Sand Art

After observing children being so engaged in the sand table we thought it would be great to continue with sand art!  We set up different colors of sand, cardboard and glue in the studio. Right away the toddler class was fully amused in the project as they figured out how to get the sand to stick to the cardboard. The toddlers worked in many different ways to create their project, some took small amounts of sand and slowly dropped it onto their cardboard, where as others dumped the whole plate of sand and then smeared it around, some even used their mouths to manipulate the paint brush. All together this art project was GREAT FUN!!

Studying Movement through Pipes

The toddler room has been engaging in a study of movement for the past few months. One of the many ways in which they have been exploring this idea is through the use of large and clear PVC piping, while using different tools such as balls, funnels and measuring utensils.

We have observed the children using the PVC pipes in many different ways. Some of the things we have noticed is that it invites participation, at one point or another all children have engaged in the different activities. It has also helped children to make and test hypotheses of the components of slope, sand and water, such as how can they make it go through the pipe or how can they drive their car through it. We have also seen it build on their imaginary play; they bring many different objects over to play with in the sensory table.

 The sand and water provides a soothing sensory experience for many children; they just enjoy the feeling of the sand and water between their fingers.  Just like all toddler’s activities it promotes social skills. We observed many different groups of children playing with one another during these activities, using language and gestures to communicate their feeling and ideas. The last thing we have observed is because how open-ended these activities have been children have determined the direction and path of his/her play.

New Mexico Early Learning Guidelines meet:

Toddler demonstrates curiosity, persistence, imagination and problem-solving skills in his/her everyday activities

Toddler manipulates objects and uses tools

Toddler inquires about the world and experiences the properties of things

Toddler conveys a message to another person

Toddler uses social skills with other children

Super Powers

Pretend play is a huge part of the preschool classroom and their lives. One theme we kept observing the children playing was Superheroes.  The children love their extraordinary powers and their vigilance in protecting civilians.  To help facilitate their imaginary play on this topic we decided to do a Superhero study!   We started off by talking with children about real and not real superheroes, what powers they had and what they did. The children came up with great ideas!

Throughout the project the children made capes, masks, armor, remote-control’s and shields. (NMELG #13 the child demonstrates appreciation for the art). 

Also during this study children read many different books about Superheroes.  After the story we asked children what the problem and the solution in the story were. As a class, children also made their own Superhero story.

(NMELG 5.4 Demonstrates understanding of new vocabulary introduced in conversation, activities, stories, and books

6.3 Engages in conversations that develop a thought idea

 7.2 Demonstrates comprehension of the story read aloud by asking relevant questions and making pertinent comments)

A large part of this study was the pretend play and role playing of the different superheroes.  Throughout the whole study children acted out different scenarios of superheroes facilitated by teachers and on their own.  One of the themes children role played were bat caves, where they made the caves out of the sleeping mats and put their blankets over them to make the cave dark. Another role that was acted out was airplane and boat sinking where superheroes had to come and save their friends.

One of the questions children had about Super Heroes was “how do they fly” to help children explore this idea, children traced their own bodies and made their own superheroes. We then set up a pulley system where children could fly their Super Heroes.

During this activity we asked children, “How is your Superhero flying”

Michelle: My superhero is flying

 Jayden:  I'm pulling it

Vincent: It going up, up, up because I am pulling it with the rope

 Jonathan: Pulling on the rope and pulling it up

Lukes:  Because it has a cape look

              Look Demitri you can hold it then Pull it

Demitri:  Pull it, pull it, pull it

 Meadow: with a string and pull it

(NMELG #14 the child uses the scientific method to investigate the physical and natural world and to hypothesize and make predictions)