Two Weeks of Growth and Joy in the Toddlers Class!

Dear parents, we hope this blog finds you well. It has been a wonderful two weeks

in the toddlers class, full of academic endeavors, engaging activities and so much

more. We hope you enjoy perusing the highlights.

Large Group

Our large group activities as of late have been simply delightful! To begin, we stuck square-shaped pictures around the classroom and discussed different shapes like triangles, circles, and squares. We also sang the 'Hello' song, and during attendance, the children had the chance to stick their own picture on the board, which they were all excited and proud to do. Afterward, we read a book called “I Have Manners”, which the class found interesting. This book brought various purposes- it was both entertaining and also helped the class engage with the concept of manners in a lighthearted way.

Gymnastics

In our gymnastics class, we began with some fun warm-up activities to get our bodies moving and ready for more challenging exercises. Afterward, with the guidance and support of our teacher, the children had the opportunity to practice rolling, focusing on technique and balance. The teacher demonstrated how to roll safely, ensuring that everyone felt comfortable and confident. As the session progressed, the children practiced different types of rolls, building strength and coordination while having fun. We are so proud of our class of gymnasts and can’t wait to see their skills and confidence continue to develop.

Literacy

Our literacy activity was both exciting and engaging for the children. We began by explaining the task: filling a cup with water using sponges. The children were thrilled and eager to participate. We gathered around a table, standing in a circle, with art smocks on to protect their clothes. The teacher introduced the activity, demonstrating how to use the sponges and explaining the goal of filling the cup with water from a bath. The children then took turns picking up sponges, soaking them in the bath, and carefully squeezing the water into their cups.

This activity was not only fun but also helped the children develop their fine motor skills, improve their focus, and enhance their eye-hand coordination. It also provided valuable opportunities for the teachers to observe the children's development, allowing them to create more tailored activities to support each child's growth.

Art

Our most recent art activity focused on shapes, specifically the square (which we also explored during our large group time). We provided the children with white square-shaped pieces of paper and crayons for them to scribble with. To make the activity even more enjoyable, we played songs through the speaker, which helped keep the children happy and engaged as they sang along and scribbled on their papers. Afterward, we gave them another sheet of paper to stick their square shapes onto. The children applied glue to the back of their square paper and carefully stuck it onto the new paper. We also asked them, 'What shape is this?' to encourage them to think about and identify the square, reinforcing their understanding of shapes.

Science

Our science session focused on exploring shaving cream. We took the children outside the classroom, put on art smocks to protect their clothes, and explained the activity. One by one, we called their names to start. We placed shaving cream in a tray and mixed it with food coloring to create a colorful, sensory experience.

The children were thrilled and fully engaged as they explored the shaving cream and watched the vibrant colors mix and spread. It was amazing to see their excitement as they interacted with the colorful shaving cream, sparking curiosity and joy in the process. Activities like this are crucial for familiarizing children with the scientific method of hypothesizing, observing and evaluating. It’s truly a wonder to see how focused and inquisitive our little learners are!

Math

Our math activity focused on sorting materials based on shapes, to reinforce what we’ve been doing in large group and art sessions. We provided the children with a variety of materials in different shapes and asked them to sort out the square-shaped items. On the floor, we had a square shape outline where they could place the materials. The children did an amazing job, and we were so proud of their efforts. Ivana even traced the square shape, showing great attention to detail! As they worked, the children not only sorted the items by shape but also named the colors of the materials, reinforcing both their shape and color recognition skills. It was a wonderful learning experience that demonstrated their growing understanding of mathematical concepts.

Library

Our library session was amazing, with the children showing great focus and engagement as they read together with their friends. To start, the teacher read a book to the children, capturing their attention and setting the tone for the activity. Afterward, the children had the opportunity to choose and read books on their own. They enjoyed picking out their favorite stories, and then they selected books to take home, excited to continue their reading at home. It was a wonderful session that encouraged a love for reading and sharing books with friends.