Utopia Preschool

            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.           Before the children were dismissed from group, I told the children what was set up for them at the table. I mentioned that there were 5 tubs available and if the table was full, they can ask a friend to share with them or write their name on the waiting list. By talking about the available spots and offering other options if the table was full, the children are prepared to communicate t...

Today we went on our field trip to the pumpkin patch. We had such an amazing time! We split up into four groups and each group took turns going on the train, hayride, pony ride, and bounce houses. At the end we each got to choose a pumpkin and then we went to enjoy lunch at the picnic tables! Most of us were exhausted and almost falling asleep on the ride back to school. It was a great adventure! Here are a few pictures from today's field trip:  

Finger Paint   As the school year proceeds, the class will do a lot of learning and exploring through sensory activities and art. This year we’ve decided to start with finger paint! This activity gives opportunities for children to practice a variety of skills, such as color and letter recognition, letter formation, exploring with cause and effect (mixing colors and materials), and sharing the space and materials. Children are asked to write their name on the paper before they start painting. This encourages children to become more familiar with the letters in their names and also strengthens their fine motor skills to prepare them for writing more letter and numbers. Some children have also chosen to etch their names with the back of a paintbrush or their finger. This also is a fun activity to practice writing skills. Teachers also guide the children in exploring and problem solving with other classmates. For example, a teacher may point out a child making the color p...