Utopia Preschool

In the next few weeks we will be learning about our homes, our local neighborhoods, and where we live! This week we asked the children to draw a picture of their home. Some of them chose to draw the outside, while others described the inside of their home. We eventually will use these drawings to make 3D structures of the children's homes using boxes and other recycled materials. This project shows let's us view the world from their perspective, what is important to them, and their current understanding of their communities. We also want to encourage writing and cognitive development skills as they figure out what shapes they must use to draw their home. 

Our neighbors at the SF Golf Course are trimming the trees by our outside space! While they take care of this, we have been spending our "outdoor" time in Carol Hall with lots of space to run, play, draw, and socialize with friends. We're lucky to have other options when outside isn't available.  This week we also celebrated Valentine's Day! We asked the children to respond to a prompt "How do you show love to someone?" and to make Valentine cards for the people (and animals) we love in our life!  Caden makes a Valentine for Mazin, his dog. "I love Mazin's fur on the top of his head! I like to play with him! I love his tail, it's so furry." Arden makes a Valentine for her new puppy, Danny! "Danny, you are so silly in the morning time. She jumps on us! I love to play with her. I love to brush her with a doggy brush." Kara, Mia, Jaeda, and Amet work on their journals for the week:  How do you show someone you love them? Kara: Yo...

This week we got ready for the Lunar New Year holiday this weekend by reading stories about the Chinese Zodiac, as well as books describing how different cultures celebrate around the world! The children made red lanterns and dragon puppets to welcome in the Year of the Dragon. Through these art activities, the children followed step by step instructions, cutting and taping skills (fine motor), and focus and attention to a task.  Apollo shows off his completed dragon puppet!  Mia colors her dragon's tail using crayons Asher uses glue to stick on his dragon's head, tail, and feet!  Hunter carefully paints his red lantern Arden, Madeline, and Luna Bella working on lanterns Liam writes his name on for the top of his lantern Travis uses red and gold paint on his lantern Caden carefully cuts the middle of his lantern, while Emily shows Jaeda how to make her cuts a little longer.  Donovan adds feet to his dragon!  Sherleen Kate practices her scissors skills  Arde...