Great Beginnings

First Week of School in our Toddler Class

The first days of school have been wonderful as the children are settling in and adjusting beautifully.  They are exploring, making friends, learning new things, getting used to the new routine and most of all having fun.  

Here are some highlights from our first week! 

Morning Table Activity


In our class children often like to begin the day with play-dough.  It's great for fine motor development and the creative and learning possibilities are endless. Here are some fun things we like to do with play-dough.

We like to squish play-dough while counting.

We like to use our imaginations and make thing,
"This is my blue banana."

We like to use different tools on our play-dough like rollers, cookie cutters and plastic knives. 

Alphabet play-dough wands are also popular.

Circle Time

We have Circle Time twice a day in our class.  First we gather in the morning to welcome each other to school. We sing songs and read books that may include: motion, numbers, letters, rhyming, colors, clues, animal behavior or a unit theme. During this time we discuss the curricular theme that we are involved in and participate in the discussion. During this time I also introduce new learning tools such as games or manipulatives that support the curriculum.  We also gather on the run for Goodbye Circle Time.  This is when we recall and recap what we did and learned that day.  We also sing a goodbye song and have closure to our time together.

Circle Time is designed to give children an opportunity to learn to participate and promote the value of community.  During this time children learn social skills as they learn to respect each other by taking turns to speak, listen to each other and practice being patient.  This time also provides and outlet for children to feel comfortable and open to express themselves.  As children sing and listen they can feel the power of music and how it can affect their mood in a positive way.  They also develop an appreciation for literature and enhance communication skills.  The loving atmosphere during our Circle Time fosters a positive group experience so children can feel a sense of pride in their individual contributions and how that affects the greater whole.

Center Play
This is when children choose where they would like to play and with whom. This time is designed to allow the child to follow their interests as they choose how they would like to learn based on their interests.  Children are encourage to try new things as I help scaffold their learning.

        

   

Clean-up

Before clean-up we gather on the rug for Meeting Time during which children express what they were engaged in during Center Time.  Children have an opportunity to share with the group, show off their work  if possible and bring closure to their play.  Then children get to work on the area of the classroom they were playing in and help each other with bigger clean up jobs.

                                 
                           

Outdoor and Playroom

The outdoor and playroom spaces offer a variety of activities for the wide-ranging interests and moods of the children. There is beautiful nature to explore including the garden, grass, trees, dirt, sand, rocks, plants, insects and water.  We have an open area for ball, running and group games. The large climbing equipment, bikes, cars and scooters are great for strengthening gross motor abilities and balance. The quiet shady area is equipped with benches perfect for story time or just hanging out and relaxing. There are also many tools that help us make use of the great environment.

   

We like to check on our garden to see how everything is growing.  We find lots of things in there that we can touch, smell and sometimes even taste.

   

Snack and Lunch
Children prepare for meals by first washing hands and bringing their lunch boxes to the table. We choose a healthy snack then say the blessing and say thank you for our yummy food.  The conversations are always lively around the table and sometimes we even read stories during this time.  When meal time is over children pack up their own lunch boxes and return them to their cubbies.  Chilren also help with cleaning up after meals.  They help wipe the tables with wet paper towels and sweep the floor.

 Daily Special Activity

Every day we set aside a little time for a special activity.  The activities may include but not be limited to art, music, puppet shows, yoga, nature walks, scavenger hunts and crafts all of which support the unit of study.

Developing Self-Help Skills and Helping Each Other

Self-help skills are very important and always encouraged in our classroom.  Children feel such pride and joy when they can do things for themselves.  Feeling proud of their abilities helps them develop an "I can" attitude.  Opportunities for developing these vital skills are intertwined throughout our daily routine.  Children also enjoy teaching and helping eachother with these skills in our class.

During lunch one of our friends got yogurt on his face. He saw his messy face in the mirror but was a bit hesitant about what he should do about it. That's when another friend jumped at the opportunity, quickly grabbed a paper towel and helped her friend out. 
       

"Oh no, look I have messy yogurt on my face." 

 "I can help you, I help him clean his face."

"Thank you."

While playing at the water table during Center Time a friend's smock kept falling off his shoulders.  Another friend noticed the problem and landed a helpful hand.

"Your smock is falling, I can fix it, I close it on the back, all better now."