Another month has passed and we have explored so much! This month we did a lot of art through sensory experiences, talk about the changes of the seasons, and different teacher directed activities to work on different concepts.
Art in the classroom
This month we have done group and individual art. We have utilized a wide variety of materials to work on the children’s muscles in their arms and hands as well as offering a sensory experience. One big project we did was tape art. This activity allowed the children an opportunity to work on turn taking while waiting for their turn to rip the tape off the roll. The resistance of the tape also gave them an opportunity to work out the muscles in their hands and fore arms as they pulled it off the roll. We also did stickers together as a group. We modeled how to grab them with their thumb and index finger and encouraged them to try on their own. The children really enjoyed them and we did this multiple times together.
In addition to group projects, we also offered a variety of individual art experiences. We focused on offering materials that would help the children with their hand and finger placements with writing utensils. We allowed the children to handle these materials with both hands to give them the opportunity to see which hand would be dominant.
Changing of the seasons
During our time outside we have had a lot of conversations about the changes that are occurring. We talked about the leaves changing colors and falling to the ground. The children have also been interested in animals that we see outside. We’ve pointed out geese as they fly above us and have frequently gone searching for different insects on the playground. We have continued these conversations in the classroom by bringing in books for group time that include these animals or leaves changing colors and falling from the trees.
Teacher directed activities
To extend on the children’s abilities to problem solve, we have offered different activities to work through things. One small group we did was categorizing by colors. The children were given different colored vehicles and asked to find the matching color bowl to put it in. When the children hesitated or placed it in the wrong bin, the teachers encouraged them to try again and helped them place the vehicle next to the colored bowls to see which one was the same. We also offered two bowls instead of four when extra help was needed.
We’ve also done quite a lot of activities to focus on language. For one group time, we used a mystery box to encourage the children to identify familiar farm animals. The children have pretty much mastered the sounds the animals make. When they would name the sounds when instead of identifying the animals, the teachers would reinforce that those are the correct sounds and name the animals for them. In addition to identifying animals, we have also brought in letter magnets to start that conversation as well. We focus on the letters in their name and the sounds they make. We also do this outside, when we are playing with chalk.
