Hello Toddler 1 Families!
We made it to week 16 of the semester and the spring semester is coming to an end. None of us anticipated the center would be closed for as long as it has. Although we’re sad the semester came to what it did, we are so thankful for the use of technology and still being able to communicate with you during this time. We enjoyed all the time we had with you and your families and all the memories that we made this semester!
Picture Challenge
This week we would like to see pictures of the children with something that has wheels. This is a great opportunity to talk about shapes too, and what wheels help us do. We can’t wait to see what you find!
Goop
This activity is a great sensory experience for the children, but be prepared, it’s rather messy! Having the children wear old clothes, or clothes you don’t mind getting dirty would be the best. If you do this inside, cover your surface with a disposable table cloth, put it on a baking sheet, or do the activity outside!
Materials:
- 1.5 cups cornstarch
- 1 cup water
- Food coloring (optional)
Place all of the ingredients in a large bowl and mix together slowly with a fork, spoon, or spatula until all ingredients are combined. Let the children play!!
Through this activity, the children will be able to use their hands and fine motor skills to explore the goop. If they don’t want to touch it with their hands, they can use spoons or forks to scoop the goop. By manipulating the goop, they may find that if they hit or squeeze the goop in their hands, the goop will become a solid. If they move their hands slowly through the goop, the goop will be a liquid. The children will get to explore the difference between a liquid and a solid.
Hard or Soft?
This activity is to help children learn the difference between items that are hard and items that are soft. Since children of this age aren’t able to read, having containers that are hard and soft would be a good tool to help them learn the difference. For instance, you could use a pet bed or a pillow as the soft container, and a box as something that is hard. Below is a list of some materials you can use, but feel free to use what you may have at home.
Materials:
- Stuffed animals
- Rocks
- Silverware
- Clothes
- Feathers
- Hard Container
- Soft Container
Let the children feel the different materials and have discussions about what makes the item hard and what makes an item soft. The children can then place the item in its ‘matching’ container as to whether it is hard or soft.
It’s Not Goodbye, It’s See You Later…
Gene has been at the center since he first started as an infant and his family will be moving this summer. His family will be moving to Kentucky to further his dad’s education in an internship. All of us will miss Gene and his love for building blocks, reading books, and playing with others. We are so thankful for our time with him and his family and wish them all the best in their future!
We are also very sad that this is Tena’s last semester as a Graduate Assistant at the CDFC. She is finishing up graduate school, while also focusing on her clients as a Developmental Therapist. Tena has been a great addition to our program and we have loved working with her. She has had the pleasure of being a teacher with this particular group of children since their very first days at the center—they love her so much! Since this is her last semester, she is hoping that you will allow her to have pictures of your children. Please email her at tcallahan1@niu.edu if you give her permission to keep any pictures of your child we may have, or if you would like to email her special pictures from home. We wish her the best in her future endeavors as she finishes up graduate school and moves on in her career!
Gene and Tena, if you’re ever able to visit, please come back and see us. You both hold a special place in our hearts. There will be many familiar faces excited to see you and open arms ready to give you a hug!
We miss you all so much and hope you are doing well. As always, if there is any way we can help you, please don’t hesitate to ask. We hope to see you soon!!
Take care,
Krysten, Ecila, Eisa, and Tena
