Off to a great start!

These first weeks in the Toddler classroom are the most difficult of our whole year. We (the teachers, children and parents) work to facilitate a smooth separation and introduction into the classroom environment, with as few tears as possible. While it doesn't always feel like we are making progress, we make huge strides every day and soon begin to see happy contentment replace those anxious tears!

Outside Fun

With warm weather comes the opportunity to explore and play outside.  

Riding tricycles, running, digging, playing and smelling the flowers are all so much fun.

So happy spring is here!

Snack Preparation

Our process for snack time in Room 1 is a great routine that we practice each day.

We take turns helping prepare our snack each day by cutting fruits, vegetables and cheese.

After our playtime outside or downstairs, we have a short group time where we sing songs and do coordinated group activities. We take turns helping set the table during this time as well. Ms. Twining then sings a song about our shirts while we dance and we wash are hands and get our cups.

We then choose our seat and wait for our friends. We practice sitting quietly at the table with our hands in our laps while we wait. 

We wait to eat until everyone is served and we sing our song. During snack, we have the opportunity to practice many skills, like pouring water from a pitcher into our cups, using utensils like tongs, spoons and spreading knives, to serve ourselves and eat with and cleaning up after ourselves.

When we are finished with our snack, we clean up by scraping our plates into the trash and putting our plates and cups into the dish pan. We then put our placemats away and push in our chairs. 

Snack time is a rewarding and special part of each day! 

Movement

This winter it was difficult for us to get our small friends in Room 1 outside. It was just too cold most days. On days when we are not able to get outdoors, we do still make time to work on our gross motor skills and run, jump, and play some of that energy out of us!

Tasting

Our friends in Room 1 have been exploring new foods. 

This past week we felt, smelled and tasted avocado. It is a fun food to taste and to say! 

We have also tasted how sour lemons are and how they feel and smell on the inside and out. 

Next week we will try Kiwi!