Writing and Reading Practice

When kids are just beginning to learn how to write, it's my personal belief that we shouldn't critique too much. When Layla (3 1/2) wrote her full name for the first time on the top of her painting, we ignored the extra "l" and the extra "i". We didn't mention anything about some of her letters being lowercase and some uppercase. We trust that with time and practice she will figure it out on her own.

As parents and educators, when we comment too much, we can sometimes discourage kids from trying at all. For now, we simply comment on their effort and notice the pride they express in themselves. We try not to give too much praise because we want our preschoolers to be self-motivated. The simple message of, "I see you" without judgement is all they really need from us.

 Saige (3) experiments with letters using our alphabet stamps and ink pads.

We believe that children, especially toddlers and young preschoolers, learn best through self-directed play and exploration.

Myla (3) really wants to learn how to create the letters in her name and she's been asking for help and guidance. We told her that to make an "M" she can go "up the mountain, down the mountain, up the mountain, down the mountain". She asked for help drawing the "y" so we obliged, but she was then able to make the "l" and "a" on her own.

We think it's important to meet kids where they are in their development at this moment. We try hard not to push too much and let them take the lead. Just like all developmental milestones, each child will meet them on their own individual timelines.

They learn from and influence each other. Luka noticed that she and Eleanor have some of the same letters in their names, "L" and "a".

The first word kids usually learn how to "read" is their own name. By using their own names as a starting point, they can learn to read new words and begin to understand that each letter makes a sound that when linked together makes a word.

The kid's love these rhyming books. They think it is so funny to change the sounds of their names by changing just one letter.

They don't even realize that they are learning because they're having so much fun!

The Beetles Learn Their Colors at Circle Time!

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Sleeping Beauty-Music and Movement

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Dance Party!

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Water Play

We have a few new fun additions we added to the yard now that the weather is nice. Water play is back in the senory tables! The kids have fun watering the plants and splashing around in the water. We have new stepping logs in the yard as well, they love taking turns hopping from tree stump to tree stump, even having little tea parties on them :)

Kaya couldn't get enough of hopping around on the logs this morning.

There was so much to do with the water, some used it as "paint" to color the fence and sidewalks.

Eleanor and Finn helped fill up all the watering cans :)

Luka and Finn paint the fence with the help of their water toy.

Layla basking in the sun :)

Lena and Kaya carefully filled measuring cups filled with water.

Myla and Lena share a laugh as they create a funny water game.

Exploring the Yard with Sunshine and Friends

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Mother's Day Gifts

Hunting for Flowers

During Circle Time this morning, we talked about Spring and how we're beginning to see more colorful flowers and plants blooming all around us. We talked about how a flower begins as a seed and where we could find seeds and flowers in nature. We set out on our walk to find colorful flowers, bugs and birds.

We first discovered a big patch of dandelions. Even though dandelions are considered a pesky weed, it's still fun to blow on them and watch the seeds go flying in the wind!

Chase felt the Dandelion and said they were so fuzzy it tickled his hand :)

Kaya liked lifting the Dandelion up towards the sun and said "ooooo!"

Lena got a kick out of blowing on it and watching the seeds go everywhere!

Chase had to give it a try too-Lena was right, it was pretty funny :)

We then came across a batch of pretty purple flowers. Kaya noticed that they smelled good.

Chase and Lena thought the flowers smelled "pretty"

Then we took a minute to sit and drink some water. We listened to all the noises we heard around us. Chase heard a plane, Lena heard a bird singing, and Kaya pointed to a man watering his garden.

We walked past so many gorgeous gardens in the neighborhood, and came across this bush with beautiful pink flowers. They got so excited they wanted to take a closer look!

At the end of our walk Kaya found flowers we haven't seen yet-pretty red tulips. There were only a few-Kaya wished there were more!

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

 Every year this is one of the all time favorite books to do with the felt board.  We let each child pick out felt pieces that they can stick on the felt board while reading the book.

 In the light of the moon a little egg lay on a leaf.

 One Sunday morning the warm sun came up and pop, out of the egg came a tine and very hungry caterpillar.

 He started to look for some food.  On Monday he ate through one apple.  But he was still hungry.

 On Tuesday he ate through two pears, but he was still hungry.

 On Wednesday he ate through three blueberries.

 On Thursday he ate through four strawberries.

 On Friday he ate through five oranges.

 On Saturday he ate through one piece of chocolate cake, one ice cream cone, one pickle, one slice of swiss cheese, one slice of salami, one lollipop, one piece of cherry pie, one sausage, one cupcake, and one slice of watermelon. That night he had a stomachache.

 The next day was Sunday again.  The caterpillar ate through one nice green leaf, and after that he felt much better.

 Now he wasn't hungry any more and he wasn't a little caterpillar any more.  He was a big fat caterpillar.

 He built a small house, called a cocoon, around himself.  He stayed inside for more than two weeks.  Then he nibbled a hole in the cocoon, pushed his way out and..

he became a beautiful butterfly!