To Grow a Garden

If you sow a seed, tend to it, and give it love and attention, it will grow and share it's inner beauty with you.  As we tend to our garden and our little ones watch over them and care for them and see how life begins and grows, we get to watch and see them grow in their understanding of nature and the wonderment of life.  They learn that attention and care and the right environment can help make their garden thrive. They started with something that will feed their bodies and nourish their souls.... Snap peas.

They continued by planting sunflower seeds that they will see grow bigger, from a tiny seed to a huge stalk topped with color and a delightful snack.

 Everyone started their plants off in their own cups that they will tend to and help nourish to later transplant into a garden.

 The Beetles looked at and explored the seeds this morning in circle time and noticed how they are different sizes (peas and sunflowers) and took an up-close look before heading in the yard.

 Chase rolled it in his hand.

 Lena felt how hard it was.

 Eva checked out what it looked like.

 With guidance and help, they experiencd the pride of planting their seeds.

 They learned the steps, hands on.

 They filled their compost-able cups with soil.

 They added their seeds.... but not too many because they needed room to grow.

Each cup is labeled with their name and what they planted.

 We used symbols so they can 'read' the markers too.

Aliza showed off her finished sunflower and snap pea plants.

 

 Layla and Myla took turns using the spoon to scoop up the soil and fill their cups.

 A growing sense of ownership developed as they were trusted to follow the steps and work independently (with supportive supervision).

 The pride on Myla's face blooms as she tends to her plants.

 Bodhi is focused as he works on scooping and planting.

 

Aliza remembered the story of Jack and his beanstalk as she planted her seed.

 Ella helped contribute to her community and planted more sunflowers along our walkway.

 Layla is learning to take care of how she plants her seeds.

Myla sought out the next spot to plant her seeds.  

We are all looking forward to watching how our gardens will grow and bloom over the coming months.

Spring Planting

Besides being an extra-special Monday because our good friend, Reid, was back at Tiny Tribe for a visit, the sun was also shining and it was a perfect day to plant some seeds and plants in our garden.

Each preschooler chose three starter plants that they will eventually take home to plant at their own homes. Most of them planted snap peas and two different kinds of sunflowers: red and yellow.

 In our garden, we also planted zucchini, carrot, and radish seeds. All of the seeds looked a little bit different, many sizes shapes and colors.

 In the garden, we watered the broccoli and cauliflower starts that we planted in the ground last Thursday.

 The kids enjoyed filling the starter pots up with soil. Once they were finished filling their own, they were happy to fill some for the classroom as well.

Our seeds will need sunlight and water every day to grow big and strong.

Easter Egg Hunt

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Sharing a Passover Meal Together

 Passover is a historical holiday, celebrating a time when the Jews fought for freedom from slavery by the Egyptians. A Seder plate is a special plate that is used to celebrate Passover. The Centipedes walked to the store together to collect the supplies we would need for a traditional Seder meal. We needed some parsley, a radish, a bone, an egg, lettuce, and an apple mixture (called charoset).

 Matzoh ball soup is always part of the Seder meal. The preschoolers made some for lunch today.

 We rolled the matzo meal, egg, and oil mixture into balls to add to our chicken soup broth.

 Ella made sixteen matzo balls for our soup.

 It looked, smelled, and tasted delicious. Everyone wanted more. Yum!

This is our finished Seder plate and it's meaning. 

 The Seder is a symbolic meal that celebrates the passage of the Jewish people from a time of slavery to a time of freedom. During the Seder, as special book called the haggadah is read to tell the story of the exodus from Egypt.

Each Item on the Plate has a Symbol:

Maror

Bitter herbs, usually horseradish, represent the bitterness of slavery. Grated horseradish root or jarred horseradish can be used, and is typically eaten on a piece of matzo.

Chazeret

Often only one bitter herb (horseradish) is used on Passover, but there are two places on the seder plate. In the US people typically use romaine lettuce as the second bitter herb.

Charoset

A sweet mixture of roughly chopped apples, walnuts, cinnamon and red wine, charoset represents the mortar that was used to construct the store houses by the Jewish people when they were slaves in ancient Egypt.

Karpas

Here, parsley or another green vegetable symbolizes the coming of spring. In the Ashkenazi tradition it is dipped in salt water, which represents the tears of the Jewish people when they were slaves.

Z’roa

The lamb shank bone is the one part of the Seder plate that is not eaten during the dinner. Instead, it serves as a visual reminder of the special Passover sacrificial lamb offered at the temple in Jerusalem before its destruction.

Beitzah

Often eaten with salt water, hard-boiled eggs are a symbol of life. It is also said to represent the second offerings presented at the temple in Jerusalem, sorrow at its destruction, and the hope that it will be rebuilt.

Dying Easter Eggs- What a Fun Mess!

Here comes Peter Cottontail,

Hopping' down the bunny trail,

Hippity, hoppity,

Easter's on its way.

Bringing' every girl and boy baskets full of Easter joy,

Things to make your Easter bright and gay.

He's got jellybeans for Tommy,

Colored eggs for sister Sue,

There's an orchid for your Mommy

And an Easter bonnet, too.

Oh! here comes Peter Cottontail,

Hopping' down the bunny trail,

Hippity hoppity,

Happy Easter day.

Here comes Peter Cottontail,

Hopping' down the bunny trail,

Look at him stop, and listen to him say:

"Try to do the things you should."

Maybe if you're extra good,

He'll roll lots of Easter eggs your way.

You'll wake up on Easter morning

And you'll know that he was there

When you find those chocolate bunnies

That he's hiding everywhere.

Oh! here comes Peter Cottontail,

Hopping' down the bunny trail,

Hippity hoppity,

Happy Easter day!

The kids had a messy fun time dying Easter eggs this morning. As was evident by their still brightly colored fingers at the end of the day today. 

They were quite proud to show them off, take them home, and share them with their families.

Happy Easter!

Science- Growing Snow

 

Materials Needed:

• "Grow Snow" purchased right across the street at QFC (it's hanging in the cookie aisle)
• Water
• Droppers and cups for water
• Bowls for mixing
• Cups and spoons for adding snow powder
• Creativity

Simply add water to snow powder and it grows to 1000 times it's original size!

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Music and Dramatic Play

Free Play and Dance Party are two very integral parts of our day at Tiny Tribe.
Around the ages of three and four, children begin to rehearse adult roles and use them in their dramatic play. Children observe adults ay school and home and you can see it Incorporated into their play. Imaginary games, like cooking, cleaning, going to work, and taking care of babies are some of the many types of play that allow children to make sense of their world and begin to problem solve together. Make Believe Play promotes emotional development in children because it allows them opportunities to problem solve, communicate with others, work through their fears, and unleash their imaginations.
Dance Party began a few years ago when we noticed that many of the preschoolers were having a hard time calming their bodies down for circle time. It has become one of the children's favorite parts of our morning routine. They love to listen to the different beats and rhythms in the songs and to create their own dance moves. Music plays a very important role in creative development.

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Dandelion Picking- One of Life's Simple Pleasures

Being outdoors is among the deepest, most passionate activities that young children can explore. There sky is vast and ever-changing and the rocks, sticks, soil, and leaves are intriguing. In cities, the light bounces off buildings and creates shadows and reflections that are interesting to notice.

The outdoors has blustery windy days that stir our bodies and our imagination. It has gentle rain that  creates puddles perfect for jumping and splashing.

It has the sun, which warms our bodies and our spirits. It is full of 

creatures that scamper, fly and slither.

The outdoors is always changing and renewing itself. It is ripe for investigating 

and transforming and creating miniature worlds and dramas.

Outdoors children can be boisterous, or quiet and contemplative. They can experience the life cycle, anticipate the changes in the seasons, and observe and care for living things.

They can discover the different ways people live and work and play.

Outdoors children can invent games, learn how to take care of themselves, and watch out for others.

It is a place for spiritual connections and emotional physical release.

Children don't need to be entertained all of the time with fancy toys and electronic gadgets.

Today the kids spent about thirty minutes joyfully picking dandelions. Something most of us see as and annoying weed, the children see as a natural beauty they can collect, feel, smell, and share.

Being in the moment with children is a wonderful learning experience. Everyday I see the world through new eyes and I am reminded to slow down and notice the world around me.

Source: "The Art of Awareness," p. 57-58 by Deb Curtis and Margie carter, Redleaf Press, 2000.