We learned about the Mayflower today. Who sailed on the Mayflower? What was it like? What were the pilgrims allowed to bring on board? What did they eat? Was it an easy voyage? Where were they going? We answered all of these questions and many more as we explored the voyage of the Mayflower to Plymouth.
The children participated in a guided drawing activity this week. This activity focused on listening and following step by step directions as the children drew their own little pilgrim boy. We have been learning about the pilgrims and the first Thanksgiving. Ask your child what they have learned!
In Early 3’s this week, we began the exciting process of learning to write our names. This is something we will be working on the rest of the year to prepare the children for preschool…and eventually K-Prep. Learning how to write their name by the end of year will give them a head start in preschool or K-Prep and will allow the preschool and K-Prep teachers to focus on writing other words since they will already know how to write their name. Practicing at home will help them expedite this process! Have them practice writing their name in sand or shaving cream…or write it out for them in chalk and have them “paint” over it with water. Every bit of practice will help! We are also teaching them how to grip the pencil correctly. You can help them practice correct grip by breaking crayons into small pieces so that your child HAS to grip the crayon correctly because they are forced to pinch down at the bottom (just like they should on a pencil).
In our discovery tubs the toddlers found farm animals, corn, straw, birdseed and tongs.
When kids use tongs, they have to learn to “separate” the two sides of their hands (thumb/index finger side and middle/ring/pinky finger side), which is a great for developing hand skills, necessary for cutting with scissors and writing with pencils. Tong play can begin as early as toddlerhood and can progress to more refined use of kiddie chopsticks and tiny tweezers as kids progress through elementary school. It’s never too late to have fun with tongs! *
For more great activities to do with Tongs check out http://mamaot.com/2012/10/16/ways-to-play-with-tongs/.
*information provided by 50 Fun Ways to Play with Tongs
Everyone entered the room in surprise to find all kinds of new toys! With the start of October our theme has changed to Spiders and Halloween. Here are a few pictures of some toddlers digging into the sensory tub.
Mr. Tenny loves to eat numbers! We reviewed our numbers 1-12 this week as we strengthened our hand muscles in preparation for writer’s workshop that begins next week. Keep working on those name during homework!
Basic math and number concepts utilized in a preschool or kindergarten prep classroom set the foundation for learning more advanced math concepts. Early exposure to math and number activities will promote your child’s comfort with these skills. Also, additional opportunities to practice these skills will increase your child’s confidence when working with math and number concepts and will lead him to believe he is “good at math.” Click HERE for some fun activities to do with your child at home in all areas of math.
Creative Tots has specialized in the private education of both toddlers and preschool age children for over 15 years. We began in the heart of Madeira and now also have a new Mason location. We are specifically designed to focus on early childhood development for children ages 18 months to 5 years.
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