As much as I appreciate classic lullabies and nursery rhymes, I find it is mentally stimulating for the children (and myself) to have a new genre of music each month that ties into our Experience Preschool curriculum. Some children learn best through music and movement, and hearing concepts through music, cements the learning process even more. Recently, we studied Weather and Seasons. Songs like "Leaves Fall Down" and "Tornado" were fast favorites. Right before Opening Circle, I have the children take a water break to hydrate their brains. Then I play the Warm-Up and 2 or 3 songs from the DVD. Oxygen goes to the brain during exercise, and the timing of this is crucial. Once done exercising, we learn or review key concepts. Studies have shown that children are much more likely to retain knowledge if their brain is freshly oxygenated. Here, the children are moving to the song, "Clouds." I can choose to play the music CD only, which is the same music on the DVD. As promised in the title, let's get to 5 skills learned through music and movement: 1. Self-Regulation It isn't natural for preschool-age children to stay within their own personal space and not infringe on someone else's. This skill takes time and practice. A physical fitness curriculum such as the one by Experience Preschool, helps provide that practice. Dance and organized sports also help with learning how to follow directions, which falls under self-regulation. Stopping and starting together as a group is yet another way to practice the important skill of self-regulation. 2. Vocabulary The curriculum that we use is very intentional as to how it weaves important concepts together in a way that makes sense to young learners. The use of vocabulary is an example of this intentionality. In October, we learned weather and seasonal words through art projects where a teacher is mindful of the vocabulary words she is using as she engages the children. We then move and sing to music that contains the same vocabulary. At a STEAM station, you will find items labeled with the same vocabulary words. The children count weather and seasonal items and learn to read related sight words. 3. Creativity The children made tornado ribbon wands during a Make and Play experience. They were then able to play with them in the classroom and during our dance time as well. Children learn that you can move your body in ways they may not have thought of before, and a prop makes it even more fun! 4. Balance Hopping on one foot and holding a pose are examples of how a child learns to balance their body. Balance is also a form of spatial awareness, which leads to better reading and math skills. 5. Coordination Experience Preschool has a Gross (large) Motor skill that sums this up: Physical Development Gross Motor, PD 1, Preschool Benchmark: "Balances and hops on one foot. Throws both overhand and underhand. Catches or kicks moving objects." Learning how to coordinate the body wires the brain for future learning. (I have many articles I could share on this subject as I am a bit of a brain/development nerd!) Well, I hope you learned a few new things about the importance of physical fitness in young children and its connection to learning other skills.
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The STEAM station materials that arrive in our monthly curriculum subscription from Experience Preschool are so helpful and come with labels, inspiration photos, "big questions" and relate directly to the monthly/weekly/daily/theme or topic. I find them to be another way to deepen the children's learning of the topic being discussed and as a way to reach all types of learners. The children have come to expect something new and exciting to be set up each day. As a busy director and teacher, I appreciate all of the resources this curriculum provides. During our Weather and Seasons theme, we explored the inside of gourds. Whenever I place a new item or activity out, I have our class meet as a group to discuss it, physically manipulate it, and identify proper use of the materials. There are 35 skills embedded in the curriculum, and the focus skills, are outlined in the Teacher's Guide. I keep the focus skills in mind as I present the activity. For example, the "Big Question" was "Where do seeds come from?" {Focus skill: SCI 2 Natural and Earth Science, Benchmark 4 (Preschool): Demonstrates an understanding that all people have needs. Identifies if an object can grow, eat, or move. Identifies the climate and weather in the immediate environment.} In our discussion, C. was able to identify the gourd/squash as an Acorn Squash, and she shared her knowledge of growing them with her mom. She shared how they planted the seeds, how they cared for them, and so on. We love this sort of interaction! We all learn from rich, experience-based discussions. I invited the children to touch the inside of the squash and feel the flesh and seeds. Some children were eager to touch it and used great descriptive words such as soft, slimy, cold, hard, squishy, wet. Others were not sure, and so they were encouraged to perhaps explore it on their own at the table later. Vocabulary words: gourd, summer, flesh, skin, pulp, seeds, tweezers, counting, hard, soft, sun, water, soil. Once the introduction was over, I placed the gourd on the discovery table along with tweezers, a plate, a Counting Seeds chart, and labels. I told the children they could use the tweezers to remove the seeds. Young children need practice using their small muscles and this activity provides that in a meaningful way. {Focus Skill: Physical Development 2, Fine Motor (Benchmark 4 Preschool): Manipulates objects with hands doing different things. Snips with scissors. Begins to string large beads.} Included in this week's materials: items to complete 4 lesson plans each day in addition to a STEAM kit: 5 Big Questions signs, 7 inspiration photos, links to videos, 14 supply labels, and teacher tips to set-up five inquiry-based STEAM stations for children ages 3-9. I hope you enjoyed exploring gourds and seeds with us! |
AuthorSheila Anderson has over 25 years experience in the Early Childhood Field and still loves going to "school" everyday. Archives
January 2022
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