Good Afternoon!
The market was back open for business this morning as it had as much interest today as it did yesterday! So many spontaneous conversations and learning opportunities happened when the children in our multi-age classroom worked together, buying and selling goods with one another. There was even some bartering happening:
Child 1: “These apples are three dollars.”
Child 2: “How about I give you four dollars for two apples?”
Open play opportunities such as this one are crucial to development for many reasons. Play requires a lot of different dynamics and below, I’ve posted a short article about essential aspects of meaningful play. Majority of this play experience required absolutely no teacher input mainly because children did a fantastic job cooperating with one another and when that wasn’t possible, an older friend immediately stepped in, trying to help their peers solve the problem. We work for years on helping children gain the confidence and wording to help solve their problems when they arise. Our older friends are at that point where they’re jumping in with their younger peers, being the “teacher” in the situation as they help their younger peers navigate social dilemmas.
It has been an amazing thing to watch the last few days!
https://www.naeyc.org/our-work/families/five-essentials-meaningful-play
This morning several kids repurposed a big group water color painting from outside, to make skirts and dresses. A group of older kids carefully attached strips of watercolor painted paper to a waist band. As they worked, they problem solved and shared ideas about how best to put everything together. Our oldest friends were very helpful showing interested younger friends how to make the skirts. It was an imaginative and artistic group project.
Many of our friends enjoyed the rich sensory experience and fine motor practice at the light table this morning as they covered the tree with blue rings.
PREK2: We read the book “The Magnificent Thing” in group today. After the story we make a class list of what we would make if we had the ability to make anything we wanted. We have also had some thoughtful journals made with great care from our younger friends this week!
Breakfast– Toasted oatmeal squares with fresh strawberries.
Lunch– Brown rice with shredded turkey, fresh pineapple/banana, and fresh cucumber/pepper/snap peas.
PM snack– Whole wheat crackers with peanut butter and a mixture of sunflower seeds/pumpkin seeds.
Wee Sprout– Fresh pepper/cucumber/snap peas.
Have a lovely night!
-Wee Friends Teachers
Link to pictures: 2025-05-15