Baking Soda & Vinegar
On-going Activity Started October 2014
In this activity, the
children were given a tub with a tall cylinder labeled by inches, one small
bottle of colored vinegar, and a pipette. Extra materials provided around the
table were multiple glasses filled with baking soda, spoons, extra pipettes, and
extra small bottles of baking soda.
Citations:
Curtis and Carter, Deb and Maggie. Learning Together with Young Children(2008): Pg 60 and 69.Print.
--Stephanie V.
Experimenting with Ramps
October 20-24,2014
This week in the block area the children started to explore ramps using blocks, Magna-tiles, and cardboard boxes. They added cars, trains, and balls to slide down the ramps. Through this play they learned angles that would result in faster and slower speeds. They practiced problem-solving skills to find the right angles and choose objects that would slide down the ramps.
The children worked individually as well as together to create the ramps and introduce different objects to add to their play. Once they became more interested, they examined pictures of various types of ramps and talked about why we use them. We are continuing to explore ramps and share ideas as a group to learn more.
Citations
Stroud, Judith. "Block Play: Building a Foundation for Literacy." Early Childhood Education Journal 23.1 (1995): Pp. 9-13. Print.
--Nicole P.
Playdough Making and Play
October 14, 2014
On October
14th, some children participated in the playdough making
invitational activity. Each child was apart of the process of making the
playdough. Each child waited their turn to add the playdough ingredients
together. They practiced pouring while using measuring cups and measuring
spoons. Then all children had the chance to stir the ingredients together. When
it was time to cook the playdough, we took our activity to the kitchen where
each child saw the cause and effect of how the heat on the stove changed the
liquid like mixture to a more solid substance. After the playdough cooled the
children were able to add in glitter to the playdough and then they were able
to play with playdough by using props, cookie cutters, tools, etc.; to enhance
the learning experiences that go along with playdough play. This activity
supports a lot of early childhood development such as: sensory play,
fine-motor, math, social emotional, and language skills. Playdough play helps
build strong muscles in the hands that can later support a child holding a
pencil to write. While making the playdough children practiced taking turns and
listening and communicating to each other about what they observed was
happening to all the ingredients. They also practiced certain math skills of
measuring and counting when they stirred and counted the amount of times they
stirred before letting another peer have their turn. And finally this activity
is fun and imaginative as children are able to create and enjoy the texture,
look, and smell of the playdough we created.
My intention for this activity was to expand upon a child’s knowledge of cooking by following a recipe (set of steps), i.e. cause and effect and to support the development of children’s fine-motor and hand dexterity.
Citations:
www.naeyc.org
--Brittany K.