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September 24, 2019, 03:02 PMThanks for checking our blog out!
We've stopped blogging, but have left these archives up for your perusing pleasure.
Come check us out on Facebook to see our latest updates for what's been happening in our programs!
We've stopped blogging, but have left these archives up for your perusing pleasure.
Come check us out on Facebook to see our latest updates for what's been happening in our programs!
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April 29, 2019, 07:13 PM
Field-Trip to the Richmond Art Gallery
Four-Year-Old Class and M/W/F Three/Four-Year Old Class
We recently enjoyed a visit and a workshop at the Richmond Art Gallery.
The workshop was influenced by the gallery's latest exhibition created by artist Adad Hannah. Melanie, the Gallery's School Art Program Coordinator, was very engaging while guiding the children during this workshop.
The goal was to encourage children to describe and explore works of art... to try to understand the intent of the artist... and to give the children a different perspective of art. A perspective that challenged each child to imagine that they were actually “in” works of art themselves!
Living pictures were projected around the gallery. These pictures were staged with people (in costume) pretending to be people from the original 14th century, historic paintings.
What is a tabla vivan? -Amara
Tableau is French for picture, and vivant is the French word for living. Tableau Vivant... is a living picture. - Melanie
Did you notice some eyes blinking? - Melanie
I see someone blinking! -Mila
I see someone moving! -Elias
She's blinking. -Julianne
Many of the children had seen the blinking. Teacher Barbi had not!
The children were amazed to see that Melanie, herself, was in one of the living pictures.
We are playing pretend in this picture. Who has ever played pretend? -Melanie
I've pretended to be a transformer -
I've been a princess - Salma
I'm going to be Batman - Asher
A robot who is a T-Rex -Ronin S
Melanie shared that the background in the picture was painted, and photos/videos were added.
Did you paint it all? - Amara
Melanie explained that the models held their bodies in a pose to mimic the people in the original paintings.
She encouraged the children to mimic and hold one of the poses they saw in the picture.
We have to be statues - Amara
We are playing pretend in this picture -Melanie
Melanie then explained to the children that the next step would be for them to dress-up in costume.
Was Batman around at that time? -Ronin
The children were led into a room for the hands-on portion of the workshop.
Melanie put a picture of herself on a whiteboard, and told the children... she was at a party. She then asked the children what items might be at the birthday party she was “in”.
balloons!
presents!
cake!
As the children called out, Melanie drew the items around her picture.
chairs!
friends!
party hats!
a table for the cake!
Melanie explained that the children would be able to create their own picture using a photo of themselves. She showed them all the items available to them to dress-up with.
The children were invited table by table to dress-up and have their photos taken. From there... each child's photo was printed, and the children were assisted in cutting out their photos. They then glued it on to their own piece of paper.
Children were encouraged to draw their own background or scene around the picture of themselves.
The process was challenging for some children, but over-all they seemed intrigued by the workshop and what they experienced.
Thank you Melanie for a very enjoyable, interactive and thought provoking morning.
Barbi
April 18, 2019, 03:56 PM
MWF 4 Hour Class
When I’m writing a documentation, one of the hardest things for me is to decide what pictures, stories and reflections I’ll share with you. There are so many joyful, meaningful moments and every day’s learning experiences!
As I was selecting some of the class’ photos I found myself wondering: if we consider the classroom’s environment, the third teacher, what is mother nature’s role in a child’s learning and development?
The exploration of natural environments nurture children’s curiosity and holistic learning as much, or even more, than a classroom. Some of the benefit of connecting children with nature include: supporting creativity and problem solving, increasing physical activity, reducing stress, promoting social emotional development. We see children as innate scientists, artists, builders… full of wonders and curiosity they can nourish and experiment while they are playing in nature.
Exploring the snow
Olivia tested her movements in designing snow angels. She recognized, that since there was very little snow on the ground her movements needed to be gentle in order to leave a better print.
Paige noticed a hand print among all the food prints on the snow, she wondered how did the hand print end up there. Then, she compared it with her hand and tested if she could leave a print too. One of her discoveries was that her glove was in the wrong hand! She was also able to leave a good print with and without the glove. Did she notice that the print she was about to make with her right hand was supposed to look opposite of the one on the ground?
Our role as ECEs is to offer children experiences and opportunities to play, explore and learn, based in their own interests, and discoveries.
In this case, the snow was just the media we had available outside, but this learning experience might be represented again with paint, water, shaving cream, etc.
Continuing
their exploration about printing on the snow, the children also tested if the
snow was thin enough to write on it.
Dejah found a stick and decided to test
the snow by writing her name.
The
following week we were lucky to have a lot more snow! Enough to explore further
about the snow’s physical properties by building snowmen, mountains, castles,
volcanos and dinosaur’s nests, just to mention some.
We
also did some digging, rolling, throwing, catching, tasting and painting too!
(Yes, we painted on the snow and mixed some colors too!)
Linden and the rest of the
children had a terrific time painting on the snow, sadly the next class the snow
was melted!
Exploring the Sand and Water
Our
trip to Garry Point allowed us to keep playing and exploring, this time with
sand. We used water and sand for building, digging, carrying, pouring, shoveling…
and of course drawing and writing on the sand.
The
children tried different objects and sticks to draw. Jovan found one with the
right size and thickness that worked for him.
Since
we arrived, water seemed very calm. Soon, while we were playing on the sand, a
ship passed by. Connor noticed the water started to move forming waves,
therefore the children needed to moved away from the water to don’t get wet.
Trying
to understand what was happening we had a discussion of their possible
theories. Most children agreed that it was the ship what caused the waves,
however not all children seemed complete convinced at first. Staying at the
beach for a longer time gave us the opportunity to watch this effect happening
a few more times… every time a ship or a boat passed by, the waves would form
and rush close to our play area. It was interesting to observe the children’s natural
learning about cause and effect, and take actions based on it. Later the children were able to anticipate the
waves coming, moving farther from the water as soon as they saw the boat
approaching.
We
are looking forward to have many more adventures playing in exiting and
beautiful natural environments like these! Until next time.
March 18, 2019, 04:38 PM
3 Year old class - T/Th
In our 3’s class, we had a conversation about using kitchen appliance and some safety rules around the grater the children were about to use. Luca, Victoria and Carter rushed to the bathroom to wash their hands. I think it must feel like a new experience. They children watched me assemble the grater eagerly waiting to have a turn to operate the appliance.
Everyday life is full of challenges and children need to test themselves in order to make decisions that is right for them as educators we need to show we are trusting them to follow the safety rules we have informed them.
We feel from giving children these experiences they handle appliances safely and with a purpose, understand consequence to action.
Victoria places the lid on the Grater Luca pushes the potatoes
Victoria scraps the grated potatoes.
Luca is placing the potatoes into the grater while Carter gets
to push the pieces into the grater,Carter is ready to push the on button
Luca, Carter, and Victoria help assemble the grater after scraping out the potatoes.
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.
