Utopia Preschool

This Tuesday we went on a special walk to the playground down the street from our school. This was our first visit to the Tot Lot this year and the children had a great time! It was so exciting to get to see our local community, while looking out for one another on the way there. At the playground the children had plenty of room to run, slide, climb and spin on the structure. We hope to visit again soon!

Today was the Fun Run! The children raced around the gym, receiving a check mark for every lap they finished! Great job preschoolers! Thank you to the families who helped raise over $7000 for our school.

The sandbox is a popular area to visit in the outdoor classroom. What make look like a simple activity involving some sand and a few shovels, the children are actually working on a number of important academic and social emotional skills.   Sand play is important in building cognitive development skills like prediction, cause and effect, problem solving, and counting. During play, the children answer ask questions like, "How many scoops of sand until I reach the bottom of the sandbox?" or "What will happen if I use a large shovel or a small shovel?" They are able to experiment and test hypotheses as they play. The children learn important social skills like taking turns, sharing space, teamwork and patience. They might ask another child to help them dig a large hole, or to join in making a volcano. They may also learn that it is okay if another child wants space to work on their own. All of these are important skills in learning empathy and social emotional awarenes...

Lunch time is an essential part of our routine. Not only are the children taking time to rest and fill their bellies with food, but they are also working on important life skills.    Important social skills and awareness of others happens at lunch time. The children converse about their day, compare and contrast what is in their lunches, and share their likes and dislikes. They might even show interest in a meal they have never seen before!      The children work on language and communication skills. They learn to take turns in conversation, while asking questions and responding to their peers and teachers. They also learn to ask for help! "Can you help me open this please?"    As the children open up their lunch boxes and any packages they have for the day, they develop fine motor skills. When using spoons, forks and napkins, they are working on independence and how to take care of their bodies.   The children are also learning body awareness and...

This week we turned our gross motor area into an obstacle course! The children are learning coordination, balance, and building muscle control. They also are working on self regulation as they take turns and follow directions around the course.