Our PreSchool Blog

Fine motor skills can be defined as small muscle movements: those that occur in the finger, in coordination with the eyes.  They won’t develop over-night, but with time and practice.  Fine motor skills involve the small muscles of the body that enable such functions as writing, grasping small objects, and fastening clothing. They involve strength, fine motor control, and dexterity. These skills are important in most school activities as well as in life in general. Weaknesses in fine motor skills can affect a child’s ability to eat, write legibly, turn pages in a book, and perform personal care tasks such as dressing.  Fine motor skills are a main focus in our toddler and early 3’s programs and on into the preschool and PreK programs.

Dramatic Play is a cornerstone to a Toddler/Early 3’s classroom.  This is where you’ll find most of the children throughout their day.  It is a core experience where the children begin to use language with their teachers and their peers.  Other things that children learn at the dramatic play area include decision-making skills, cooperation and problem solving skills, social skills, self-expression, imaginative thinking skills, role-playing skills.

Prewriting skills are critical for students to become successful writers in the future.  Here at Tots, we include a writing center within the classroom for the students to build the skills needed for future success.  Some of the things that children will be learning while they visit the writing center are:  letter formation skills, a sense of left-to-right, associations between letters and sounds, communication skills, self-expression, creativity, fine motor skills.

Children LOVE art, and while it is a fun and a memorable activity, children are learning many skills to help them prepare for future learning.  Some of the things that they are learning while they are taking part in an art experience are  pre-writing skills, planning skills, color and shape recognition, concepts of symmetry, sensory awareness, creativity and self-expression, a sense of accomplishment.  But most of all…it is FUN!

We are collecting gently used shoes this week to share with the Soles4Souls shoe foundation.  These shoes will be distributed by the foundation all over the world to children and families who aren’t able to provide shoes for themselves or their families.  This doesn’t cost you thing, just a trip to the back of your closet.

Young children need opportunities to develop their bodies and coordination by running, jumping, climbing, lifting, pushing, and pulling.  Physiological readiness precedes other learning.  The playground is a natural place for physical development as well as for social and emotional development.  You children need challenging playground experiences to develop early self-confidence along with large-muscle skills and coordination.

The time has come.  The school year is once again upon us and all of us are ready (including the kids).  As we do each year, we will be kicking off with our annual Back to School Carnival.  Miss Penny, Miss Joanie and all the regular favorites will be on hand for art and song while the snow cones and popcorn abound.  This year is going to be phenomenal.  We are excited that you were able to join us and look forward to kicking things off right.  Come on out to 7803 Laurel Avenue from 3:30-5:30pm and bring your camera.  You don’t want to miss the opportunity to take a picture of the four-year-old face-painted spider-man, clutching half a cherry snow cone with a mouth full of laffy taffy attempting a spin-art masterpeice while dancing to Miss Joanie’s potty song and stuffing his pockets full of popcorn . . . because he may turn out to be yours.  Have Fun!

Today at group we talked about clouds and how they are made.   The kids were amazed as they watch our cloud in a bottle experiment.