Growing Inquisitiveness

May 18, 2016

 

"The birds will eat the seeds?" asked one child as we emptied one seed packet of beets one sunny morning. I said, "Oh we don't want them to eat these seeds. We want these to grow so we can eat them."

Young children are very observant. They ask many questions to better understand the world around them. This morning, Miss Arigo and the toddlers planted onions and beets in our front playground.

We gathered supplies that we needed such as a shovel, a rake, a watering can, and seed packets.

 

 

In the photo above, one child studied the instructions. She flipped the pages over and looked closely at the pictures of the vegetables.

 

 

We discussed the vegetables we were going to grow - beets and onions. We talked about the colour, size, and shape of the seeds. Then, we dug rows in our planters and placed the seeds one by one. This was tricky as their eye-hand coordination is still developing. Sprinkling the seeds might work, too!

 

 

After we have covered the seeds, it was time to water them. One child said, "I water it. My turn please." As she poured the water, she used her other hand to feel the water. "Oh cold water in there," she said and laughed.

 

 

"This seed too, Miss Arigo?" she asked me as she found a clump of dirt in our planter. I told her it was not a seed but a clump of dirt. She then repeated, "A clump of dirt?! Oh I have a clump of dirt right here. Clump of dirt." We talked about it for the next five minutes. She said, "It's cute."

"Children astound me with their inquisitive minds. The world is wide and mysterious to them, and as they piece together the puzzle of life, they ask 'Why?' ceaselessly."
-John Maxwell


by Miss Arigo

Helping Friends

"Life is not about how many breaths you take, but about the moments that take your breath away." Unknown

Children say and do amazing things.  During outdoor play I watched as two children chase each other around the yard.  They were giggling as they caught up to each other.  One of the children fell down on the grassy surface.  The other child took notice that she was not being followed by her friend.  She stopped to look back and noticed the other child had fallen.  She quickly walked back and bent down looking at the child.

She looked at the child and began to say something.  Then she put one hand towards the child and began lifting the child up.  This was a tricky task.  She showed determination as she continued to try to help him up.  The child smiled as she helped him, he also began to pull himself up making it easier for her to lift him up.

The child was intrinsically motivated to help the other child.  Throughout the day we often see children helping each other.  They help comfort the children who are feeling sad, and also bring toys to the child that might make them feel better.  

Miss Sousa

Outdoor Mud Painting

On a very windy Friday morning we brought out some paper, paint brushes and some mud.  The children gather around the brown paper and wait patiently for a paintbrush. 

Each child gets a small container of mud and a paintbrush.  

This child paints in long strokes.

Sitting down to paint can be relaxing.

The children show cooperation as they paint together.

This child proudly smiles as he stacked the paint cups together. 

While the children were painting we listened to all the wonderful sounds.  We heard the birds chirping, the leaves and paper rustling with the wind.  

Miss Sousa

Planting Flowers

April 20, 2016

After our morning snacks, Miss Arigo invited the children to the kitchen to plant some pansies. We used a couple of egg cartons as planters.

 

Two children began by exploring the seed packets. First, they looked at the photo. One said, "Oh flowers!" Then, they shook the packets. They shook them slowly and then quickly. Finally, they smelled the packets.

 

 

We opened the seed packets and looked at the seeds. We talked about how tiny they were. Then, we used our fingers and poked little holes in the soil as you can see in the next photo below.

 

The child in the photo above was very diligent in making room for the seeds. He said, "My turn! Seeds." So I gave him some pansy seeds to plant.

 

One child walked towards her chair and decided to place one seed packet right where her picture was. She laughed. All of the children's chairs have their individual photos to help them find their spot at meal times.

 

 

After planting the seeds, we covered them with more soil and watered them. Within the next few weeks, we will observe as our plants and flowers grow. Then, we will move them outside where they can receive more sunlight and precipitation.

 

 

Through this simple planting activity, the children are learning about science and how nature works. They were able to use all their senses. They also used their past knowledge of flowers when they tried smelling the seed packets! They know that flowers have a certain fragrance to them. They will also learn about responsibility as we take care of our budding pansies in the next couple of weeks.

 

 

Miss Arigo

Practicing Our Fine-Motor Skills

 

One morning I bring markers out for the children. The children are using their hands to hold the markers and draw on the box.

At this stage of their fine motor development, they are using their palmar grasp where they hold and use a marker with their entire hand.

 

 

She tries to pull the lid off the marker.

 

 

 He tries to put the lid back on.

 

 

 

The children are trying to draw pictures in different position using different styles. They are making their pictures using their own creativity.

 

 

 

Ms. Wong

 

 

 

Imaginative Play

 

On April 12, I was observing a child while she goes to the shelf to grab a pair of cardboard cylinders. There are several different sizes. I noticed that she chose a pair which were the same size for her imaginative play.

 

 

I watched as she put each leg through the cardboard cylinder. 

 

 

 

 

She looked up proudly and showed me a big smile! 

 

 

Then, she started standing up and walking while wearing the cardboard cylinders.

She looked at me and said "Yay! Mine!"

 

 

"A resourceful person will always make opportunity fit his or her needs"~Napoleon Hill

 

-Mrs. Javier-

Helping Hands

On March 23, 2016, the children started waking up from nap, one by one. I asked the first child if he wanted to help me clean his cot. He showed me a big smile and answered "Yah!" So I gave him a wet plaid cloth and showed him how to wipe his own cot. Another child came to me saying "Help!" So I gave him a wet plaid cloth as well to use for his own cot.

The children wiped and cleaned their cots together.

 

  

Another child woke up and it is her turn to help. She wiped her cot from bottom to top.

 

One child was watching the others and after asked if she could wipe her cot as well.

The children looked very satisfied not only because they have cleaned their own cots, but also for being helpful and proving that they are capable of completing a chosen task.

"Never help a child with a task at which he feels he can succeed." -Maria Montessori-

 

-Mrs. Javier-