Messages

Paint Exploration…a Difference in Medium

April 11th, 2012, by Katie

Painting has been a huge interest in the Toddler room this year.  Observing the children has made it clear that this is no coincidence.  Painting, especially when experimenting with a variety of media, allows the children to develop both skills and interests in multiple areas.  For example, as can be seen in the photographs below, children are simultaneously learning the social skills to work within close proximity of each other and the fine motor skills necessary to use droppers.  The experience is made richer by the empowerment children feel from the action/reaction they witness as the water color paint hits the paper, and the visual excitement of the explosion of colors.

Creative Exploration with Climbing Blocks

February 6th, 2012, by Katie

Climbing blocks have become a huge hit in the Toddler Room… especially with the damper weather! A change in block arrangement has provoked a new kind of play… not just climbing, but jumping into “the pool.”

We Appreciate our Families!

January 18th, 2012, by Katie

Thank you for sharing your beautiful children with us and participating in their experiences with us here.

We Love Our Babies!

December 14th, 2011, by Katie

Chopped Tree Exploration

December 5th, 2011, by Katie

We explore what is left of a tree on our playground after watching maintenance workers climb it with special shoes, limb it, and chop it down.

Train Building

November 21st, 2011, by Katie

Isaac, Kylah, and Blue work together cooperatively on a project they have come up with...building a train!

Finn soon joins as well. Riding on trains, whether made from benches inside, or logs outside, has become a common theme in the classroom. Frequent train-riding activities include eating and serving food, and singing, "We're on our way to Mama and Papa's house!"

Rainy Day Delights

November 7th, 2011, by Katie

As we settle into fall, we find that our playground has more to offer than ever!

Finn notices our gutter making a mysterious noise...Fletcher walks over to investigate

They wonder together what is making the pinging sound coming from inside the pipe...

Blue is curious as well.

Finn, Fletcher, and Blue discover that there is water splashing in the bottom of the pipe, and decide that this splashing might be part of the noise.  Together we discuss where the water might be coming from.  I suggest the possibility of rain, and ask, “Is rain made from water?”  Finn laughs, and responds, “No, rain is made from clouds!”

Even after discussing the mysterious sound for several minutes, we continue to be fascinated.

Finn has found another reason to be joyful about rain...making footprints!