Busy at Preschool

In one of our four-year-old classes the children were discussing shapes.  As you can see it was "Circle Day."  The project for the morning was to make a caterpillar out of different color circles.  The children could either use a hole punch and brads to attach the circles or they could use staplers.  Both require a different skill and muscle strength.  With the hole punch the child needs to squeeze and with the stapler they need to push all while deciding where to attach the next circle.  Eye-hand coordination is used to line up the two circles and either staple or insert a brad.  With the brad the child then needs to turn both pieces over without losing the brand and use very fine motor skills to seperate the legs of the brad.  The child repeats the process until they have a caterpillar as long as they like.

Children also were attaching pipe cleaners for antennas  and legs with a third option of masking tape.  Stickers and markers were provided to add facial features as desired.

What skills are involved in this project?

• Shape and Color Recognition
• Counting
• Fine Motor Skills
• Eye/Hand Coordination
• Concentration
• Following Multi-Step Directions
• Cooperation and Sharing

The children are working on this project while many other activities are going on in the classroom.  Therefore, they needed to be able to concentrate on the task at hand while not being distracted by the surrounding noise and fun.

All these skills are used in just one project!

Pumpkins, Pumpkins, Pumpkins

 

Fall is finally here with the leaves starting to tumble off the trees and the opportunity to wear jeans and sweaters once again.  Of course in Southern Calfiornia the weather could turn to 90 degrees in a flash of an eye but we are hopeful for traditional fall weather for our pumpkin hunts in the garden at the preschool.

Each classroom will walk to the garden and every child will search for just the right pumpkin to take home.  Many activities can be done around the theme of pumpkins at home and school incorporating all kinds of skills including our five senses, cognitive and social skills.  

 

At school we have been learning how a pumpkin grows and will soon clean out a real pumpkins feeling the slimmy insides, washing the seeds and roasting them for tasting.  We have been cutting, painting and gluing around the theme of pumpkins, reading books about pumpkins and acting out the song of the "Five Little Pumpkins Sitting on a Gate."

 

At home you might try making a pumpkin pie together.  If you aren't up to making one from scratch there is a good and easy recipe on the back of the canned pumpkin found in the grocery store.  Children love to help cook at home and it is a learning moment using math, science, the five senses and provides good old family fun.   Enjoy! 

 

Positive Behavior - Loving Discipline

As children grow up one way they learn about their world is by challenging limits and boundaries.  These limits and boundaries not only provide a sense of order to their world (and ours) it provides a sense of security. We all do better when we know what is expected of us.  Sometimes, it just seems easier to give in and let them have their way.  When we do that we are giving them mixed messages which is confusing and frustrating.

Discipline works best when parents and teachers provide children with a balance of love, respect, clearly defined rules, and understanding.  Here are some secrets of effective discipline:

Make the rules clear

Talk about family rules, explaining the consequences clearly.  For example, for a rule such as "Take care of belongings," you might tell them if they leave their legos out, they don't get to play with them the next day.  As your youngsters learn to read, write down the rules and put them on the refrigerator as a reminder. 

Tip:  Children are more likely to remember the rules if there are a few broad ones, rather than many specific ones.

Be Consistent and firm

You can expect your child to "test" the rules from time to time.  When they do, gently stand your ground and apply the set consequences.  Being firm and consistent lets them know that you mean business and provides a sense of  security instead of uncertainty.  The more you give in the more they will test because it works. 

Give positive feedback

Try to focus more on what your child does right than on what they do wrong.  This will encourage them to try even harder to behave.  Also, always state more of what you want instead of what you don't want.

Example: "Please clean up your legos now" instead of "Don't leave your legos all over the floor."  This is clear and to the point. When you see behavior you would like repeated, let them know.

Example:  "Thanks for putting your dirty clothes in the hamper."