Hello 2/3-1 families!
We can’t believe that we are already half way through the spring semester. March has flown by as we received noticed of our NAEYC visit window, then having our two day NAEYC visit. To prepare for this visit, we added a lot of new and exciting materials to our classroom that the children have enjoyed.
Puzzles
This month our class has been into puzzles! Every now and then we will have puzzle time where each child picks out a puzzle to work on for a couple minutes. This is something that has helped our friends relax their bodies as well as focus for longer periods of time on a task. At first, the teachers would help the friends out when they were struggling, but then we slowly worked on having the friends work together to help each other out. Now when the kids do a puzzle, the other friends will jump in to help. These puzzles range from small board puzzles to large floor puzzles!
Alphabet
Recently, Krysten brought in an alphabet train puzzle for the kids. Since then, the children’s interest to learn letters has sparked! Along with letter recognition, we have included letter sounds. We will connect it to their names, items around the house, animals, etc. Below you will find one of the song that we introduced to them during free play that they now like singing on their own. It is so much fun to hear them come up with their own objects that sound like the letter if their choice. We will continue to work on letter recognition in other fun ways. https://youtu.be/BELlZKpi1Zs
Plants
Another topic that we have been talking about in the room is plants. It first started with the kids making some 3D flower arts. The children worked on their fine motor skills by poking their flowers into the foam cube. From that, we then brought in grass seeds and soil to talk about the planting process and what plants need to grow. Each child was able to plant their own grass in their cups. We have been watering it regularly and are anxiously waiting for sprouts to appear! In addition, we brought white flowers into the classroom that we placed in water that was colored with liquid watercolor. The children made guesses about what might happen to the flowers based on the color in the water and the size of the flowers. We were so surprised to see that green liquid watercolor changed the white flowers blue!!
Block Play
In the recent weeks, the children have really expanded their play in the block area. They are using the blocks to build structures, but also incorporating accessories that we have in the room to their play. Garages and roads have been built often. They have also included simple machines to raise blocks and cars up and down.
Parent Conferences
Our parent conferences will be held on April 11th and 12th. Please make sure to look at the sign up sheets on our door so that you know which teacher you will be meeting with. On the sheet you will also have a chance to sign up for the time slot that works best for you. We are so excited to talk about how your child has been doing this semester!
Potty Training
A lot of our children have been showing signs that they are ready to start potty training. Frequent diapers being dry, children sitting on the potty for extended periods of time, and noticing that their diaper is wet and/or dry are good signs. We have to take the children to the potty no longer than every 2 hours. We change their diaper if they are wet, but if they are dry, we really encourage them to sit on the potty. Often times we’ll say, ‘if we’re dry, we try!’ Below are some resources that might be helpful to encourage potty training for your child to move from diapers and/or pull ups to underwear!
https://www.zerotothree.org/resource/toilet-learning/
https://www.zerotothree.org/resource/potty-training-learning-to-the-use-the-toilet/
https://www.zerotothree.org/resource/all-about-learning-to-use-the-toilet/
Reminders:
- Week of the Young Child will be celebrated April 3-7th at the CDFC. Each day will be a spirit wear day. Monday wear something represents your favorite music, singer, or band. Tuesday wear your pajamas! Wednesday wear your favorite work out clothes. Thursday wear your favorite color. Friday wear NIU colors or your CDFC Center Wide Expectations shirt that you may have ordered!
- Parent Teacher Conferences will be April 11th (Melissa’s primaries) and 12th (Krysten’s primaries) for our classroom. Please keep an eye out for a sign up for your child!
- April 10-14th: Book Fair in the Large Motor Room
- As weather begins to change, please be sure that your child has extra clothes that we can change into, and also boots to prevent muddy shoes.
Happy Spring!
Melissa and Krysten
