Loose Parts - Fine Arts and Science M/W/F AM Class
November 27, 2017, 06:30 AMWe have
been so excited lately because the children have been exploring with loose
parts in our classroom and it has been so interesting to see how each child
uses them. The children have constructed
many unique creations with the parts.
Sometimes the children will take the parts over to the other areas in
the classroom and add to the other activities they are participating in. We have found them in the sensory bins, in
the dramatic areas and a lot of time the children like to imagine they are
cooking a variety of foods with the loose parts. Their imagination is endless when it comes to
pretending and improvising. The children
see the loose parts so differently than we do as adults and that is the total
beauty of this activity. Sometimes, it
gets messy and we do end up finding pieces all over the classroom but we have
to keep in mind that this is the actual process of the materials being moved
all around the room and used in a variety of ways.
We have
seen the children use the loose parts to create pictures, make elaborate
sculptures and many patterns. Faces,
trees, flowers, houses, and animals are some of the popular creations to
date. The children also love to take the
loose parts and just simply line them up or sort them out into an assortment of
baskets.
This
activity gives a child to think outside of the box, to stimulate their minds
and encourages open ended learning. It helps the brain to develop
mathematically, scientifically and creatively by discovery, experimenting and
problem solving. It also builds fine
motor skills and gross motor skills.
One of the great thing about loose parts is
there is no set directions to follow which empowers the child to be the
direction. This leads to curiosity and
imagination all through using simple loose parts in our classroom.
Until next time
Deanna
Comments
What are we exploring? Fine Arts & Science M/W/F PM Class
November 22, 2017, 07:30 AMAfter
exploring about pumpkins and more pumpkins, the children have now shown
interest in a variety of animals. We
started our journey with farm animals and now have gone on to jungle animals. They have been exploring the animal’s
physical features, how they are similar and different and their habitat. We have been categorizing in a manner where
the children can visually grasp how to group them and trying to make it into a
fun game. This makes it easier for the
children to associate similarities and differences of each animal. By following the children’s interest it allows
us to expand more on other areas of learning because we have captured their
curiosity.
While we are
learning about a variety of animals, we also take the opportunity to learn
about numbers, colours, words, social skills, creativity, drama, music, fine
motor skills and gross motor skills. We
try to incorporate and tie in other aspects of developing the children while
following their lead. The children may
not know it but they are absorbing, developing, practising and making sense of
the information that their minds are taking in, all why playing and learning at
the same time.
The other
day, the children were absorbed in creating snakes during art when Evan decided
he would like to print his name. He then
started tracing out his name and saying the letters of his name out loud. It then caught the attention of Raunik, and
Aikam, who decided they would like to also practise writing their names out
too. So, Jordan and I took their lead
and started printing names. This is an example of how we took their interest
and ran with it while it lasted.
I believe,
our job, as educators is to provide materials, activities, and set the scene
for the children to be able to engross them, intrigue them and captivate them
into wanting to participate, wonder and have fun.
Until next
time,
Deanna
Our First Big Buddy Visit – 4 Year Old Class
November 16, 2017, 08:00 AMOne of the very favourite activities we have at our Preschool, is
our Big / Little Buddy Program. We had our first visit by the Big Buddies
recently, and the day could not have been more enjoyable.
It was so lovely to see the Big Buddies drop down to the level of
the preschoolers, lower their voices and give the preschoolers their undivided
attention. They seemed to become innately nurturing, and the preschoolers
(Little Buddies) responded accordingly.
The children working on Friendship Drawings. The Big Buddies drew
a picture in pastel for their Little Buddies, and vice versa:
The classroom was quiet and peaceful as each child was happily
engaged with their buddies and the various activities put out for them to enjoy
together:
Teacher Jamie brought his guitar, and all the children, big and
small, joined in happily singing some old-time favourites:
The children enjoyed having someone available to push them freely
on the swing:
We look forward to seeing our Big Buddies again in December!
Barbi
It's Raining Leaves!!! - 3 Year Old & 4 Year Old Classes
November 14, 2017, 04:04 PMThe sudden change in weather brought down
the leaves from the trees. On this cold but dry morning we spent most of our
outdoor time playing in the leaves. The children enjoyed taking handfuls of
leaves, throwing them at each other or in the air, some of the children began
hiding in the large piles of leaves. We also went for a walk to collect leaves
so we could talk about the color changes that had taken place in many of the
leaves we had gathered.
When
the children were throwing leaves at each other, it is interesting to watch how
each child has a natural instinct to know that it's safe to throw the leaves
around and at one another. Could it be the positive response they get from each
other. Children, many times follow their instincts as this allows them to make an
instant decision based on feeling and the response they are receiving from one
another.
Until next time
Jess
Something Different - 4 Hour Class
November 8, 2017, 08:00 AM
On Monday, October
30, when I opened the door to let the children in the classroom, I noticed
something different. The children were nowhere to be found. Instead different
characters and animals came in the classroom.
Queen Elsa and an Angel helped Thing 2 put on more dress up accessories.
Luigi came to the
art table to draw.
A minion played
with the cars.
Everest ate a
cookie at the snack table.
Skye read a book.
A firefighter rode
on a tricycle.
A dinosaur drove the car.
Darth Vader came with us to gym as well.
Even though the children did not come that day. We
still had a lot of fun meeting and playing with the different characters and
animals that came to school that day.
It was very interesting to see how some of the
children were acting out their character. The children who were dressed as firefighters
were very eager in helping the other children. They saw everything as an
emergency. The superheroes were running
very fast in the gym. Speed was their super power. I hope everyone had fun
dressing up!
Until next time,
Patricia