This week we will be celebrating Week of the Young Child. This is a nationally recognized week. Please take time to notice all of the quotes around the school. As I wrote them and hung them on the wall I was inspired by them. I hope you will be too! We will celebrate this by playing games and enjoying the perfect weather!

NAEYC first established the Week of the Young Child in 1971, recognizing that the early childhood years (birth through age 8) lay the foundation for children’s success in school and later life. The Week of the Young Child is a time to plan how we–as citizens of a community, of a state, and of a nation–will better meet the needs of all young children and their families.

~Raquel~

This week we learned baby animals have different names from their parents. We compared sizes and textures. We barked, meowed, peeped and wiggled our noses…just to name a few;) The week ended with a serious egg hunt and picnic! The Butterflies were so excited to gather eggs from around the yard, even our younger friends seemed to know exactly what to do!

Next week is Tweet goes the Bird! We’ll answer questions like.. what makes a bird fly? and why do they have feathers? Plus we’ll have a classroom visitor.. you guessed it, Squwaker will make an appearance in each of the classrooms. I know what your thinking… he’s really more like a crab than a bird, but the children will get to see his wings, beak and claws. This activity will be well supervised. We are looking forward to it! If you have anything to share about birds please do!
Ca Caw Ca Caw
~Raquel~

We are loving the Spring weather! Even the rain days are packed full of fun things to do and learn. Highlights of this week include playing in the mud (chocolate pudding) with gummy worms, and makin yellow play dough! Next weeks theme is Baby Animals. Activities will incorporate names, texture and sounds. For this weeks schedule see classroom teachers.

~Raquel~

Things to do @ home:

http://www.babyminestore.com/infoSpringActivitiesForToddlers.html

Cat stopped by for a quick visit on Friday! Be sure to ask your little one about it ;)

“Marching” onto a new theme! “What’s Up with the Weather?” We’ll investigate wind/storms/tornadoes, what causes them and how we react to them. We will involve role play with props, such as umbrellas and kites, plus use our art and cooking skills. If you have items to share, supporting this theme, please do!

~Raquel~

This week we’re going to celebrate Dr. Seuss’s Birthday (it’s March 2nd). We will focus specifically on Bright and Early Books for Beginners. They’re quick and easy to follow. We will expand on these books incorporating fun learning activities, all age appropriate. Green Eggs n Ham will be served for breakfast and we’ll also have a special visitor on Friday….shhhh…

Then we saw him pick up

All the things that were down.

He picked up the cake,

And the rake, and the gown,

And the milk, and the strings,

And the books, and the dish,

And the fan, and the cup,

And the ship, and the fish.

And he put them away.

Then he said, “That is that.”

And then he was gone

With a tip of his hat.

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

Things to do @ home:

Read a Dr.Seuss book then role play or imitate the actions.

Visit your local bookstore, Bake a birthday cake for Dr. Seuss.

February is Dental Health Awareness Month and we’ll explore teeth and their purpose. Our younger friends will sing songs, talk about color, learn how to brush, and what to bite and what NOT to bite;) While our older friends will learn what a dentist is and does. We will role play dentist and patient. The purpose of this theme is to not only learn about how to keep our teeth healthy but to familiarize the children with the dentist. New words will be introduced as well. ex. molar, cavity, gums, & floss. If you have anything to add to this theme please do!

Things to do @ home:

Tooth collage: cut out pictures of teeth, and halt foods. Talk about the importance of healthy teeth.

Brush teeth together.. set an egg timer for the length of time to brush.

And last but not least sing songs…

Hope you enjoyed your snow day! Thank you parents for all your participation with the Valentine and Chinese New Year Parties. We had a great time learning!

This weeks theme is “Inside Outside.. Upside Down” all about opposites. We will cover several opposites involving science experiments, taste testing, tent building and as always music and art. Opposites are a big part of our world and are important in building language. If you have books or items supporting this theme please share.

Things to do @ home:

Play the Opposite Game when the children on the playground.

Ask them, “Where’s the top of the slide? Where’s the bottom?” “Who is running fast? Who is walking slow?” “What is the tallest object on the playground?” (It might be a tree!) “What is shortest object on the playground? (It might be a blade of grass!)

Read Books about Opposites

Have a great week!

~Raquel~

Gung Hay Fat Choy!

What an exciting week we had! Hope you got a chance to notice all the crafts displayed. We are on to a new theme.. and you know what it is.. “We are so Loved”

Our younger friends will enjoy various activities such as finger painting, and coloring. For the older friends we will involve using the mail, and card making We’ll end the week with a Valentine’s Day party. Please see the sign-up sheets on the classroom doors.You are always welcome to donate items that support the themes. Thanks!

~Raquel~

Ni Hao!
Time to celebrate Chinese New Year, it’s the year of the Tiger.. argrrrr..

The children, will learn a few Chinese words and try different foods. On Friday we’ll parade around the school with our crafts from the week and utilize small motor skills by using bubble pop as fireworks. We will also have a Dim Sum lunch (Asian turkey noodles w/ veggies, and egg rolls). The color of the week is… you guessed, RED.

Homework: read books about tigers, support your local Doc Chey’s, Repeat these:

Ni Hao/(pronounced nee how) You good/hello

Huan ying(pronounced won ying/cheerful meet/ welcome

For more exciting activities to try @ home try this: http://www.nickjr.com/recipes/kai-lans-lettuce-wraps.jhtml?path=/recipes/ni-hao-kai-lan/all-themes/all-ages/index.jhtml

~Raquel~

p.s. Does anyone have a rice cooker I can borrow?