This week’s snack options gave the children an opportunity to acquire some food prep skills. They seemed to enjoy each lesson as well as using tools they may not usually have the opportunity to use at home. Children are enthusiastic about helping out especially when it comes to cooking.

Banana Slicing

On Monday the children used a fruit and vegetable wavy chopper to make “fancy” slices of bananas to enjoy for a snack.

Eggshell Peeling and Slicing

Eggshell peeling is great for their fine motor skills. It exercises their pincer grasp as they carefully remove the fragile pieces of shells. The multi-step task is also a wonderful way to build concentration. It was incredible to watch the children accomplish this very productive task.

Feel free to add hard-boiled eggs to your next snack list.

Food Tasting: Carrots

Look at these gorgeous colorful carrots the children were able to explore! We talked about how carrots are a root vegetable and grow underground. I cut the carrots lengthwise in half to explore the inside. The children were surprised that, unlike the orange and white carrot, the purple carrot was not all one color. The purple carrot’s middle layer was yellow. Fun Fact: Pretty much all carrots used to be purple!

Have a wonderful break!
Mrs. Wilson, Ms. Sara, and Ms. Heather

If you were to be able to walk into the classroom you could pretty much guess what the main focus is about. Everywhere you turn you will see lessons with primary colors, rainbow order colors on them. The rainbow is a symbol of peace. We see this beautiful peace when the children are welcomed to find new lessons on the shelf. A simple change can bring the most amazing peace and focus.

On Monday morning the children were included in helping switch out the February themed lessons for March themed lessons. There is a joy and ownership that the children gain when they are part of creating their environment. They helped hand me the trays and sort out the objects to be packed away. They also set up the new lessons on the tray and placed them on the shelf. To continue their interest with colors we added more lessons that expose them to primary colors and color matching. This will tie into a very special color mixing lesson they will receive when we return from break.

I introduced another practical life lesson to a couple of children this week. For the next few weeks the children will learn how to wash a table. We use a designated yellow caddie to hold the supplies they need to do this task. In this caddie is a yellow apron, a yellow cloth, and a spray bottle. Once all the children are shown the process, it will be available to use as needed.

Food Tasting: We started off by giving the children their own raw Brussels sprout to explore and taste. The children discovered that you can peel the leaves. Then all but one of the children tasted them steamed. Six of the children were practically begging for more.

Note: We are excited to let you know that all our toddlers who will be moving up to our Primary program in the Fall of 2020 will be visiting a Primary classroom next week with the goal of getting them acquainted with the environment and teachers. Kindergarten students can’t wait to welcome our toddlers and work together in the environment. It’s going to be a great experience for all!