Water Play

This week in the Sea Otter room, the children been exploring water play. First we started with just water for a few days. Then we added soap so they can create bubbles in their water. The children realized when they mixed their water, more bubbles formed. After a few more days, we began to add watercolor to make colored water. The children predicted what secondary color was made after combining to primary colors. After each child had a prediction, we tested it out. We created a chart to refer to when we would like to make a certain color. This activity supports cognitive development and language development. 

Welcome To Utopia Preschool

The children were so happy to come to school everyday and couldn't wait to get to work with the materials in their kits. They drew lots of pictures, built structures with legos & magnet tiles, made food to feed their dinosaurs and welcomed our new fish to the classroom. Our ZOOM sessions have really helped prep the children for their first week of school. Thank you to all the families for your cooperation! We couldn't have done it without you!

Blocks and tape!

This morning the children were busy exploring the use of tape with blocks! Some children made ramps, others created structures with blocks and taped them together. We saved their creations and are looking forward to what creative additions are to come!

Table Activities

The children were busy building and creating with a variety of materials at the tables. Some built a “habitat” for dinosaurs while others molded play dough, worked with piped cleaners and painted their clay sculptures.

Edible Jewelry in the Afternoon

Yesterday afternoon, we made jewelry that we could eat! This fine motor activity strengthens the muscles in the hands as the children carefully bead the cereal onto the string. We also talked about what it means for something to be “edible.” Some things are safe to eat and some are not. Afterwards, the children enjoyed their extra cereal as a snack before they went home.

Pets!

The children have been enjoying sharing pictures of their pets at school! They’ve also been busy at the drawing and painting pictures of them. Here are some pictures of our students in action!

Small Group Time

During group time Teacher Cassie introduced  a new music and movement song by Greg and Steve helping them warm up their bodies. It was a fun way to work on improving balance and coordination as well as listen to directions. The children had so much fun, they asked to do it twice.

Shapes

Foam shape stickers are simple, but so much for for the children. They use their fine motor skills to peel the paper off the sticker. This can be difficult for tiny hands. While adding these stickers to their artwork and paper planes, the children reviewed the names of each shape.

Dot Dot, Not a Lot (Of Glue!)

Yesterday, we brought out the colored blue bottles to trace and draw pictures outside. Our rule with glue is “dot, dot, not a lot!” This helps the children remember to use only what they need when squeezing it onto their paper. Squeezing glue helps refine fine motor skills and strengthens the muscles in the hand. It also encourages attention to detail and focus as they follow the lines they’ve created.

SLUGS!!

The recent appearance of slugs outside have been catching the children's attention! This morning the children watched a slug slowly move on the ground and shared their observations with one another. Here's what they noticed: "He's walking!", "I see his mouth!" and "It has eyes!" It's always an exciting experience when the slugs start to make their way into our playground!

 

Fish Friends

Teacher Stephanie and some children were excited to release our new fish friends into the tank. As each one swam out of the bag, we counted and talked about how different they all looked. The children were so excited they started thinking of names to give them.

Sandbox Carwash

In the afternoon, some of the children wanted to create a carwash. We talked about the steps. First step is to dig a deep hole. The children dug all the way to the bottom. Next step is to get water. The children talked about filling their buckets up so it was heavy. Then they poured the water in the hole. They worked together to make sure they poured the water into the hole. Then they added their cars. They described their cars as dirty and sandy before the carwash and clean once it went through the carwash. This activity supports their language skills and helped them learn about cause and effect and  opposites. 

Shape Matching at PE

Today Teacher Sharon set up a shape recognition game in our PE class. The children matched different shape cards to their corresponding giant shapes around the gym. This activity supports shape recognition as well awareness of space as they travel around each other safely.

Valentine’s Day Party

Happy Valentine’s Day!!! Today the children had so much fun celebrating the holiday with their special guest! Everyone was busy eating delicious food, decorating magnets and beading keychains! Our party was definitely a success!

Alma Via

We visited grandmas and grandpas of Alma Via, sang Rise and Shine, Skidamarink, Boomdiada and danced to Run Baby Run. After performing for our friends, the children passed out all their Valentine’s Day cards and gifts they’ve been working on this week.