This month, the primary through 5th grade played a game called Eggs-Ercise for their warm-up activity.  For Primary, the game involved matching and sorting the different colored eggs.  We had to run to a cup and check what color they found and match it with the colored egg in the tray. Recognizing the colors and identifying the color names is an important part of a child’s development.  When we recognize colors, we are noticing, matching, sorting, and labeling the characteristics of things in the world around us.  

At the elementary level math was incorporated.  Each team/group had to find a total of 15 eggs but had to arrange them a certain way.  They were asked “How many rows of eggs and how many eggs in each row would you have arrange to equal 15 eggs?”  They would have to work as a team to organize either five rows of three eggs or three rows of five eggs each.  The purpose of this activity is to promote increased fitness, effective teamwork, and math concepts.

The effects of music on children are magical. Music can be both energizing and calming. Toddlers learn by watching others tapping, shaking, always experimenting with the environment as well as their voices motivated by what they hear. Music supports social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development. 

In our Toddler music class, children gather together to do all of the activities that are described above within the musical structure that is provided. By listening and singing along, they learn to sing in tune and how to keep the beat. By playing instruments, they are improving fine motor skills. By moving with musical cues, gross motor skills are enhanced. By participating, creativity and self-expression get inspired and blossom.

These are some moments to witness the wonders of the music class!

What is Pickleball?

Pickleball is a paddle sport played with a whiffle ball on a badminton-sized court and a tennis-style net.  Pickleball is enjoyed by people of all ages and athletic abilities.  In some ways it’s a combination of tennis and badminton, and goes along with sports such as table tennis and racquetball.  Pickleball is played in thousands of school P.E. programs, parks and recreation centers, camps, YMCA’s and retirement communities.  This sport is becoming very popular among active senior adults at community centers and is growing in popularity on high school and college campuses.

Pickleball was created during the summer of 1965 in Seattle, WA.  The original purpose of the game was to provide a sport for the entire family.  Pickles, the family dog would chase after the whiffle balls and then hide in the bushes. The founder suggests that Pickle’s ball was later shortened to Pickleball.

During our Elementary Pickleball unit, students practiced and participated in demonstrating the proper serve, forehand drive, backhand drive, and abided by rules of fair play.  Pickleball helps improve agility, balance, reaction time, and hand-eye coordination.  At the end of the unit, students participated in a singles and doubles Pickleball tournament.

The Lower Elementary students participated in a gymnastics unit in which they experienced transfer of body weight through floor skills.  Students experienced the following apparatus: gymnastic mats for an obstacle course, a balance beam, and vaulted springboard.  They also participated in pyramid building and single balances.  A human pyramid is a formation of three or more people in which two or more support a tier of higher people.   For practical reasons, lighter people are often positioned higher while stronger/heavier people are located closer to the base.

Students also practiced jumping off a vaulted springboard.  Vaulting in gymnastics requires coordination combining running, jumping and squatting.  Students practiced jumping and landing with two feet onto the mats.  The jumps practiced were:  straight, straddle, and tuck.  Students learned that strength, flexibility, and balance they gained from gymnastics will transfer easily to every other sport they may want to pursue.  The skills learned will help them achieve success in other areas.

We are deep into January already, but I would like to invite you to take a look back at our Holiday Celebration. From the earliest preparations to the finishing touches and the final performance, our students worked hard and harmoniously. With love and enthusiasm the children filled the gym and our hearts with song.