We had a Kindness Celebration!
This time we made party hats, pizza and cupcakes! We even had some purple sparkling "Violet Soda" made from the violet flowers collected last month and made into a honey syrup.
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We had a Kindness Celebration!We work together to fill our Kindness Jar with pom-poms! When some shows an extra level of loving kindness, helpfulness or generosity we offer them the opportunity to add pom-poms to the Kindness Jar. When we fill the jar all the way up we throw a Kindness Party to celebrate Kindness! This time we made party hats, pizza and cupcakes! We even had some purple sparkling "Violet Soda" made from the violet flowers collected last month and made into a honey syrup. We Love New Watercolor Day!So fresh and so clean. It feels good to have all the colors just so in there little homes... but it doesn't stay that way for long. Happy Full Moon! ~ Dogwoods are in Bloom!Earth Day & Seed StartingThey really enjoyed planting weird, alien nasturtium seeds with Teacher Annalise for Earth Day. We enjoy getting our hands in the soil and tucking the little seedling away in it's bed to then, "Wake up! It's time to become a flower!" The Green Grass Grows All AroundWe are so happy to welcome the green grass back to the big yard, all the songbirds in their nests, and the fresh bunny food from the garden. We have been singing the song "The Green Grass Grows All Around" during circle time. Healthy Meals! Happy Bellys!We strive to provide healthy, organic, well-balanced meals, often including salad or herbs from the garden, a warm soup on cold days, and almost always fresh, sliced apples for 'dessert'. They love 'apple-time'! And Thank You Parents for packing such Healthy Snacks! Soon it will be Circle Time!Yay! It's Popsicle Weather Again!Group Hug! or maybe not?Sometimes even the best intentions are not well received, we remind the kids that it is important to ask if someone would like to hug and get a 'yes' or a 'no' before proceeding.. and we always reserve the right to change our mind if it is no longer feeling fun or safe. Wind Element & Quiet PlayWe've had some extreme weather changes lately. One day everyone is hot and we are splashing in the water table and the next a cold wind blows snow around. We spend most of our time outside, but when it's too cold and windy or raining hard, we will go into the classroom and have 'quiet play'. This is a great opportunity for everyone to practice there 'inside voices' and find a 'quiet activity. Here we made wind socks and played in the wind with them when we went to the big yard later. New Spring Waterproof Shoes!Many of the kids came back from Spring break excited to show us their new waterproof shoes. We love that for them! Dry feet are warm feet. And full rain gear really helps on rainy days. Hooray! New Playground Balls!Because "It's Fun to Have Fun!"... we love new things, new flowers, new games, new stories and especially new toys! See You Soon Iris!Sometimes a teacher gets called away to other opportunities and it's always nice when we can acknowledge the love and care they showed the school and the children. We had fun all making her a card, and we had a few helpers join us in the kitchen to make Iris some special muffins for her last day... she cried. Play Time!Happy Spring! See you next time!
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Spring is coming! Spring is coming Birdies build your nest Weave together straw and feather Doing each their best Spring is coming! Spring is coming! Flowers are coming too. Pansies, lilies, daffodils All are coming through. Spring is coming! Spring is coming! All around is fair Shimmer glimmer on the river Joy is everywhere! Spring is coming! Spring is coming! Love is in the air Parent, child, sibling, neighbor Show them all you care! Spring Equinox Celebration Such a lovely time together welcoming back the returning sun with our songs and flowers! Learning Science Through Establishing a Food Forest The kids have been planting trees and tree helpers around the property and learning about how magical legume (clovers, peas etc.) plants help regenerate soil fertility with nitrogen from the atmosphere! Last week the kids planted clover seeds and then covered them with a little compost. They are already spouting in our little heart shaped baby food forest! Art & Creative Invitations Watercolor has been a regular go to this watery, rainy season. We have been exploring different mediums to use the watery paint on such as : paper, coffee filters and even faces! We have also had quite a bit of messy fun with clay - it got a little too dry, no problem we will just add water! Nature Plates and Art Plates have been a fun frame for them to contain their creative expression, allowing them to get up-close-and-personal with the new buds and blossoms of spring and creating symmetrical and asymmetrical designs. CIRCLE TIME! In are circle time we have been focusing on conflict resolution practices and celebrating spring! Bringing out our puppet friends, Man and Gillie, to help find empathy when we are scared or shy or sad and how to respond with our words when someone does something we do like. Rhythm sticks have been a hit! They are eager to have a turn to share their own rhythm with the group. Teacher Annalise has been dancing with silks to Celebrate that Spring is Coming and Mica shares many special songs and stories that immediately capture the children's attention. Music with Katrina and Mateo! How blessed we are to have songwriting and musical math classes with the fine folks of The Freedom Family Band! The Virtues Project This month we are focusing on the virtue of forgiveness using a variety of resources for conflict resolution and social-emotional learning. At circle we have been talking about different ways to practice forgiveness and remembering that everyone makes mistakes. We learned from Quoia that "forgiveness is giving love to someone who was being mean". We have been putting a lot of emphasis on treating all our friends kindly and having fun "because it's fun to have fun!" Affirmation: I am forgiving of other's and myself. I am willing to give and receive amends. I learn from my mistakes. I have the power to keep changing for the better. Hammerhead the Slumberkin Some messages from Hammerheads book: 1. It’s okay to be upset — it’s good to let it out. 2. I hear you — I’m here for you — I’ll stay with you. 3. It’s okay to feel how you feel. It is not okay to _________.” We loved learning these Tools to Cool with this month's slumberkin! Hammerhead Breaths: Lock your fingers together and place your hands behind your head. Cross your feet and take a deep breath in and blow it out. Switch your feet, and breathe again. Put your feet together for your final breath. Recycled Ocean Waves: Grab a piece of paper from the recycling bin. Rip the paper into wavy strips. After each page, check to see if you’re feeling calm. Starfish Breaths: Place your hand in front of you like a starfish. Trace the outline of each of your fingers. When you trace up, breathe in. When you trace down, breathe out. Seaweed Squeeze: Wrap your arms around your shoulders and squeeze tight. Then release. Count to five and release. Continue three times or until your body starts to calm. Shark Fin: Place your palms together in front of you with your elbow out to the sides, creating a “shark fin.” Push your palms together, then release. Continue three times or until your body starts to calm. Yoga & Tea Time It's amazing what some fresh cut flowers and a little background music can do to set the stage for a delightful morning of tea, animal cards and conversation. We drank the whole pot of warm tulsi-rose tea before on the chilly morning and then sat peacefully with some water color pencils for creative expression. Yoga is part of most all of our circle time activities in some way, whether its a fun sing-song of 'Head-Shoulders-Knees-And-Toes' or some AcroYoga airplane, we like to laugh and have fun as much as possible - "because it's fun to have fun!" (This is our mantra) Garden & KitchenMary, Mary, quite contrary, How does your garden grow? We like to take the kids to the garden to cut herbs for lunch or scatter seeds or just to check to see how the strawberry's are doing. They have also been starting seeds in pots for the garden and to take home to care for. Perhaps this summer we will have a three-sister's tee-pee with sunflowers and cherry tomatoes to snack on during hot summer days! And one day, if Mother Nature wills it, we will have a giant Mulberry tree in the Big Yard to paint our feet and stuff our faces with that we just planted together. Meet Viola Our Herb Fairy Here are some of the yummy recipes we made with violets! Cinnamon Coconut Apples We love to make these for lunch. Simply add some cinnamon and shredded coconut to sliced apples and shake them up in a bag. Shaking them up can be a lot of fun and its a great way to pack sliced apples for a snack for later! Math - Counting & Geometry We've been counting by twos when we clean up our MagneTiles by playing MagneTile basketball, appreciating all those who help! "2, 4, 6, 8 - who do we appreciate? Ella, and Cedar, Junie and Gillie, Asa and Laurie! Yay! MagneTiles are also a great place for them to learn geometry and architecture - they sure do create so amazing structures! Science It may look like a messy poster board, but it became a collaborative art and science project that unfolded over days, helping them learn how layering can create art and using the theme of composting in the garden to provide a teaching moment. First, we painted compost on our community art /science project and we talked about what goes in the compost. Then, when the Worm Moon arrived (March 11th) we painted the compost with worms (cooked pasta) and brown paint. We discussed how the worms turn the compost into soil. Finally, we added green plants and flowers to our garden and sang, "The Green Grass Grows All Around". Play Time! There is no shortage of that here at the Children's Garden. This is perhaps the most important part of our day, where so much experimentation and learning happens. Learn how to run, climb, jump, catch and also how to make friends, negotiate, have patience, share, and come up with wild imaginative ideas that keep us all having fun, because, say it with me, "It's fun to have fun!" and the most learning happens when we are having fun! See you next time!
We have been learning all about love and growing our community from our home family to our Children's Garden family with Otter from the Slumberkins! The Barred Owls took turns sharing their home family's cultures and traditions with the group. Then we made a made a Children's Garden heart family poster where all the groups contributed! Learning Science Through Establishing a Food Forest The kids have been planting trees and tree helpers around the property and learning about how magical legume (clovers, peas etc.) plants help regenerate soil fertility with nitrogen from the atmosphere! Last week the kids planted clover seeds and then covered them with a little compost. They are already spouting in our little heart shaped food forest! The Virtues Project This season we have been focusing on the virtue of LOVE with the fine folks from the Virtues Project. At circle time we have been talking all about love! What would love look like if... You start to get upset with yourself about something you have done? You want to do something thoughtful when your parent is sick? Another child is acting cranky? A baby bird has fallen from it's nest? What are some signs that you are practicing love... You treat others as you would want them to treat you. Saying kind and loving things. Thinking loving thoughts. Taking good care of the things you love. Valentines! A big thank you to Mama Hannah for handcrafting these lovely hearts for us to make art, cards, and decorations with! Chickweed! Lady Chickweed has been a flourishing volunteer plant in the garden! Such a kid friendly herb with it's tiny flowers and mild taste. We've started another season with the herb fairies to learn more about chickweed and all her healing and nutritious gifts. When the kids listen to the story and color in all her leaves and flowers it's really easy for them to identify it in the garden and forest! World Culture This season we have been learning about Japan, China, and Southeast Asia. Mochi Math! If we have 6 bars of mochi and we cut each bar into 8 pieces how many pieces of mochi will we have? 48! 6 x 8 is 48! Fresh baked mochi is so yummy drizzled with honey and sprinkled with cinnamon. Ancient Asia Collage Tangram Puzzles Lunar New Year Musical Math Birthday Muffins Ingredients:
Science Experiments In the Garden We have been planting lots of seeds and harvesting herbs for our magic soup! Spanish Class Yoga Sweet Friends! See you next time!
"How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk" by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish is one of our all time favorite books that provides practical communication strategies for building positive relationships with children. Here are 10 lessons from the book: 1. Acknowledge Feelings: Encourage open communication by acknowledging and validating your child's feelings. When children feel heard and understood, it creates a foundation for positive interaction. 2. Avoid Denial of Feelings: Instead of dismissing a child's emotions, the book advises acknowledging and accepting their feelings. Denying feelings can lead to frustration and communication breakdowns. 3. Give Information in Manageable Parts: Break down information into manageable parts to help children better understand and process. This approach can make instructions or explanations more accessible and effective. 4. Use Alternatives to Punishment: The book advocates for using alternatives to punishment, such as acknowledging feelings, offering choices, and problem-solving together. This helps children learn from their experiences without feeling punitive. 5. Offer Choices: Providing children with choices empowers them and encourages a sense of autonomy. It also helps prevent power struggles and fosters cooperation. 6. Describe, Don't Label: Instead of labeling a child with negative terms, describe their behavior or actions. This approach helps avoid a defensive reaction and encourages positive change. 7. Use "I" Statements: Express your own feelings and needs using "I" statements. This helps prevent blaming and fosters a collaborative atmosphere where both parent and child can share their perspectives. 8. Encourage Autonomy: Support your child's growing independence by giving them opportunities to make decisions and solve problems. This builds their confidence and decision-making skills. 9. Engage in Active Listening: Practice active listening by fully focusing on what your child is saying without interrupting. This demonstrates respect and encourages children to share their thoughts and feelings more openly. 10. Problem-Solve Together: Instead of imposing solutions, involve children in the problem-solving process. Collaborative problem-solving teaches valuable skills and helps children feel more in control of their lives. These lessons from "How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk" provide a foundation for effective and respectful communication between parents and children. Applying these principles can contribute to building positive relationships and fostering a supportive family environment. You can also get the audio book for FREE using the link below. Use the link to register for the audio book on Audible ot have a listen: https://amzn.to/3SwiOZ3 Stay tuned for more pics and projects soon! "I found I could say things with color and shape I couldn't say any other way." Georgia O'Keefe Shapes help children identify and arrange visual information. By exploring and playing with shapes, children learn to make connections, notice patterns, and make sense of signs and symbols. Knowledge of basic shapes may be connected to the following learning techniques: -Describe objects based on attributes -Group objects that are alike -Sort and classify objects -Identify sequence/patterns -Complete patterns -Reproduce and extend pattern -Create own patterns -Tell the quantity of objects (counting) -Practice one-to-one correspondence Investigating, Building, Playing!Exploring Shapes Through ArtShape Puzzles Sacred Geometry Snowflake MatchingSnowflake Science ExperimentThis activity helps develop children's motor skills while teaching about symmetry and exposing them to paper chromatography! Step 1: Take a coffee filter and fold it in 1/2 Step 2: Fold it in 1/2 again Step 3: Then fold it again in 1/3 Step 4: Cut out various shapes. Step 5: Then we get to the fun part: Watching the paint travel up our snowflake! Here's the finished product! The Magically Hidden SnowflakeWax resist painting reveals a beautiful snowflake! |
The intention of this blog is to include the community in our learning process and to inspire families to engage in fun and healthy activities together! Archives
March 2024
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