Tiny Hands, Big Ideas: Toddlers 2 Weeks of Creativity and Curiosity

Hello, dear parents! Welcome back to our blog, where we share the fun, learning, and growth happening in our toddlers’ classroom every day. From creative activities to milestone moments, we’re excited to give you a peek into the wonderful world of your little ones. Thank you for being a part of this joyful journey with us!

As a reminder, next week on Thursday (March 13) and Friday (March 14) the school will be closed for spring break/teachers training.

Large group

Recently, we’ve been starting our large group sessions with the lively "Hello" song, greeting everyone in the group. This cheerful tune set a positive tone for the day and helped us feel connected. After singing, we moved on to a discussion about hygiene, with a special focus on the importance of hand washing. The children learned the proper steps to clean their hands and why it's a crucial step to staying healthy.

Next, we read the popular "Baby Shark" book, which was a fun and engaging way to reinforce key concepts while keeping the children entertained. The catchy song and colorful illustrations kept everyone excited and engaged.

Finally, we wrapped up our session by taking attendance, ensuring that everyone was accounted for and ready to continue learning.

Art: Making a Shark with Bottle Lids

Our art session with the toddlers was both innovative and exhilarating! The theme of this artwork was a shark, and the class creatively decided to make this out of recycled bottle lids. We began by collecting bottle lids from the children and encouraged their families to help gather them. This process was not only a great way to involve everyone but also allowed the children to learn about recycling.

First, we drew the shape of a shark on a canvas, and the toddlers were excited to see the outline. Then, the students were provided with art smocks and were ready to get their hands sticky! They carefully applied glue to the canvas and, one by one, stuck the bottle lids on to form the shark’s body. The little ones were fully engaged and thrilled as they pressed down the lids, creating texture and a 3D effect.

By the time they finished their sharks, the children were amazed at the outcome, and their faces lit up with joy and excitement. It was wonderful to see their creativity shine through as they proudly admired their work!

Literacy: Phone Calls and Communication

In our literacy session with the toddlers, we focused on communication, specifically learning how to call and talk to friends. To make it engaging and fun, we prepared cup phones, where two cups were connected by a string. The children were excited to use the cups as their own "phones" and take turns calling and talking to one another.

As they made their "phone calls," the toddlers were amazed by the sound of their voices traveling through the string. They enthusiastically greeted each other, using phrases like "Hello!" and "How are you?" and even talked about their favorite foods. It was heartwarming to watch them practice social skills like greeting and sharing ideas in such a playful way.

By the end of the session, the children were not only excited about the concept of communication through a phone call but also developing their language skills as they interacted with each other. It was a wonderful experience for them to see how talking to others can be fun and meaningful!

Math: Revising Counting from One to Five

In our math session, we focused on revising counting from one to five. To make the learning process interactive and fun, we prepared different materials for the children to use. One of the activities involved using hand-shaped cutouts and colorful hair bands.

The students were given a hand cutout, and their task was to count and place a hairband on each finger, one at a time. As they carefully counted aloud, "one, two, three, four, five," they placed the hairbands on their fingers, reinforcing their counting skills in a hands-on way.

The children were engaged throughout the activity, eagerly counting each hairband as they placed it on their fingers. This session helped them practice their numbers in a meaningful, tactile way, while also improving their fine motor skills and number recognition. By the end of the session, they were confidently counting from one to five, and it was wonderful to see their progress!

Science: Handwashing and Hygiene

In our most recent science session, we continued our focus on hygiene, this time with an activity centered around handwashing. To make the lesson engaging, we prepared gloves filled with soap and set up a mini bath for the children. The toddlers were excited to participate as they each got a chance to put on art smocks, and use paint or markers to make designs on their gloves, personalizing them before the activity began.

We divided the children into two groups, and once everyone was ready, we played the fun and catchy "Wash Your Hands" song. As the song played, the children eagerly began washing the soap-filled gloves, mimicking the motions of washing their own hands. The activity was not only fun but also a great way for them to learn about the importance of hand hygiene in a hands-on and memorable way.

The children were fully engaged in the activity, laughing and singing along, all while learning an essential lesson about cleanliness and hygiene. By the end of the session, they were not only having fun but also understanding the significance of washing their hands properly to stay clean and healthy.

Football Game

In our toddlers' gymnastics session, we introduced a fun and energetic football game to the class! The children were excited as they took turns kicking the ball, learning about teamwork, and developing their coordination skills. We set up a simple play area with soft, toddler-friendly footballs, making sure it was safe and easy for the little ones to engage.

The children were encouraged to practice kicking the ball to each other, and some even attempted to score goals by kicking it into a small net. It was a great opportunity for them to work on their motor skills, such as balancing, running, and following directions. They were delighted to be active and involved in the game, laughing and cheering each other on.

Throughout the session, the children not only learned basic football skills but also practiced important social skills, like sharing and taking turns. It was a fun and lively session that helped the toddlers build confidence and enjoy movement while learning the importance of teamwork and playing together!

Clay: Creating and Painting Houses

In our clay session, the children were delighted to plan and create their own sculptures! With guidance from the teacher, the toddlers worked with soft clay to shape their designs. Some chose to make animals, while others made houses. The children were fully focused and enjoyed the hands-on process of molding the clay into their desired shapes.

During this session, we revisited a house project from a previous time. The children worked together to paint these clay houses with bright, vibrant colors. It was thrilling for them to see the houses, which they had worked on earlier, transformed into colorful creations. The class had a blast as they carefully added paint to their houses, giving them personal touches and bringing their work to life.

When the children saw their completed houses, they were filled with excitement and pride. It was wonderful to watch their creativity shine and see how much they enjoyed the process of revisiting and completing their projects!