Utopia Preschool

This week in the Sea Turtle Room we are exploring ice and water! This sensory activity promotes problem solving and scientific investigation as the children manipulate the ice using heat, motion, and time. They ask questions like "How come mine isn't melting?" and "How can I get it out faster?" This activity, though individualized, allows the children to give each other feedback and problem solve together. The activity also gives the children the opportunity to recognize letters and numbers, as they remove them from the frozen ice. We are also exploring our own self identities through making self portraits using watercolor paint and markers. The children notice their own skin tones, eye colors, and other physical features which make each of them different and unique. We will continue to explore this subject throughout the year.

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. 

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!

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!

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.