Today WWFs worked on sorting buttons by attributes (colors and shapes). Using their individual rugs to define their space and to help them work without being interrupted, children lined up their buttons in rows according to the attribute they chose. They also counted them.

Some children chose to work with playdough and practice making candles (work that we started departing from our reading aloud “Birthday Zoo”) and singing happy birthday. We have also linked our playdough time to “Patty Cake” making little buns and patting and pricking as we chant this rhyme. Finn has specially enjoyed making the playdough look like mud and getting animals and trains stuck in it.

This week we have added bubbles and color to our water play. Children have especially enjoyed this, feeling excited and curious. We have also added opportunities for them to learn to squeeze water off of cloth rugs. This a sophisticated skill to learn for 2 year olds and they specially enjoy it. We have broken this activity into the following steps:

Our WWFs finally seem to be old enough for larger group story times to become part of our daily routine. Before this, reading had been done mostly to 1-3 children with a teachuer. We are using individual rugs to help them with identifying their own sitting space and learning to listen to the story without interrupting or distracting their friends.

We can also officially say that for most of our WWF sippy cups are a thing from the past. And they are VERY proud! (all that pouring work is paying off :)).

Melinda began our day with a musical lesson using kazoos! The kids were excited to play the kazoos as Melinda created different rhythms and played a medley of songs with various tempos. At one point, one of the older kids began marching while playing his kazoo-all the children followed suit! F.3.1 Follow along and imitate patterns of sounds and movement. F.3.2 Reproduce patterns of sounds and movement.

A small groups of friends spent time at the art table studying the plastic milk jugs Jane brought in (thank you Matt!) and discussing what to make with them. They decided they would make pirate milk mugs and used markers to individualize them. From there, they cheered each other taking big gulps! They also painted the salt dough creations from last week. Some of our toddlers created paper plate art.  F.2.7 Show individuality by actions such as drawing a pumpkin that differs in color and design from the traditional.

A few friends spent time in the Science Center experimenting with the magnetic ball and rods making discoveries: How tall can I build it? How many pieces do I have? Which pieces will stick together? Will it stand up by itself? What can I use it for?  F.2.1 Participate in activities related to number sequencing and counting.

Take a look at our sensory table when you come in! Tami switched out the rice ocean for a treasure chest, gold coins and sand. We moved the wooden pirate ship to the truck room where it will live with our other trio pirate ships! She also added a fish net to our ship environment in Hopscotch. Don’t forget to find your child’s pirate symbol that they sewed on the WF flag now mounted in Hopscotch! F.2.15 Enjoy repetition of materials and activities to further explore, manipulate, and exercise the imagination.

 Enjoy the rest of this beautiful day!

This week WF and WWF have began working on phase one of our garden work. On Tuesday “wee wees” and “wees” planted their first two trays of cherry tomatoes.

WWFs worked on transferring potting soil to the flats, leaving them ready

for WFs to put seeds in. Yesterday, three children worked on preparing pellets for seed planting pouring warm water on them and observing how they puffed up (to their surprise!).

All the seedlings we get started are being kept at the Greenhouses on Mishawaka Ave. They have kindly allowed us to keep our trays in their facilities ensuring proper light and temperature for our seedlings.

Special thanks to Amy for all of her help with this project!!! And to allparents who have donated materials!

We will continue to plant throughout the

following weeks, stay tuned for more gardening news!

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WOW!  We had an action-packed week at Wee Wee!  We did some sponge painting with circles.  We used several spring colors and they looked beautiful!  We counted each circle as we painted, and learned some colors along the way.  Who ever knew learning math could be so much fun?!

Outside play was spent as firefighters!  We wore firefighter hats and costumes, and put out fires in our new play house out back.  Engine 59 and crew were sure busy responding to their calls of using their imaginations and creativity along the way!  Some of our wee wees have taken upon mastering the art of riding tricycles, working hard almost everyday at figuring out how use their little feet to push the pedals.

We played with our indoor sand and oatmeal tubs and used our wooden hammers to pound golf tees into some styrofoam.

Curious?  Curious George that is!!  What a fun matching game of shapes, colors, and learning our zoo animals.  This kept us busy for quite some time.

As  Finn counted down the days for the grand opening of the zoo, we have been reading “Birthday at the Zoo” and acting our own zoo birthday party with our stuffed animals. As we play birthday party we talk about what do we need for the party and set up our table with the necessary elements. We count candles and talk about growing “GETTING OLDER” 🙂 We also sang Happy Birthday in English and Spanish!

Wake up earth, hello spring!  We are so glad to be able to spend more time outside!

Thank you for the wonderful gift of your child!