Today the Toddlers read “Mrs. Wishy Washy” during group time. The children like to interact and make washing sounds as the animals get baths! During art, the boys and girls used their fine motor skills to grasp the stampers as well as their hand and eye coordination to place the “mud” on the pigs. We also reviewed the colors pink and brown.
“Oh, lovely mud,” said the pig and he rolled in it!
Today the Toddlers had a blast digging in the sandbox outside! Sand play promotes physical development. Large muscle skills develop as children dig, pour, and scoop sand. Eye-hand coordination and small muscle control improve as children manipulate sand play tools such as shovels and buckets. Sand play also promotes social skills such as sharing and working together. Exploring in the sandbox is considered open ended play which allows the child to use their imagination and play in any direction that they might like. Watch as the children build on these developmental skills!
This week in Early 3s we have been exploring our names.
Everyday during arrival a name recognition activity is on the tables for the students to independently match the letters of their name.
During small groups on Monday, we practiced the letters of our name while strengthening our fine motor muscles. We used toothpicks to poke holes in the letters of our names and create constellations.
Also in small groups on Monday we put together name puzzles with the letters in our name.
On Wednesday we did name rubbings with crayons to discover our name.
We searched for letters in our name and decided which ones belong and which ones do not.
Exposure to names at this age is helpful in any way! Ask your child about the letters in their name.
Today we worked on the handwriting process, name recognition, and how to hold a crayon while rainbow writing in small groups.
The boys and girls look forward to music and movement every day. They love to “shake out their sillies” and “drive in their cars”. Once a week we have the pleasure of having Ms. Joanie and her special guest, Elmo play music with us! Music helps children develop memory skills and language and literacy skills. Music and Movement helps develop listening skills, auditory discrimination, and concentration. Young children use this time to express feelings and emotions while increasing self esteem. Check out the children using their fine motor skills to strum the guitar as they sing along to some of their favorite songs!
The Toddler class was able to spend some time outside today… enjoying the amazing fall weather! The playground is a natural place for physical development as well as for social and emotional development. Young children need challenging playground experiences to develop early self-confidence along with large muscle skills and coordination. The boys and girls are learning to share and take turns… they’re making new friends along the way!
Since we’ve been talking about water, we couldn’t leave out the ocean and all of the creatures that call it home! During group time we read “Mister Seahorse” by Eric Carle. The boys and girls were fascinated by the hidden fish in the pictures. During art center, we reviewed our colors and the boys and girls used their fine motor skills to sponge paint all over the paper. They loved the mess they were making and we loved the product that came out… check out our very own Mr. Seahorse!
The Toddler room explored the theme of water throughout September. The boys and girls enjoyed reading “10 Little Rubber Ducks” by Eric Carle and the “Wide-Mouthed Toad” by Keith Faulkner. Although we were busy working on our masterpieces for the art show we were able to slip in a few water creature crafts too. The children made rubber ducks out of potato stamps using yellow paint. There were lots of giggles as their hands were covered in slimy green paint to make frog feet!
One of our objectives in the Toddler room this month is to go over the concept and vocabulary “in and out”. The boys and girls practice this everyday. Whether it be playing in and out of the play house, putting objects in or out of the sensory table, or going in and out of the classroom… the children are putting the words in to motion each day! Our friends had a great time putting the balls “in” and “out” of the bucket.
There are many benefits to writing on a vertical surface. Vertical surfaces can make an average writing activity into a great activity for developing fine and gross motor skills. Using vertical surfaces strengthens shoulder and arm muscles, as your child’s arm must move against the pull of gravity in this position as she/he lifts their arms to reach. Vertical surfaces also places your child’s hand in the best position to develop wrist strength and stability. You can buy window markers in any craft store and they wash off easily with a little windex….get writing and have fun!
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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