Good Afternoon!
Block play offers extensive learning opportunities throughout our day. Here are a couple of examples from today:
Jackson constructed a train using wooden blocks. Using trial and error skills, he connected the separate tracks to make one big track. When he was done, he tested his track by running the trains throughout the entirety of the track. A few friends joined him which turned into not only a hands on activity but a verbal one as well.
He and Tate used their communication skills to work together to finish the track. After the track was finished, that’s when imagination comes into play a little bit more. Now..where can the train travel to?!
In the habitrail area, Max turned the blocks into an experiment center, testing out angles. He and a few friends used the two long, plastic blocks to increase or decrease the angle at which the blocks lay.
When the blocks were in order, they used different sized cars to observe as the cars travelled down the ramp. They noticed that some cars travelled faster on the ramp that was at a greater incline.
When a ‘simple’ structure like this is built, it is set up for a fabulous science experiment. We used language such as incline, ramp, and speed and used these words to describe what we were seeing.
Block play ISN’T just block play.
An article about what we learn through block play: http://www.naeyc.org/files/tyc/file/Block%20Off%20Time.pdf
In other parts of the house, the art table was open for children to explore as well interacting with puzzles either at the circle table or at the island.
David was interested in animals today in the habitrail area so we transferred that interest through puzzles! We named every animal and even watched a few videos on the internet, gaining interest on a couple of his favorite animals. He didn’t believe me when I said that gorilla’s pound their chest (I demonstrated). So, we pulled up a video of a gorilla banging his chest!
Journaling is an adventure and is different every day. Friends sat at the table, thinking about what they were going to journal about. After a thought comes to mind, it’s marker to paper time!
During this time, we’re working on expressing ourselves on paper as well as language development. For example, hearing consonant and vowel sounds when we spell out words. For most, consonant sounds tend to come first before hearing most vowel sounds. It’s critical to follow each child’s lead and know where each child is developmentally; because after all, each child is different and has many different things to offer!
Breakfast– Brown Rice Crisp cereal and clementines.
Lunch– Organic, brown rice with shredded cheese and chicken, apples, and cauliflower.
PM snack– Bagels with cream cheese.
Wee Sprout– Cauliflower.
Have a lovely night. Stay warm!
-Mindy
Link to pictures: WF 12/15
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