Small Wonders, Big Smiles

Dear Parents,

As we close out the last week of the first semester, we are thrilled to share how much fun and growth your little ones have experienced! This week was filled with exciting activities, both indoors and outdoors, giving the children opportunities to explore, create, and play together. 

From engaging art projects and imaginative play inside the classroom to outdoor games and nature exploration, the children embraced every moment with enthusiasm. It has been a joy to see their friendships blossom, their confidence grow, and their smiles brighten each day.

Large group

This week, the Early Pre-K group had an exciting large group session filled with engaging discussions and hands-on learning activities. They began by sharing stories about their weekend, describing how they spent their time with their families and the fun activities they enjoyed. From visits to the park to cooking with parents, everyone had wonderful experiences to share, sparking a lively and interactive conversation.

The group also discussed wild animals and explored the various creatures that live in the jungle. They eagerly named animals like lions, tigers, monkeys, and elephants, showcasing their knowledge of wildlife habitats. This discussion not only expanded their vocabulary but also deepened their understanding of nature.

We also practiced writing rhyming words on the board, an activity that encouraged phonological awareness and creativity. They also learned about geometric shapes by drawing cylinders, developing their fine motor skills and understanding of three-dimensional forms.

One of the highlights of the week was learning about the letter P. The children explored its sound and brainstormed words that begin with P, such as "pizza," "penguin," and "pink." This activity enriched their vocabulary and phonics skills.

The number 16 was another focus for the group. They counted objects together and discovered that they could represent the number 16 by by working in pairs showing ten fingers and six fingers. This hands-on approach to learning numbers reinforced their counting and understanding of place value.

Overall, the Early Pre-K large group time was filled with meaningful learning opportunities, collaboration, and fun, leaving the children excited for the next session!

Math

This week in our early Pre-K math session, we continued exploring the exciting topic of measurement with a special focus on height! Using a meter, we measured each student’s height and marked it on our classroom board alongside their picture. This visual representation sparked curiosity and lively conversations as the children compared their heights with their friends. 

It was a wonderful opportunity for the kids to practice using measurement terms like short, tall, shortest, and tallest. They enjoyed discovering who was taller or shorter and were eager to observe the differences between their heights. This hands-on activity not only strengthened their understanding of measurement concepts but also fostered teamwork and excitement as they explored math in a fun and interactive way!

Library

This week’s library session was a heartwarming journey into the jungle as we read the storybook ‘Gary and Ray’. The story introduced the children to Gary, a lonely gorilla living in the jungle, who observes other animals playing and having fun together. Feeling left out, Gary’s life changes when Ray, a small, kind bird, helps him find friends, create a family, and discover happiness.

The children were captivated by the story’s message of friendship, teamwork, and belonging. It sparked meaningful conversations about how friends can help each other and how everyone has a place in a community. The story also tied beautifully into our ongoing jungle animals topic, allowing the children to connect what they’ve learned about monkeys and other animals with the characters in the book.

Science

This week’s science session was an exciting continuation of our animal topic, with a special focus on jungle animals and their unique characteristics. We began the session by engaging the children in a lively discussion about the animals they already know live in the jungle. Their enthusiasm and curiosity set the stage for an exciting exploration!

Building on their knowledge, we introduced new jungle animals, sharing interesting facts and showing vibrant pictures to help the children visualize these amazing creatures. From lions and tigers to gorillas, zebras, and giraffes, the children were fascinated by the variety of wildlife that calls the jungle home.

In the afternoon, we turned our attention to the sounds these animals make. The children were thrilled to listen to the roars of lions, the growls of tigers, and even the chatter of monkeys. Mimicking the sounds added an extra layer of fun, sparking laughter and lively interactions.

Literacy

In this week’s literacy session, the students immersed themselves in an engaging journaling activity that allowed them to express their ideas, thoughts, and emotions freely. Each child was provided with their personal journal, along with a variety of colorful crayons. 

As the journaling began, the classroom was filled with a quiet hum of concentration and creativity. The children carefully illustrated their favorite moments, incorporating vibrant colors to bring their stories to life. Beyond watching the class exercise their vibrant imaginations, one of our favorite things about journal time is learning more about our students- what they like, are curious about, interested in and more.

Art

In our most recent art session, the children had the opportunity to bring a three-dimensional shape to life by creating and painting their very own cylinders—a shape we’ve recently been learning about.

The process began with each student Learning to carefully roll an A4 sheet of paper into a cylindrical form and securing it with a stapler. This hands-on activity not only reinforced their understanding of the cylinder but also honed their fine motor skills.

Once their cylinders were ready, the children excitedly chose their favorite paint colors to decorate them. They worked with focus and creativity, painting their cylinders and transforming them into vibrant pieces of art.

This session was an engaging combination of art, geometry, and exploration, leaving the children both proud of their creations and excited about what they had learned!

Have a nice Christmas break! We hope you all have a beautiful, restful time with family. For those joining our Christmas break camp, a friendly reminder that the dates for the camp are December 23-January 3!