Every spring, Mourning Doves make their nests around The Older Pod Patio (in the rafters). Our friends in Rooms 1, 2 and 3 enjoy watching the birds fly around, gather twigs and care for their eggs. We enjoy observing and discussing the beauty of nature in our learning environment.
Check out how our friends use playdough and natural elements to create their own bird nest inspired creations.
Snail’s Pace Race is a children’s board game that teaches cooperation, turn-taking, one-to-one correspondence, color matching and more! On the Older Pod Patio, we’ve adapted this game to be a fun and interactive gross motor activity.
Our friends in Rooms 1, 2, and 3 have enjoyed learning the rules to this game, trying new roles, cheering each other on, and practicing good sportsmanship with a hug or a high-five.
Check out some of the fun activities we did on the Older Pod Patio throughout the month of March.
Our friends in Rooms 1, 2, and 3 enjoyed Dinosaurs!
We marble painted!
We enjoyed garden snakes!
We worked together to build a long, colorful “snake” using counting cubes.
We used shaving cream and green watercolor for a sensory/pre-writing experience.
We painted rainbows!
To close out the month of February, our friends in Rooms 1, 2, and 3 have been enjoying a train dramatic play area on The Older Pod Patio.
Looking at the materials used–cardboard boxes and crates, it may seem unintentional or even unfinished but it is quite the opposite. This simplified interpretation of a train helps children build the capacity for abstract and symbolic thinking. Using objects to stand for something prepares children’s minds for comprehending things like using letter symbols to represent words and ideas. Practicing representational thinking in a pretend play setting is vital for a child’s development.
Check out how our friends take on roles and engage in this exciting activity.
In celebration of Chinese New Year, we’ve enjoyed a few thematic activities on The Older Pod Patio.
For a bit of S.T.E.A.M., we enjoyed red and gold playdough.
At our sensory table, we utilized rice, chopsticks and spoons to scoop, fill and pour.
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:21
We used tearing to strengthen our fine motor muscles and create hearts of gold.
Here’s a look at how our friends in Rooms 1, 2 and 3 are enjoying our Bear Picnic Party on The Older Pod Patio. We never underestimate the importance of stuffed animals. This classic toy— the teddy bear, is used to help act out/narrate scenarios, process emotions, bring comfort and open our imagination to worlds of fun.
This type of activity is essential for cognitive development and helps educators assess how children are processing their emotions and their growing knowledge of the world around them.
“Let all that you do be done in love.” 1 Corinthians 16:14
On The Patio, we are working with colorful connectors. This activity promotes attention maintenance, problem solving, and fine motor skills.
Our patio friends have been exploring natural materials— wood, pine cones, sticks, fine sand and stones. Check out how we build together, use our imagination, and have fun through storytelling and PLAY!
Happy New Year! It’s January and our friends returned to school ready to jump into some fun, winter-themed activities. We started with Animal Rescue on the Ice! Rooms 1, 2, and 3 worked together to free arctic animals from glaciers. This was a great opportunity for us to discuss safety practices– the importance of protective eyewear and spatial awareness while using a real hammer.
As we celebrated Stone Soup Days in the classrooms, we also enjoyed a Sunflower Soup Sensory activity on The Patio with Ms. Kristen.
This is a fun activity that incorporates the practical skills of cooking—mixing ingredients, scooping, pouring, and measuring with all the freedom and creativity children desire. As we play, we’re also sharing space and materials, working together, developing language, learning the parts of the whole (flowers, cranberries, pumpkins, and leaves), recognizing colors, exploring different textures, and strengthening fine motor muscles.
Happy Thanksgiving!
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