Big Things Built by Little Hands

Castle demolition has begun! We are moving on to bigger and better things but before we say goodbye, let’s take a look back at all of the hard work our little ones put into transforming their dramatic play area.

Like many successful projects, this one began with group brainstorming. We formulated questions, made connections, and used books and technology to do our research.

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Together, we painted our castle walls and drawbridge.

We worked on the details.

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We assembled it.

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Our kings, queens, princesses, knights, jesters, cooks, servants, and even our royal kitty cats had a magnificent time! Our imaginative play has introduced us to real world concepts, equipped us with rich language, and taught us the art of negotiation!

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To all of our families who donated or loaned costumes, fabrics, or props: Thank you for making this such a well-rounded learning experience!

Pigs in a Blanket! Oink oink! 

For the past several weeks we have been enjoying “The Three Little Pigs” in song, book and puppet form. Based on that, we decided what better treat to have than PIGS IN A BLANKET? We didn’t have to huff and puff while making these treats, but we sure did enjoy eating them. 

   
    
    
    
    
    
    
 

Explorations in Splatter Paint! 

Room 5 took paint outdoors this week. We had a blast trying out different ways to do splatter paint, while reinforcing the unit on Jackson Pollack’s style of painting from Mrs. Monica’s Art Studio last week. Our young friends took full advantage of this messy and challenging method- putting all their strength and focus into their work. We used gross motor skills to throw the sponges and pom-poms, as well as shake the brushes!

We practiced hand-eye coordination to aim and hit the various paint vessels onto each paper, and we had a great time getting messy too! In the end our little artists created one-of-a-kind pieces of artwork that they put their whole heart into.
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Hot Topics: Screen Time

Allotted “screen time” is a hot topic both in education and at home these days. At what age should kids be allowed to use screens? How much is beneficial? How much is too much? Does screen time enhance cognition or does it make kids irritable and unfocused?

While we don’t have all the answers, it is certainly prudent to do your own research to be sure your child is getting the “right” amount of screen time for his/her age and/or personality.

One article from Psychology Today offers that screens can make kids “angry, depressed and unmotivated.” Click here to read more.

Agree or disagree, it is good to be in the know.

*Please note: This article represents one point of view of this current “hot topic” and is not necessarily the view of our school.*

Marble Painting

In Room 3 we enjoy painting with different objects.

Most recently, we have been painting with marbles.  The children roll 3 marbles back and forth in a box with a piece of paper and drops of different colors of paints.  This action creates lines in different directions.  As they shake the box back and forth they call it, “Playing A Game”.


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Fruit Friday at the Preschool!

Friday was the culmination of the “Week of the Young Child” here at the Preschool. It’s a very special week wherein all the staff and students celebrate the spirit of childhood by donning silly outfits and exploring fun themes. On Fruit Friday we appreciate the fruits of God’s beautiful Earth! Each room celebrates in their own way but we all get to partake in at least one common activity- eating lots of fruit! It’s truly a delicious and nutritious day.

Room 2 made a delectable berry shortcake!

 

Room 3 created a very healthy fruit salad!

And Room 5 dissected each fruit on its own and tasted the rainbow!

We all want to thank the parents who participated and contributed so graciously to this very special week at school. Everyone benefits when we all embrace our inner child from time to time!

“Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” -Mark 10:15 (NIV)

 

Fruit Day!

This week we’ve dressed in crazy hats and crazy clothes, done human color blocking, and on some days, we didn’t even bother getting dressed (pj day that is 😉). Today was Fruit Day and our last day of our annual Week of the Young Child celebration. We celebrated with the construction of fruit kabobs! We threaded and pulled our fruit to kabob perfection and then topped it with whipped cream! Thank you beautiful parents for making WOTYC so much fun! 

    
    
    
    
   

Life Science and Earth Month!

Room 5 has been celebrating Earth month with fervor and excitement! We took circle time out doors to the older pod’s back yard and had a picnic on the grass, complete with a nature walk afterwards! We planted our own personal grass pods and have been exploring the elements of the earth around us.


  
  
  
  
  
  
  

We are watching our silkworms eat, grow, and spin their silk webs. Story time also provides a great opportunity to talk about caring for the great earth God gave us and what we can do to be responsible for it!