March 18, 2019, 04:19 PM
Fine Arts and Sciences ~ Afternoon Class (M/W/F)
Our field trip to the Library on Monday was successful for all. Thank you to the parents
and grandparents who joined us on that day. We definitely appreciate all your effort in
having your child take part in our field trips.
We were met by our favourite librarian, Depika. She does very funny and engaging
story times. We were so lucky to have our own private story time with her. She had the
children take part in the story and had them moving about.
We decided to take a trip to the library since reading plays a very important part in
enhancing a child’s vocabulary and to help them understand how to read and write. It is
the first steps to providing them to understand the world around them. There is so
many benefits of reading to your child as they are always absorbing knowledge around
them. It exposes them to different topics, and vocabulary that they may not hear in their
every day to day lives. The more words they are exposed to can benefit children who
may speak another language at home.
Our field trip also involved having a tour behind the scenes where you normally do not
have access to. The children were able to see what happens when they return their
library books. There was a book sorting machine that the children all got to try out. The
children were fascinated because the book that they pushed through the machine
moved along a conveyor belt. The children all discovered that they would like to work at
a library when they grew up. Our field trip turned into a career fair.
We were also fortunate enough to see the 3D printer working on a boat and there was
also a computerized digital photo display that the children found interesting as they
posed for their pictures.
Depika also introduced the children to all variety of books and the children were so
interested in them. They recognized their favourite characters and books that they have
read. Cecily and her Grandma found a craft book that they found interesting and will be
trying out some crafts at home. Jayce found a book on animals that he found intriguing.
Chloe found a book on baby ducks that caught her eye. I also saw Thomas and his
Dad signing up for a library card.
Regular library visits lead to more reading and reading is brain food. So with that said, I
hope you will visit the library soon. It is a great way to spend time and connect with
your child.
Comments
February 13, 2019, 02:52 PM
YVR EXPLORER TOUR
FOUR-YEAR-OLD CLASS
Our four-year-old class recently took a wonderful trip to the airport for a YVR Explorer Tour.
It started with a skytrain ride to the airport. Once we arrived we walked to meet our tour-guide, Eliza, at The Spirit of Haida Gwaii: The Jade Canoe. The Jade Canoe is a bronze cast art piece in the rotunda of the International Departures level. Eliza spoke to the children about the art piece and had them locate as many creatures and beings they could. The children were asked not to touch the art piece, and showed them how the jade green finish was being rubbed off by the many visitors touching it.
Eliza explained to the children that YVR's architecture was reflective of the province's diverse landscape and people. She encouraged them to look for art that was located throughout the airport, art that draws on the themes of land, sea and sky. As we took our short walk, Eliza pointed out the elements of nature the airport encompassed, wood, stone, water, trees, sky.... This included the beams leading up to the ceiling, and how they were shaped like trees.
As we were walking we passed by an art piece of a pig (year of the pig) that was decorated in red flowers in honour of Chinese New Year. Eliza explained to the children that the screens throughout the airport displayed the times when planes were scheduled to arrive and depart. Children enjoyed sharing their experiences of flights they had taken themselves. Disneyland seemed to be a popular destination point!
The children had their snack in a beautiful atrium showcasing a totem pole, moon and sky. From there we went up a glass elevator to a look-out. There the children watched the suitcases being transferred to the planes, watched the planes reverse, get in position and... take-off!! We discussed the importance of the job the Traffic Controllers have.
Before leaving the airport we had one last look at the atrium from the floor above. Eliza walked us to the train station and the children said a heartfelt good-bye to her. Each child then had the opportunity to push the buttons to collect their skytrain passes, and used them to open the gates to the train.
On our return to Templeton Station to meet the parents, we passed by a construction sight, and went under a tunnel. Everything we saw seemed to provoke enthusiastic conversation. Once off the train we walked up the stairs to the top of the overpass, and watched an incoming train and a plane, and briefly discussed the different modes of transportation. We then walked downstairs to meet the parents.
The conversation was flowing on this field-trip and the children seemed to be sincerely interested in the airport's architecture. Eliza was an informative and very engaging guide. The tour helped us all, child and adult, to remember to look around us as we walk, as there is so much beauty to behold, both at the airport and in the world around us.
Barbi
February 12, 2019, 03:24 PM
FORMING FANTASTIC FRIENDSHIPS - T/Th FAAS
Preschool is a place where we promote exploration and attempt to provide plenty of opportunities for children to learn through play and discovery.
However, it is also equally important for young children to embrace the chance to form friendships that support their ability to experience social and emotional growth.
However, it is also equally important for young children to embrace the chance to form friendships that support their ability to experience social and emotional growth.
As Early Childhood Educators, we have been excited to see many of the children begin to work collaboratively in their play experiences. The children are finding ways to effectively “work together” through their chosen play situations. These cooperative occasions create the chance to practice important skills such as sharing, turn taking, cooperation and verbal discussion with their preschool peers.
Since February is a month where we celebrate friendship and family both on “Valentine’s Day” and “BC Family Day”, I feel it is important to further consider the importance of friendship in an acronym:
F finding common interests and exploring them together
R reaching out to others in kindness and understanding
I investing in others with our time; investigating common interests
E entering into new experiences together; expressing empathy
N noticing other’s needs
D doing things together as a team; developing deeper attachments
It has been incredible to see the children imagining together and developing dramatic play scenarios with the provided materials. They have also been seen helping one another close their snack containers, get a tissue, put on a mitten, or push each other on the swings outside. We are finding lots of friendship in action!!!
We truly appreciate the opportunity to work alongside your amazing children and wish all of you a very wonderful “Valentine’s Day” and a fun “Family Day” too!!!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Lori Moore
January 30, 2019, 05:20 PM
Happy New Year! The last few weeks of January has just flown by so quickly! The children and staff have been so busy and immersed in the New Year and winter season.
Upon our morning arrival, the staff at Merry King Preschool start the day with our room set up. We feel children’s growth and development are enhanced with the support of open ended play and learning. With this said, the materials offered in their play have the purpose of development in all areas: imaginary, cognitive, social/emotional, fine and gross motor. It is so fun to stand back and observe the group as a whole, while capturing such organic and genuine play amongst the children!
One of the many highlights that we offer in our classroom include sensory activities: art, cooking and table top activities. Many children often enter the room and one of the first things they notice is at the sensory table. The texture, smell, and colours capture their attention almost immediately! This may be playdough, shaving cream, sand pellets, or a baking activity that is ready to go! “G” played with the shaving cream for a long period of time! He was having so much fun, that some of it ended up on his face and up his sleeve! Baking is another activity that the children really enjoy. This activity develops skills such as turn taking, sharing, following directions and working together to complete a common goal. 
“This shaving cream looks like whipping cream!”
“I’m making pizza with my playdough.”
“I bake cookies at home with my Mommy.”
Our Winter has been fairly mild and dry this year. This gave us many opportunities to be outside to enjoy our Westcoast weather. The children use their whole body and mind to develop gross motor skills. This includes hanging upside down on monkeys bars, climbing up/down with alternative feet and coordinating their whole body. Digging in sand is one of their favorite activities outside! We often observe so many creative play and great conversations amongst the children.
On our outing to the library, we just happen to witness the dump trunk dumping off more ice to the ice rink. This was such a great spontaneous learning opportunity. Where does ice for ice rinks come from? How is it brought into the ice rink? Who does skating lessons?
Puddles, puddles everywhere! Winter isn’t winter without puddles! There is just something so genuine and natural when you observe a child play with puddles. Whether this may be using a stick to “fish.” Or fully running/jumping through a puddle…children show so much joy in the simple things in nature. They find “treasures” They have the biggest smiles on their faces. And they are just using all their senses to enjoy this one little (or big) puddle.
To wrap up January, once again, we had our monthly visit to “Courtyard Gardens” to visit our Grand Pals. The staff prepared for us to play BINGO! The majority of the children have never seen or played Bingo before. With that said, most children understood and learned the objective of the game fairly quickly. We observed children and seniors helping each other and counting the numbers out loud. As usual, our visit with our Grand Pals is always so inviting and memorable.
“I have number 27!”
“I like to flip the bingo pad.”
“I want a turn to find the numbers!”
“BINGO!!!”
We look forward to February and the upcoming Spring season!
Warm Regards, from the staff at Merry King Preschool,
Matt, Silvia and Bickie
January 21, 2019, 03:23 PM
Dear families, Happy New Year! ~T/Th Fine Arts & Science
December was a busy, fun heart-warming month.
During this time, the children had worked passionately and joyfully on their families’ lovely cards and gifts to take home before the holidays.
And why not, inside the class too…
Jocelyn: “ hey, the pain feels cold like a rainy day”
Latest Explorations
This week our children’s explorations were about birds and cats, as we call it, but no any cats, lions and tigers. Both interests have begun spontaneously with the children’s conversation and play!
We have been exploring about nests and different kind of birds. About their natural habitat, what they ear and the sounds they make. To extend this exploration, we offer the children Plasticine, some tools and other materials to create their own birds and their nests. It was delightful to observe the children’s creativity and competence as they got familiar with the Plasticine and designed their birds in the way and the colors they wanted it to be.
Luckily, today was a sunny and beautiful day to go for a walk and look for some nest. It was not too hard to spot them in the bare trees. We also saw and heard some birds, and found a big broken branch hanging from a tree.
Everett: maybe someone used an ax and cut it down!
As for the lions and tigers, all started with… a scratch on the floor!
Linden: We are looking for scratches from the tiger, we are finding more clues.
Era: look the tiger broke the carpet, naughty tiger.
Linden: he is in the naughty list!
Soon, there was a big group of children looking for “clues” and scratches on the floor. (made by furniture, no tiger had been in this room!)
We are excited to see where these explorations are going to take us!
Until next time,
Silvia
During this time, the children had worked passionately and joyfully on their families’ lovely cards and gifts to take home before the holidays.
We explored about family celebrations, traditions and discussed about sharing and giving to others… and of course, Santa Claus and his gifts were not absented during the children’s conversations and play. These conversations at circle time and during fee play, support children’s learning and exploration about our different cultural backgrounds and, how we are all different but we share something in common, such as the care and love we have for our families, the value of our traditions, and our sense of community, even though our believes and the way we celebrate the holidays might be different.
Welcome back!
December was also fun; we had a pajamas and pizza party! We loved seen almost every one wearing their cozy and cute pajamas and the children prepared their own English muffin pizzas …. They were so delicious; it was “so hard to have only one!”
Welcome back!
After a well-deserved and enjoyable break with our families, we are back with fresh and full of energy mind and body!
Winter have been in our play and conversations for the last few weeks, and the children had been closely looking for sings of a very await snowfall that haven’t arrive yet. However, we enjoy finding and exploring the cold and frost in our surroundings.
And why not, inside the class too…
Jocelyn: “ hey, the pain feels cold like a rainy day”
Latest Explorations
This week our children’s explorations were about birds and cats, as we call it, but no any cats, lions and tigers. Both interests have begun spontaneously with the children’s conversation and play!
We have been exploring about nests and different kind of birds. About their natural habitat, what they ear and the sounds they make. To extend this exploration, we offer the children Plasticine, some tools and other materials to create their own birds and their nests. It was delightful to observe the children’s creativity and competence as they got familiar with the Plasticine and designed their birds in the way and the colors they wanted it to be.
Luckily, today was a sunny and beautiful day to go for a walk and look for some nest. It was not too hard to spot them in the bare trees. We also saw and heard some birds, and found a big broken branch hanging from a tree.
Everett: maybe someone used an ax and cut it down!
As for the lions and tigers, all started with… a scratch on the floor!
Linden: We are looking for scratches from the tiger, we are finding more clues.
Era: look the tiger broke the carpet, naughty tiger.
Linden: he is in the naughty list!
Soon, there was a big group of children looking for “clues” and scratches on the floor. (made by furniture, no tiger had been in this room!)
We are excited to see where these explorations are going to take us!
Until next time,
Silvia