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Unleashing Creativity In Early Pre-K

Zelalem and Marta
4 days ago
4 min read

Dear Parents,

We hope you’ve had a wonderful week! Our Early Pre-K class was buzzing with excitement as the children embraced hands-on learning, creativity, and discovery in different ways. From math, to cooperative games to art projects, every activity was crafted to ignite their imaginations while building essential skills like fine motor control, vocabulary, and problem-solving. Keep reading to relive the highlights of your child’s week!

Large Group

This week’s large group time was a joyful blend of learning and play! We focused on the letter “h” practicing its sound, exploring new “h” words, and even hunting for the letter in words around our classroom.

During morning messages, the class had a blast picking numbers and working together to draw tally marks, strengthening both their counting skills and fine motor coordination.

In math, we dove into the number “9” using finger counting and interactive activities. The students also investigated 3D shapes, like cylinders, and had fun spotting these forms in everyday objects!

Math

In math this week, as part of our exploration of numbers, the children had the opportunity to choose their favorite number from a set of flashcards and then engage in tally counting using colorful pom pom sticks and pencils! The activity began with each child selecting their favorite number from the flashcards ranging from 1 to 10. With eager expressions, they then collected the corresponding number of pom pom sticks or pencils in various hues, each stick representing a tally mark. The children were encouraged to count aloud as they placed the sticks in a row, reinforcing their understanding of number, quantity and sequence.

Not only did this activity reinforce basic counting skills, but it also introduced the children to the concept of tally marks as a visual way of representing numbers. By engaging both their tactile and visual senses, the children were able to deepen their understanding of numbers in a fun and interactive manner. We were thrilled to see how the children’s enthusiasm for math blossomed through this simple yet effective activity. The combination of choosing their favorite numbers, working with colorful pom pom sticks or pencils, and creating tally marks truly made learning math a joyful experience for them.

Cooperative Game

As educators, we are constantly seeking fun and interactive ways to teach children

important skills such as teamwork, communication, and time-telling. One of the popular cooperative games that we have been incorporating into our learning activities is “Mister Wolf, What Time is It?”. This game not only helps children understand the concept of time but also promotes collaboration and decision-making skills.

In this game, children use number flashcards 1-5 to represent a clock. The objective is for the children to move closer to “Mister Wolf” without getting caught. The game starts with one child being designated as "Mister Wolf" and standing at one end of the playing area, facing away from the other children. The rest of the children, holding their number flashcards, stand at the opposite end. The children then take turns asking “Mister Wolf, what time is it?”, to which "Mister Wolf" responds with a time (e.g., “3 o'clock”). The children then take steps corresponding to the number on their flashcards. The catch is that at any point, "Mister Wolf" can reply with “Lunchtime!” and chase the other children back to the starting line. As the game progresses, children work together to strategize and decide when to take risks and when to play it safe. They learn to count and associate numbers with clocks, all while having a great time with their peers. The game not only fosters a sense of excitement and camaraderie but also encourages children to think quickly and make decisions as a team.

Art

Art has the power to ignite imagination and collaboration, especially when it comes to children. This week our enthusiastic children embarked on a creative journey to bring their ideas to life through a collaborative art project - designing a fire truck. What started as a simple idea blossomed into a beautiful masterpiece that reflected the unique perspectives and creativity of each child.

The project began with a discussion among the children about their favorite things - and unanimously, they decided on a fire truck. Excitement filled the room as the children started sharing their ideas on how they envisioned the fire truck to look. From sirens to ladders, wheels to hoses, each child had a different element they wanted to incorporate into the design. To ensure every child’s vision was captured, the teacher suggested creating a draft on a chart paper. As the children gathered around the paper, markers in hand, they began sketching their ideas, blending and adapting each other’s suggestions to create a unified design. Laughter and chatter filled the room as they worked together, brainstorming and problem-solving to bring their collective imagination to life. After collaboration, the final design emerged - a vibrant, colorful fire truck that showcased the

creativity and teamwork of the young artists.

Clay

We are thrilled to share with you the incredible journey our children embarked on during our clay session this week! Each child took part in creating their very own artwork using clay, and the results were simply breathtaking. The clay session began with an introduction to the various tools and techniques that the children would be using. From shaping and molding to carving and painting, the possibilities with clay seemed endless. The excitement was palpable as each child eagerly jumped into the creative process. As the session progressed, it was truly inspiring to witness the unique visions that each child brought to life through their clay creations. Some children chose to sculpt animals, while others opted for abstract forms that seemed to defy gravity.

One of the most heartwarming aspects of the clay session was seeing how each child’s personality shone through in their artwork. From bold and vibrant colors to delicate and intricate details, it was clear that every piece reflected the individuality of its creator. Furthermore, the collaborative nature of the session fostered a sense of unity and teamwork among the children. They eagerly shared ideas, offered assistance, and celebrated each other’s successes. It was truly a joy to witness the camaraderie that

blossomed in the creative environment.