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!

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!

To celebrate Apple Pumpkin Days we enjoyed some festive, fall activities on the Older Pod Patio with Ms. Kristen!

Our friends in Rooms 1, 2 and 3 dissected a pumpkin at the sensory table and made Pumpkin Seed Soup with the pulp, seeds, water and cinnamon.

We used hammers and golf tees at the Pumpkin Pounding station!

We tasted red, yellow, and green apples; then we graphed our favorite!

The Farmer’s Market dramatic play was very busy. Our friends enjoyed picking apples, stocking the market, and cooking/baking with the produce.

“That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.” Psalm 1:3