What are loose parts? Loose Part Examples Natural Synthetic/Person Made Seeds, pinecones, needles, bark, wood Boxes, paper towel & toilet rolls newspapers, magazines Rocks, pebbles, stones Paper towel and toilet paper tubes Sand, dirt, mud Blocks, legos, manipulatives Sticks, branches, leaves Buttons, spools, beads, popsicle sticks, straws Flowers, grasses Paints, brushes, Feathers, shells, driftwood measuring […]
I can do it myself. Even if children can’t say it, they’re thinking it. Infants Use sign language to communicate Grasp or hold objects in hand Support their own head Lift head and chest when lying on their tummy Scoot to get something they want Hold bottle during feeding Push food away when done Toddlers […]
Staff Development Training 6/30 & 7/1: Being extra expressive under face coverings while helping children identify expressions and feelings through body language, eyes and other cues. | Every month our teachers learn something new, takes a look at something old from a new perspective, reinforces and reinvigorates previous education and training, or just have some hands-on fun through […]
Our smiles shine right through our masks! We love sharing our smiles! We can see yours too! Why We Wear Face Covers We wear face covers to protect others. Face covers help keep droplets from being airborne from people who have no symptoms or signs of illness. Wearing a face covering offers some protection for […]
How to use advanced language to increase your child’s vocabulary You: “Tell me about your hat.” Your child: “It is red, orange, yellow, green and blue.” You: “You have many different colors in your hat. It’s a multicolored hat.” You: “I feel embarrassed right now!” Your child: “Why?” You: “I couldn’t remember my friend’s son’s name so […]
How to make a Smush Painting You’ll Need: Make your smush painting Cut out optional shapes or use the paper as is Place lots of different color blobs of paint all over the paper Fold the paper in half Press down all over Open up the paper and amaze yourself with your creation Talk about […]
What’s an open ended question? Open‐ended questions open up conversations When you ask an open‐ended question, you don’t know what your child’s answer is going to be. Close‐ended questions usually limit conversation to a one or two word response, and sometimes they end the conversation. Examples: Close‐ended question: “What color is this?” Open‐ended question: “You used […]
How to use repetition to increase your child’s vocabulary Listen to what your child says and then restate or rephrase your child’s words. Listens to your child, then use your child’s words in a more complete phrase or sentence. Your child says: Painting the box. You say: Oh, you’re painting the box blue. Your child: Car goes fast. […]
Let your children build Their fort Help but don’t take over. Let your child’s imagination go! Just help out where needed to keep it safe. A fort can be whatever your child wants: a castle, a home, a cave, a tent, an igloo. The options are limitless. Just like our imagination. Building forts will encourage your […]
Establish a Social Distancing Routine Children LOVE routines. Routines provide order and consistency. Children are happier when they know what to expect. And it’s easier on you. With all the changes going on lately our routines have disappeared. It’s time to establish new ones as best we can within our new parameters. First and foremost […]
Look at Me! I can do it! Support your child’s accomplishments with positive reinforcement Acknowledge your children’s accomplishments. Let your children know that you recognize and value the new things (even the little things) they have learned to do. Be generous with your praise for real effort or accomplishment; if you make a big deal […]