Lets Explore Together

In this blog we will discuss some of the activities we do with our preschoolers to promote learning and exploring. We choose our educational experiences based on the children's interests, and events going on in the world around them. We know that children all learn at a different pace, and not everyone learns in the same way. This is why we try to plan activities that are open-ended and have room for error. For example, this past month the children were interested in Valentines Day and friendship. The activities that were chosen for the children incorporated many of the developmental needs, like letter and number recognition, counting, one-to-one correspondence, fine and gross motor skills, social development, and many more. 

Just having a little fun making Arthur masks

Now to get you more familiar with me. I have been in childcare since 2008. I currently have my CDA and after my engagement would like to go back to school and get my degree in Early Childhood. The day I stepped into a classroom, I knew it was the place I wanted to spend much of my time (that is, until my body just can't do it anymore). I am a silly and easy going person who was often called a daydreamer when growing up. In all reality, I was trying to take in all the information I was given - I struggled for many years because I had trouble paying attention. It wasn't until one teacher gave me a chance to try a hands-on approach, that I started to really enjoy learning. This was a game changer. After this point I was more capable to achieve calmness, because I was able to listen while keeping my brain active and engaged. Throughout the duration of my scholastic career, I continued to use these tools to stay focused and attentive. Having firsthand experience with these challenges has made me more conscious of the needs that other children in my class may have.

This is my assistant-teacher, Ashley. She is my rock and a constant source of support. 

She's going to kill me for this one

When times get tough, she is there to help me keep it together or just make me laugh. We spend everyday trying, and sometimes failing, to create activities that are age-appropriate and challenging. We strive to create a fun and relaxing atmosphere that the kids want to come back to. Our classroom has mostly three-year-old children, but we also have some that are in their early fours, as well as some older two-year-olds. Everyone has their own responsibilities in the classroom and is encouraged to be who they are. While treating others with respect, of course. Most importantly we want them to HAVE FUN!

I hope that you can take something away from the adventures we have, and use the ideas with your children in the classroom and in your home. Just remember, learning is more then worksheets and flash cards.

LEARNING IS MESSY, HANDS ON, AND FUN!