Our PreSchool Blog

The toddlers had a terrific time exploring the classroom and playground, meeting new friends, and learning through play!

Friends are vital to Preschool & Pre-Kindergarten children’s healthy development. Friendships provide children with more than just fun playmates. Friendships help children develop emotionally and morally. In interacting with friends, children learn a lot of social skills, such as how to communicate, cooperate, and solve problems. They practice controlling their emotions and responding to the emotions of others. They develop the ability to think through and negotiate different situations that arise in their relationships. Having friends even affects children’s school performance. Children tend to have better attitudes about school and learning when they have friends to share it with.

At around 18 months, there are notable changes in cognitive skills that help real friendships blossom. Toddlers become more consciously aware of herself and others. This stronger sense of self also helps the toddler become more aware of how other people feel. An emerging understanding of cause and effect helps the toddler to know that grabbing her friend’s shovel will make him cry. An equally new understanding of order and sequence gives the senior toddler the tools to begin to take turns.

These emerging thinking skills are embedded in the emotional life of the toddler who often struggles with urgent and sometimes volatile feelings. For instance, the 2-year-old’s strong push toward independence and autonomy might take the form of grabbing her friend’s shovel even though she knows her teacher won’t approve – and her friend will cry. The child’s need for feelings of control or power become focused on possessing that particular shovel, no matter what! How we intervene can make a difference in how the child learns to navigate the give and take of friendship. Give him/her the language so that she/he can label and express their needs. “You really want that shovel, but Nicholas is using it now. You can use it when he is finished. It is so hard to wait for something you really want.” Empathize with the toddler while you set clear social rules. You can offer an alternative toy but refrain from quickly distracting her. Give her a moment to think about how she is feeling and adapt to the demands that come with learning how to play with other children. Sometimes 2-year-olds who are having a conflict can work things out themselves, so wait that extra moment before moving in.

Developing friendships depends on the toddler’s growing ability to regulate or control herself. A friendship between two toddlers can be very intimate and meaningful, especially when they are together each day.

source:  Ages and Stages:  How Children Build Friendships

Man, have our toddlers grown! On Friday, the boys and girls sat so patiently while we came around to help them build boats with pool noodles, straws and foam triangles. After the children finished their boats, they were able to go see if they would float! Our sensory tub was filled with water, along with some other tubs around the room. The boys and girls really enjoyed splashing, dunking and floating their boats!

During group time, the boys and girls went hunting in Ms. Laurel’s tub for things that live in a pond. They found snakes, turtles, fish and frogs!

The boys and girls had a blast fishing with Ms. Laurel today! This was such a fun and interactive way for the children to review their colors and shapes. The boys and girls were given a chance to go fishing, then they told the other children what color their fish was and what shape it had on it. They all did a great job recognizing their shapes and colors!

Ms. Joanie came to class for music and brought a special friend….ELMO! The boys and girls love Ms. Joanie’s silly Elmo voice! She played her guitar and sang songs while the boys and girls played their sticks. Then Ms. Joanie sang everyone’s favorite song, We Are The Dinosaurs! The children had so much fun singing and dancing.