. It's such a unique activity as its open ended and provides the children with opportunities for learning. Children strengthen their fine motor skill by filling and pouring and hand eye coordination is also exercised.

Some children find it relaxing running fingers back and forth through the water.

Lucas using hand eye coordination as he carefully pours water from high up.

Charlene washes her arm with the bubbles, maybe she is relating it to her bath time.

Charlene runs her fingers through the bubbles.

Until next time

Jess

WRCC

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Vegetable Soup - 3 year old and 4 year old Classes

December 6, 2016, 08:00 AM

The children recently participated in making vegetable soup at Preschool. Each child contributed by bringing one vegetable to class, and by assisting in cutting up vegetables. We were pleased to see the wide variety of vegetables that the children brought to share.

The children learnt some new names of vegetables while playing the game “What Is Missing?”

“Arugu... what?” said Charlie while trying to pronounce Arugula. Rutabaga also proved to be a challenging one.

We spoke to the children about vegetables in general, their nutritional value, how they can be eaten, raw, cooked... and discussed which vegetables grow above the ground and which grow under.

The felt board story Stone Soup was told while the soup was cooking in the class, and the wonderful smell of stewing vegetables could be smelt in the air.

After the story, the children sat down to try the soup they had made. Some were happy to simply have a taste, while others asked for seconds and even thirds.

On another day, we had the pleasure of watching how creative the children were with loose parts provided to them during free Play.

Some children used glass and wooden beads, and rocks as pretend food for the dolls.

While others used the loose parts in a more abstract style of Play.

Until next time,
Barbi

WRCC

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Benefits of Field Trips – 4 Hour Class

December 2, 2016, 08:00 AM

In our class, we try to go on a few outings during the month. Since September we have been on a few. To name some like the Nature Park, the Pumpkin Patch, the Recycling Depot, the Library, and to visit our Grand pals. Most recently, we have been to the Airport and to Larry Berg Flight Park.

Going on field trips gives the children learning opportunities away from our regular class environment. It provides them with new experiences and challenges in a different setting than school. It helps them learn in an interactive manner and also provides hands on learning opportunities. For some it’s taking risks out of their comfort zone and for some it’s a way to experience new adventures with their peers.

Other benefits of field trips are that they provide varied ways of learning which help children succeed if they are visual learners, auditory learners or kinetic learners. It is amazing to see what children see through their eyes and to listen to their comments and conversations amongst each other. Sometimes the children may not discuss their experiences immediately but during the days after, we do hear things that pertain to the outing. It’s amazing what they retain and how they learn through experiences.

During our trip to the airport the children were excited to see the planes taking off from the observation deck. It triggered memories of when they went on a trip or when they came to the airport to pick up a family member. There was much chatter going on. We explored with the telescopes and the 3D model that was showcased. There were also simple learning opportunities such as walking through the busy airport and staying with the group and using our safety awareness when walking from the bus to the airport entrance way.

When we went to the Flight Park, we climbed the huge globe in the centre of the park and looked at all the different countries and continents. We counted planes and helicopters that went above us. We also had our snack in the park and exerted a lot of energy by running along the globe and climbing up and down. We also made gliders prior to going on our field trip to take with us to fly at the park.

Field trips enable social interaction, community awareness and exposure to new places and new ideas. It is a way to connect to the real world, and to our community. I believe there is an opportunity for learning everywhere and not just in the classroom.

Until next time, take care

Deanna

WRCC

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Sensory Fun - Tues/Thurs FAS Class

November 28, 2016, 01:51 PM

This month, our preschool classroom has been filled with multi-sensory experiences for the children to explore!

As educators, we have attempted to provide plenty of opportunities for each student to see, hear, touch, smell and taste using different activities.

When we focused on “hearing”, we encouraged the boys and girls to try different musical instruments and see what sounds they make.

At our art centre, the children “listened” to classical musical compositions as they created masks by “touching” and using different types of materials. They were able to “see” their finished creations in a mirror when they were complete.

Last Tuesday we observed the students engaging dramatically in the play kitchen where they pretended to prepare different food items and “bake donuts” to share in a planned “pretend” party!

At circle time, each child was able to “taste” different types of flavours (lime, orange and apple sauce) on small wooden spoons as they learned about taste buds. They enjoyed this so much!

Last Thursday we asked each child to bring a piece of fruit of their choice to combine with their classmates and create a yummy fruit salad. It was incredible to see the children so carefully and capably prepare the fruit that they brought to share. This was an exciting exercise for each of them…especially when they were able to bring such a yummy treat home to taste at the end of the day!