We explored math today in preschool during small groups. We talked about different constellations (or parts of constellations) during group time and viewed them on the smartboard. Then, we tried our hand at creating our own “Number Constellations.” We used our fine motor skills (important for successful writing in the future) and poked holes in black paper to create different numbers. Then we traveled over to the light table to view our creations.
Math is always a little more fun when there is food involved! This time, we used paper plate pumpkin pies (next Tuesday we will be baking the real thing!). Everyone loves add a little whipped cream to make a pie extra delicious. Using some cotton balls and our imaginations, the boys and girls topped their pies according to the number in the middle of the pie. Ms. Lori challenged the children by starting with lower numbers, then switching them out for higher numbers. By the end of this activity, we were all ready for yummy Thanksgiving treats!
The children kept themselves very busy in small groups today with droppers and paint! We put our fine motor skills to the test with pinching the tops and dropping the paint in just the right spot. The children were very focused and worked hard to use a steady hand. Practicing the pinching, letting go, then pinching again, became easier and easier each time. Once this process was established, the boys and girls were able to focus on how much paint they wanted to suck up in the dropper. Water color paint can be runny on paper, but the children got an excellent fine muscle work out with this process.
Teaching preschoolers how to cook is not only a great way to spend time together, but it encourages critical thinking skills, along with developing language, reasoning, reading, math and science skills. Today, we made delicious apple strudel. Before we began, we talked about where apples come from, the different colors of apples, and read a book about the different seasons of an apple tree. Once we had some background knowledge, every child had the opportunity to cut their own pieces of apple with a plastic knife (great fine motor practice!). Following our recipe, all of the children helped to add our ingredients, gave it a good stir, and poured it onto our pastry. The children were able to taste our yummy ingredients, and I think we all agree…apple strudel is an excellent way to eat apples!
A good art project teaches a child that his creativity is limited only by his own imagination.
The children have made a plain brown turkey into a beautiful turkey with lots of feathers!
It takes a lot of small-muscle control in order to rub on the glue and stick on the feathers!!
From the outside, pumpkins come in all different shapes and sizes. On the inside, they are all the same. During our pumpkin exploration today, the children were able to get oooey gooey with the insides and outsides of a pumpkin. We had two different types: a French pumpkin, also known as a Cinderella pumpkin, and a Hubbard Squash. Using their senses, the children encountered the smell, feel, look and even the taste of the pumpkins. Using tools such as spoons to scoop, and magnifying glasses, our little scientists became pumpkin experts! To follow up our activity, the children had the opportunity to describe their findings using pictures and letters. The children enjoyed sharing their thoughts with one another!
The PreK class has been working hard on their big book this past week and a half. They were the authors and illustrators of the book, All About the Farm. They had a chance to read it to the Early 3’s class today after lunch and they did an absolutely wonderful job! Way to go!
Today we practiced the letter “M”!
“M” is for Mouse!
How many mice are in your Barn?
It’s always an exciting day at Tots when Ms. Joanie teaches us music! Today, she introduced the metronome: a device used by musicians that marks time at a selected rate by giving a regular tick. The children used a drum stick to mimic the “tick” that the metronome was giving. These keen ears didn’t miss a beat!
Today, the children got in touch with their creative sides using a cob of corn to roll out some art! Using different textures sparked curiosity and interest. The children had the opportunity to explore the corn a little more in our sensory tub. The corn can be manipulated and plucked off of the cob to follow up this creative art activity. The United States is, by far, the largest corn producer in the world. Here’s to home grown food made in the USA!
Creative Tots has specialized in the private education of both toddlers and preschool age children for over 15 years. We began in the heart of Madeira and now also have a new Mason location. We are specifically designed to focus on early childhood development for children ages 18 months to 5 years.
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