Happy Thursday!

Zoeys ability to move towards a toy is growing and getting better each day. Her reach and stability are helping her to get toys she wants throughout the classroom.

She’s been able to scoot backwards for some time now and today she worked on scooting forward by taking her hands and sliding them so she moves forward!

Children love to listen to stories. Whether it’s a book they’ve heard before or a brand new book, their interest level peaks. Our friends imitate what they are shown. For example, if teachers read with enthusiasm and excitement, they are going to really like the book and the feeling it gave them. Children are going to follow that example and read with excitement! A few of our favorites lately have been choo-choo books (trains) and animal books.

The kitchen has been a place lately where pretend play is at a heightened level. Whether they’re pretending to be dad and mom or brother and sister, their play lasts for some time. It’s a great area to work on counting and colors throughout their play.

Our vocabulary is growing. We’re working on different words that our friends want to know. Through books and conversations throughout the day, children are getting a wide variety of words. It’s crucial that children are hearing different words and are shown the meaning. P.K. enjoyed a book today where at the end, there was a banana. He was asked to point to the banana which showed that he correlated the picture with the word.

It’s wonderful at Wee Wee Friends when children interact in group play. It’s also an important aspect of the day to have alone time to think and relax. Throughout the day, we really work on learning and pronouncing each others names! They love to say hi to their friends when they walk in the door in the morning.

For breakfast, children had rice krispies and oranges. AM snack was string cheese. Lunch consisted of whole wheat bread with tuna, applesauce, and corn. PM snack was animal crackers and raisins.

Have everyone has a terrific evening!

-Mindy

A bit of information regarding tomorrow morning:

• The Sesame Street producers of our local PBS affiliate, WNIT have partnered with PNC Bank to produce several 1-2 minute segments of real kids learning lessons pertaining to money: earning $, saving it, sharing it, spending it, values and making good choices.
• Tomorrow, those producers will be at WF from 8am-12pm producing 5 of these segments with our kids.
• The segments will be aired between Sesame Street “scenes”: EX: When the Elmo scene is finished, they cut away to real kids in a classroom, expressing, through activities, the ideas Elmo was sharing.
• They have given WF 5 scripts with activities and general ideas they want to shoot. Tami has worked closely with one of the producers to express our learning style and to make sure that we can stay true to this during the taping. In other words, making sure the kids are doing what they naturally do within the guidelines that PNC has fleshed out. The five activities are: 1) Build and share at the workbench 2) Dough to Dollars (mudpies and apple pies) 3) How Does Your Garden Grow? 4) E is for Energize and 5) Loan and Loaners (kids on bikes). All of these are subject to change tomorrow-but we hope not!
• After they’ve shot all morning, they will piece together/edit the story that will air. It is our hope that all of our Wee Friends will be represented in the segments, but it’s also something we have no control over. Like the 4 C’s video, a lot of film is shot for a little airtime. They haven’t shared when the episodes will air, but we will let you know immediately!
• In addition to the camera crew/producer, two representatives from PNC will be here working with the kids as they film.
• Wee Friends DO understand that Elmo and Cookie Monster are not coming, but rather, they might get to be on TV.
• For us at WF, it’s a normal day! Please arrive according to your normal morning schedule. We will have breakfast as usual and maintain a predictable WF routine around the requests made by the film crew.
• For the last few days, we have been introducing money concepts to Wee Friends and working with real/pretend coins, songs about $ and the ideas and games around saving and spending.
• THANK YOU to everyone for getting the release forms in so quickly.
• If you have a question that hasn’t been addressed above, please don’t hesitate to ask-we are happy to share any/all info that we have at this point!

Here are a few shots from today’s dress rehearsal .

See you tomorrow.

First, I want to let everyone that I have set up a new way for everyone to connect.   There is a Wee Friends Facebook Page.  I will connect the daily WF blog to the Facebook page as well as other educational, behavioral, and community information as it comes up.  I believe you should be able to “like” us on Facebook by searching for Wee Friends, South Bend IN.  If you have a problem finding us, just let me know!  I hope that Facebook is a better forum to add comments and start discussions. 

Today, our younger Wee Frienders took a trip to Prairie Winds Farm.  For most of this younger group, the farm is a new experience filled with new smells, new sounds, and new textures to feel.  I am so happy to report that it was a great trip! 

We started with two life skills lessons:

1. Your hands need to stay in your car seat.  For this age group, there is a great sense of space ownership that results in verbal conflict!

2. Where the potty facilities are at the farm.

We explored Mr. Wolfe’s big tractor while friends took turns in the potty.

Miss Charlotte proudly toured us through the front vegetable garden, letting the children sample fresh broccoli, kale, sage and green beans.  We saw grasshoppers and butterflies.

We stopped by the turkeys, who loudly gobbled at the children.  Some children gathered in close, while a few stood back about 3 feet and watched with great curiosity.

Miss Charlotte caught a chicken.  For you that have caught chickens before, you know this is a skill.  The children gathered around to pet the chicken.  Charlotte also showed the children the different chicken body parts including the wings, legs, and where the egg comes out.

We also learned about the horses and safety rules around horses.

We went out into the pasture and explored the hen house.  There were 3 chicken sitting, but no eggs at the time we were visiting.

Next, the children used the square for a jungle gym.  I am not sure what they use this equipment for, but it always draws the children!  (It looks just a little like a kid cage.)

We walked through the sunflower house.  Sorry Melinda that I made you pose for this picture

And then on to the prairie.  Miss Charlotte pointed out honeybees and milk beetles as we walked.

On our way back to the weehicle, we stopped in the pines for a quick game of follow the leader.  The branches are low and there are secluded little paths through the pines.  What fun and a great exercise in following directions (another life skill).

Today for breakfast, we had cereal and bananas.  Lunch was chicken salad on whole wheat, corn and applesauce.  WeeSprouts were cucumbers.

Miss Laurie will be posting some Sesame Street filming information is just a bit!

Have a fabulous day!

Tami

Happy Wednesday!

Zoey starts her mornings off with some delicious rice! She is beginning to eat a variety of foods and loves the new experiences throughout the day! Her movement capabilities are growing! She wants to go, go, go now! Between the rocking and trying to climb on different objects, she’s going to be moving about in no time at all!

Marina pounded softly on a musical instrument to make lights sounds. She then increased the volume so she could hear it better.

Clara and Miss Mindy read a book together this morning. Books and story time are a great way for children to get acclimated to their morning and daily routine.

P.K. and Zoey worked with wooden shapes this morning. P.K. took them and built towers in a variety of designs.

Daniel worked in the kitchen for a good part of the morning. He made breakfast for himself along with his friends. He also found a duck in the kitchen! He squeezed it and it made noise which he thought was funny.

Children love to laugh with their friends. It’s a crucial part of the Wee Wee day.

P.K. enjoyed quiet time while sitting under a tree. He examined the leaves and sticks that were on the ground.

Our friends love sitting on the big bikes. They see their older Wee Friends do this and they want to do the same.

P.K. worked on his balance as he walked along the tree logs. He stepped from one log to the other while maintaining his stability.

Marina spent some time in the morning and afternoon with her Wee Friends next door! Once outside, she sat and gathered rocks for her older friends to use for their pretend cooking.

The morning dove has another nest going and our friends observed the mother and father doves this morning. One flew away to get food while the other stayed near the nest. Our friends are very observant when the bird leaves or comes back.

Friends teetered and tottered.

Our beautiful flowers will soon be gone now that fall is right around the corner! We are loving the cooler weather here at Wee Wee Friends.

For breakfast, children had eggs and corn bran. AM snack was corn. Lunch consisted of whole grain rice with chicken, mixed vegetables, and mixed fruit. PM snack was pretzels and string cheese.

Have a great evening!

-Mindy

This morning Finn reminded all of us that today is National Pirate Day. We set out to celebrate.

First, the logs. Many friends used teamwork to roll the logs around the perimeter of the rock island with the intention of building a pirate ship.

Later, these same mates changed course and used the green chairs to set sail. Once the sitting order was established, these mateys did not/would not divert for a moment.

In another part of the yard, Elliott discovered that the mama bird we’ve been tracking has been back in her nest for several days.

In the front of the Wee Ship, Lisa worked with a group of mates on identifying coins. They played a counting game with the gold treasure coins. with real US coinage, They discussed their value and put them in order lowest to highest. They also rolled dice and practiced writing the number of dots they counted. Afterwards, they got crayons and created rubbings of the US coins.

On the galley table we set out bins filled with warm water, blue watercolor, bars of soap kitchen bowl boats and plastic pirates. We spent time washing our pirates and exploring different ways of working with the materials. Mary Collins, WNIT producer, was here to meet and interact with the kids in preparation for Friday’s taping.

The pirates were excited to rediscover our wooden pirate ship.

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It’s been a happy Pirate Day.

Wee Sprouts: WF garden green beans. Breakfast: Scrambled eggs and apple slices. Lunch: Whole grain rice with chicken, mixed veggies and peaches/oranges. Snack: Goldfish and raisins.

Have a great day.

Good Afternoon!

Hope everyone is enjoying the ‘fall like’ temperatures! It’s great to open the windows and get fresh air throughout the house.

Zoey is continuing to strengthen her leg muscles. When she is sitting, she’ll move her legs around so that she can go to the floor on her belly. She loves to laugh and to talk with her friends. When on her belly on all fours, she is rocking at a rapid pace. She ready to go, go go!

This morning, friends worked with neon colored watercolors.

Marina used the blue paint first. She took her paint brush and painted the paper. She then took her finger and ran it through the paint which allowed her finger path through the paint to show. She lifted her finger and said, “Look, my finger! What do you think?”

Clara handed Miss Mindy the bowl when she was done. She used her words by saying, “All done.”

P.K. took his brush and dapped the paint on the paper. He enjoyed studying the paint while it was on the brush. He gently took his finger and brushed it against the paint.

Daniel used fast motions with the paint brush. The paint went all over the paper! He made sure to use the space that was provided to him.

We brush, brush, brush the paper.

Emma had a great time reading books today. She read a variety throughout the day. To relax in the afternoon, she sat and lay down by the pillows to read her books.

Daniel climbed up and down the jungle gym to work on his gross motor skills. He loves jumping once he gets to the top.

Clara used her fine motor skills as she tried to put two train track pieces together. She knew that they fit together so she tried putting them together at many different angles. If the pieces didn’t fit at one angle, she used her trial and error skills and tried to fit the pieces another way.

For breakfast, children had raisin bran and oranges. AM snack was string cheese. Lunch consisted of whole wheat tortillas with melted cheese, banana, and corn. PM snack was vanilla yogurt and banana.

Have a terrific evening!

-Mindy

Good Day…..and

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JANE!!!! Today Jane turns 5!

• On Thursday, 9/20, Tami will be taking the younger WF to the farm. This group includes Eleanor, Elizabeth, Sophia, Elliott, Lea, Marta, Sloane, Jada and Marina.
• This evening at pick up you will see a WNIT video/photo release form taped to your Wee Friend’s cubby. Please sign it and return it no later than this Thursday afternoon. WNIT does need one of these to include your child in the episode they are taping….
• ……on Friday. The long awaited Sesame Street camera crew and producing team will be here Friday morning to tape the first segment.

While our swimmers were swimmin’, the remaining Wee Friends worked hard.

“Said the Wee Friend to the tea-ee-cher…..Do you see what I see?”

Have you ever looked at the world through the eyes of your Wee Friend?

Wee Friends studied the plastic Little People and guessed what their job might be by the clothes they wore.

They played a game in which they had to find something that had the attribute Mel described. (ex: “One and two…..find me something blue!”)

We created a pizza with sauce, pepperoni, sausage, parmesan and string cheeses, and green peppers.

Mel filled the Mystery Box with a variety of items and friends had to use their fingers as eyes, guessing what they picked up in the box.

Quote of the day: Max: “My mom has lots of these!” Mmm-hmm. We love when our friends share family stories.

The Wiggles got us on our feet wigglin’, spinnin’ , hopping on one foot and if you’re happy and you know it get to it…

On a Clear Day You Can See Forever.

Wee Sprouts: WF garden carrots. Breakfast: Corn Squares and peaches. Lunch: Whole wheat tortillas with melted cheese, bananas and corn. Snack: Jane’s Birthday pretzels and applesauce.

Good Day.

Happy Monday!

P.K. started his Monday morning by reading stories with Miss Marty. He loves to cuddle up in teachers laps as he read different stories. It’s a great way for teachers and children to bond and form a special relationship.

Zoey is continuing to grow in the gross motor department. She loves scooting backwards and bouncing up and down when she’s on all fours. She is exhibiting different facial expressions every day. She sure does love to laugh!

One hand in front of the other..

Friends gathered this morning to make train tracks. Once the track was assembled, children went to get trains to put on the track. A few friends broke apart from the group to make their own track! Trying to fit the track pieces together is a great fine motor activity. It really makes children control their hand and finger movements.

Our friends had the cheesiest grins today!

Children took apart of the pretend play that was going on in the small play house. Our friends made different kinds of ice cream and allowed their friends to share!

P.K. and Daniel looked throughout the yard to see if they could find an orange ball. They found one! P.K. pointed and said, “Ball!”

Outside is a special time where Emma continues to work on her walking skills. She loves sitting on tree logs and playing with the sand.

We bounced today!

Our legs sure did get a workout!

Friends made sure to hold onto the red bar so they didn’t fall! Our balancing skills were great!

For breakfast, children had cheerios and banana. AM snack was string cheese. Lunch consisted of whole grain noodles with black beans, potato wedges, and watermelon. PM snack was pretzels and oranges.

Have a great night!

-Mindy

Today Wee Friends welcomed Miss Jennifer and the Blue Bus back to the block!

They worked on the Trapeze bar and the Octagon Barrel. On the bar, they practiced pike and “V” swings. Then they got to swing upside down like bats! On the octagon, they learned a backward walk over. They practiced rockers, too. At the end of class, each friend got steam rolled!

This is Marina’s transition week to the older classroom. Friends were very happy to see her!

When we gathered again in the classroom, some friends continued their gymnastics work.

Others worked with Melinda at the art table exploring “Does it float?”

We spent a lot of our classroom time studying shapes with the pattern blocks and Magna-Tiles. We worked on putting several of one shape together to create another shape. Lisa guided friends in a shape exploration with jewels: friends matched the jewel to it’s likeness in a treasure box (board game).

Wee Sprouts: Carrots. Breakfast: Whole wheat toast with peanut butter and banana slices. Lunch: Whole wheat pasta with red beans, watermelon and roasted potato wedges. Snack: Cheese stix.

On Monday Miss Jennifer will be back with the Blue Bus. Here’s the group breakdown:

9:00-9:30- Ada, Jane, Arleigh, Finn, Nate, Marta and Jada.                                                  9:30-10:00- Elliott, Sophie, Ellie, Marina, Sloane and Lea.

Today we concentrated on sorting like colors, popping peas from the pods, patterning nature’s jewels and identifying alphabet letter stamps.

And smelling the earth’s blossoms.

Wee Sprouts: WF home grown carrots. Breakfast: Cheerios, pear slices and PB on whole wheat tortillas. Lunch: Roast beef and cheddar cheese on whole wheat bread, WF green beans and pear slices. Snack: Whole wheat crackers and watermelon.

Have a great weekend.