Disclosure: Our program receives free curriculum in exchange for the sharing of our classroom experiences with the curriculum. We continue to have fun across all learning domains with our Ice Castle theme from Experience Preschool with Mother Goose Time. The children think they are just playing! As a busy teacher, I appreciate that the scope and sequence for the year have already been plotted out for me. I can rest assured that we are teaching skills in order and reaching all 35 skills in one school year. See how we had fun with icicle math below! Children practiced their eye-hand coordination skills by inserting pipe cleaners into plastic straws. We pretended we were making icicles. Then, we used unit blocks to "measure" how many blocks long their icicles were. For example, H. said, "My icicle is six blocks long." I observed the children as they explored the materials and could tell by their attention span that they were ready to be introduced to a ruler. I showed the children how to place their icicle next to a ruler and read the number. We used math vocabulary words such as longest, shortest, inches, long, tall. The main skill from our Experience Preschool curriculum for this activity was MR 4, Measurement. At Circle Time, we sang a song from the Teacher Guide and pretended the water from our "roof" (the green tape) was dripping and freezing. A few of my children are naturally drawn to the songs included in our curriculum, as it suits their style of learning very well. Others look forward to their turn in the game. Throughout the game, we counted how long the icicles were and determined which were the longest, shortest, and which ones were the same. Math skills MR 2 Spatial Awareness and MR 4 Measurement were the goals for this game.
If you are ready to see how deep learning can be, I encourage you to explore Experience Preschool with Mother Goose Time. This research-based curriculum works very well in home based programs as well as classroom settings within a school. I appreciate the HOURS I have saved by using an organized curriculum kit. You can read how I used it at home here. Here are some time-saving tips in my classroom, too.
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This post contains affiliate links. I receive a small commission with no extra cost to you. The opinions and recommendations are my own. Did your child get a new tablet recently? I encourage you to check out the apps the tablet came with. Delete the ones you don't feel add value to your child's screen time and add those that align with your family values. Things to consider: 1. Do the apps have external links or pop-up ads? These can lead to dangerous outlets for children. 2. Check to see if the app is Kid Safe Certified. This is an independent organization that has carefully screened apps for parents and caregivers. 2. Is the app appropriate for your child's age or developmental level? It is always great to offer your child a challenge, however those that prove to be too challenging are best to use later. 3. Can you set time limits or goals for your child on the app? 4. Can you view your child's progress?
Check out ABC Mouse In my opinion, this app has all the best components for young children:
Other apps to check out:
I hope you will take a few minutes today and explore your child's tablet a bit more and customize it to your families need. What is your child's favorite app? Please leave in the comments below.
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. 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!
Please see the full disclosure regarding our use of the Experience Preschool Curriculum here.
We introduced a mini bone study during our All About Me unit through Experience Preschool. As the children interacted with the X-Ray art activity, we observed how they reacted to the inspiration photo (several real x-rays) and listened to their interesting discussions. J. shared a story about a relative that did not wear wrist or shin guards while skateboarding and ended up breaking a bone. We felt our bones in our wrist, hand, and face, then glued paper bones on to paper. 35 research-based skills are embedded in the Experience Early Learning curriculum that we use. At least two skills are the main focus of each activity and are listed under the activity title in the Teacher's Guide which is included in our monthly kit. A quick glance is all that is needed to see what we should be focusing on with our students. During these activities, at least 8 skills and subskills were practiced, including Life Science, Scientific Reasoning, Visual Arts, Fine Motor, Vocabulary and Communication. You can read all about the Developmental Continuum of Skills here.
Their interest in bones continued and so we began to think about how we could support their learning even more. I found plastic skeletons at a local store and added them to our science table. Soon, the children were trying to match the plastic bones to the X-rays. They sorted them and examined the bones under the magnifying glasses.
Just when I thought the STEAM concepts in the Experience Preschool Curriculum was already amazing, the curriculum team came back with even better concepts and activities this year. The teacher support provided by this company is incredible! The "brains" activity is just one great example. I provided a wooden bowl for the children to explore. We then talked about how it is hard like our skull bone and that it protects our soft brain. We also talked about why we wear bike helmets or helmets while skiing or participating in other sports. Then the children felt cooked noodles that feel much like our brains do. How cool! Their reactions and commentary were PRICELESS. "Wow. I don't think I like that." "That feels mushy." "It's slimy!"
I hope you enjoyed a snap shot of life in our classroom at St. Mary's. There is always something new to explore and we are never quite sure where we will end up when we let the children's interests lead. We hope we are inspiring a life-long love of learning. See you soon!
If you would like to add some of these great resources to your classroom, be sure to check out Experience Preschool and the links below.
In our monthly curriculum box from Experience Preschool, we receive four Teacher Guides and many helpful references, such as the Weekly Activity Skill Chart. This month's theme is All About Me and I love how they combined the Weekly Lesson Plan and Summary of Skills sheet from last year. It is helpful to see the entire day at a glance and follow across to the skills we will be focusing on. It also highlights the activities we are to assess. All helpful aids for busy teachers!
Above, Mrs. P. is working with two students. Relationships are at the center of what we do at St. Mary Preschool, and so we do not do many activities en mass. We invite children to join us when they are ready and take our time introducing the activity. Our Experience Preschool curriculum provides prompts if we need them, however Mrs. P. has become very skilled in this area (she's a natural, really!) and will ask the children an opening question, ask them to make observations about the inspiration photo such as colors, shapes, lines, subject, etc. She then gently guides them through how they may want to create their project, always allowing for self-expression and creativity. We are not looking for what I call cookie-cut art here. And parents certainly don't want Mrs. P.'s art work. They will treasure their child's work and will definitely know that their child created it.
Experience Preschool has developed a Developmental Continuum of Skills, that have 7 main learning domains, and 35 school-readiness skills within them. The focus for this activity were skills SED 1 Self-Awareness, and CA 3 Visual Arts. If you would like to more about the skills, please click here.
In one of our STREAM stations, we had lighted mirrors and a question prompt along with key vocabulary words. Children were able to get their tool box and create another self-portrait if they desired. Repeat exposure to the same or similar activity is important for preschoolers. Some children are eager to try new activities right away, while others have another plan in mind in the Housekeeping station or Block and Building Station, for example. Our goal is to provide 50 - 60 minutes of uninterrupted play so children can plan and carry out a plan. It not only respects children and their work, we are encouraging the use of higher-level thinking skills.
We hope you enjoyed an inside look at how we use the Invitation to Create activities in our Experience Preschool curriculum. Please contact us if you have questions and be sure to check out our Facebook page for regular postings of life in our classroom.
Puppets may seem "old-school" or for those teachers who are naturally theatrical. I challenge you to reconsider their place in your program. You just may embark on a surprising journey.
Each morning, children quietly wake up Ollie Otter, who lives on the nearby Leland River, and share some of the things they are learning. On this day, our Experience Preschool curriculum suggested we read Head to Toe, by Eric Carle. Ollie asked each child, which animal movement was their favorite. They not only shared, but some were also eager to
demonstrate the movement. Now, I am not one of those naturally theatrical teachers like my friend Caroline. She had a voice and personality for every character in a book and certainly for our puppets. The children were drawn in from the get-go. To my surprise, the children are still curious about each puppet I introduce, and most want to talk to him or her. This is especially true if they can be "the expert" and teach our puppet friend a skill such as how to be a good friend or stay safe during a storm drill.
The Experience Preschool Curriculum has a Character Education series embedded in it. Each month we receive a storybook that illustrates the trait, the children engage in a retelling with their teacher, draw something from the story, and make a stick puppet also. A new character trait is featured each month. I decided to use a book from last year, as it features a River Otter. The focus trait in River Clean-Up is "responsibility" and I used highlighter tape on the word "responsibility" every time it was mentioned in the book. After a few readings, I only had to point to the highlighted word and the children "read" it.
I remembered a popular activity from last year also, and acted that out with the children. On this particular day, when Ollie woke up, he found that his beautiful Leland River was polluted! The children vowed to help him clean it up and that is just what they did!
I hope you feel inspired to use a puppet in your classroom. Enjoy the journey!
Are you looking for items that will make classroom life easier and will comply with COVID-19 requirements? I don't know about you, but I have spent hours in Webinars since March, listening to professionals around the country share ideas about re-opening programs safely. Below, I share my top 5 things to help you reopen Your Preschool or Child Care Center after COVID-19.
NOTE: Check with your local licensing and health department authorities. This post serves as a list of simple items for classroom use. In no way does this post dictate what you should do. Your local authorities will have information about health and safety plans and requirements.
I went through our entire day and thought about all of the times children share materials. I then began to think of what would be feasible in a classroom of 3-5-year-olds. Our art area was beautifully arranged in years past with mason jars that contained groupings of markers and other essentials. (We never broke a jar, by the way!) Looking through the COVID-19 lens, however, I have decided small art caddies from Amazon will work this year. A quick wipe-down at the end of the day will keep a lot of germs at bay!
Our writing area is another area that contains shared materials, all of which are not easily sanitized. I found the perfect clear envelopes that will hold our Handwriting Without Tears crayons and pencils, word cards, and vocabulary words. Again, only a quick wipe-down is needed.
These sports bottle holders are awesome. They fold-up when not in use and we run them through the 3-step washing process at the end of the day with all of the children's water bottles.
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Every child in our class will receive a drawstring bag to use for the year. Small nap time blankets and special items will be stored in them and hung in their locker. The items will go home on Friday for washing.
We go through a lot of dishcloths and rags every day, so this pop-up laundry bag is easy to store in our office, then take home at the end of the day. It also holds pillows, puppets, and other items that need to be washed.
Student lunches will be stored by skill-time group and we will provide children with individual bags of playdough, I am sure I will find other uses as well.
There you have it! My 5 things to help you reopen your preschool classroom or child care center, COVID-19 style. I hope you found this post useful. If you have any questions about our plans for reopening, please email me at [email protected]
If you are looking for the labels I used on the individual student supply caddies, you can find them here:
Looking for outdoor ideas for your preschooler? Here are some easy Summer STEAM Ideas for Preschool.
It takes a bit of ingenuity and fresh ideas to make learning fun at home for a 3-year-old. Things could easily get stale and boring, especially since there are no other children in our home. Thankfully, I have help from Experience Early Learning. The monthly curriculum kit is absolutely beautiful, complete with lesson plans, STEAM Station ideas, the majority of the supplies including books, a puzzle, props and so on.
Above is one of the daily Topic Posters from the Treasure Island Theme. Iris and I had so much fun with Crab Day. Take a peek below at just a few of the things we did. You can see more of Treasure Island in an earlier post here andhere.
In the summer, we eat 2-3 meals outside and, as much as possible, and we take learning outside, too. I am always thinking of how to extend our day outside, and the preschool activities, especially the STEAM Station ideas from Experience Early Learning are perfect!
Above is one of the STEAM Station ideas from the Teacher Guide.
I modified the Crab Paths activity and substituted the connecting blocks we received in an earlier curriculum box. The shells were included in this month's box as one of two the manipulatives that are in every box. Iris and I made paths to her Kinetic Sand tray and "walked" the crabs on the paths. She made up a story about the crabs looking for treasure. I love listening to her experiment with language.
Iris had fun making Shell Prints, also a STEAM Station idea. She engineering a Crab Shaker that she used to dance to Island Calypso music on the included, Dancing on Alphabet Island CD. The awesome thing about the crab shaker? All but the glue, crayons and scissors came in the curriculum kit. I appreciate not having to go to a million stores or digging through my craft supplies. I keep a small caddy with crayons, scissors, tape and glue in our outside basket, ready to go each day.
So, if you are looking for outdoor ideas for your preschooler, I highly suggest you check our Experience Early Learning. You will love the easy Summer STEAM Ideas for Preschoolers.
As we were researching campgrounds for our next family adventure, my husband and I were reminiscing about past trips and how much fun we had. Since we have friends with kids joining us, he asked what kind of activities I was going to pack. So, I thought I would share what are in my opinion, the best toys and games for family camping.
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GLOW IN THE DARK
Any game or activity that involves things that glow in the dark is always a hit!
WATER PLAY We will be right next to a river and pool on our next trip, however we will want to play with water on land, too. Water balloon fight, anyone? GROUP PLAY Here are some of our favorites to play while dinner is cooking or when we are just hanging out at camp. QUIET OR RAINY DAY PLAY It has rained at least once on every.single.trip we have been on over the years. We have learned to embrace it and prepare for it. And sometimes, the kids need a few minutes apart, so these games and activities work well for that, too. I hope you consider adding one or more of these fun games that are sure to make wonderful family memories for years to come. Check the link below for other amazing games your family will love. |
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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