Open Choices for Developing Minds
We have times when everyone gathers and works on a similar task or is involved in a specific activity that provide structure, focus, attention, and group interaction. We also have times that are open choices and open ended. Free play is a crucial aspect of our program that allows the children to explore their own interest, explore things in their own way and work out aspects of their world that they are curious about. This may show itself in building a tower and knocking it down repeatedly exploring the fun or the cause and effect of the building and actions. Below are some pictures of the Beetles and Centipedes enjoying some free play.
Having fun being a kid and at the same time being hard at work at figuring out their world.
Creating their own worlds with, scenarios that they play out.
Dressing up and trying on different 'roles.'
Learning negotiating and cooperation skills to manage their play ideas with their friends.
There is also time that they are given choices in a bit more structured setting where we may give several options for activities to encourage exploration in a variety of set areas. Take a peak at the Centipedes Class time to see how some of our emerging minds where hard at work this morning.
Rubber bands and peg boards making their own lines and shapes or choosing the mosaic puzzles to use shapes to create pictures.
Matching opposites... working with a mix of ages and getting to see from their friends how to match the puzzle pieces together.
Exploring magnetic force and how it works with elements - magnetic and non-magnetic while having fun with a friend, sharing their discoveries together.
Sharing space with a friend and working together in creative expression.
Anna Lee's exploring the shape of the Jj on the textured cards from different angles, allowing her to further her tactile understanding of the shape of letters in all directions.
Making Healthy Food Choices
The Centipedes are talking about what we can do to help keep our bodies healthy. During circle time today, the Centipedes looked through our food cards. They helped sort them into two groups, foods that are good for our bodies and foods that we should only have every once in a while. We talked about whether the images on the cards were good food to eat for our bodies and discussed how often we should eat them.
Fruits and veggies are really good for their bodies and they can eat a lot of them.
Jelly beans, cookies, donuts, and cake taste really yummy but we should only eat a little bit every once in a while.
We shared how our bodies gets the nutrients that it needs to help us grow and stay healthy. We need protein that can be found in cheese and chicken along with other sources, like beans and nuts.
We took our conversation out into the world and visited our neighborhood grocery store.
Throughout the store, we talked about whether the food was healthy for our bodies to eat most of the time or if we should eat the food only once in a while.
In the snack aisle they talked about how some food was yummy but not too healthy and whether they should eat it a lot or a little.
They looked the frozen treats section and said that ice cream was yummy but it was a once in a while food but that the frozen fruit bars were better and they could have them more.
They pointed out foods and drinks... they like chocolate milk but they said they should only have a little bit.
We headed down another aisle... they really liked juice but they also said it was a once in a while drink and they should only drink a little bit.
When we came to the soda section they shared how their daddies drink it but some said they don't or they get to once in a while but not all the time.
When asked if water was good for their bodies and they said "yes" and they think they could drink a lot of it all the time.
At the snack bin they shared that they like a lot of the treats, especially the lollipops, but they knew lollipops were a once in a while treat too.
Looking at all the food stirred many of their appetites. We purchased a mix bag of carrots and snap peas to share. Everyone tried some and there was excitement and requests for more, more, more of their healthy snack until they finished the whole bag.
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