Today, we were invited to the Papa ‘Ohe class, our four-year old neighbors.  They put on a play entitled, The Carrot Seed, adapted from the book of the same name written by Ruth Krauss.  Afterwards they shared with us a snack that they helped make, carrot cake.

Today another teacher from another class shared her unusual looking chicken.  We got a chance to observe it up close, feel its feathers, and feed it chicken feed.  If you have any small safe animals (that can be kept in a cage) that your child would like to share, please let us know.  The children would love the experience.

Today, several children worked together with the Magna-Tiles.  The Magna-Tiles are one of the toys that have reminded a choice from the very first day of school.  The children never seem to get tired of them.  Magna-tiles combine math, science, and creativity.  At the beginning the year, the children were build flat creations.  In this stage (age 3), children stack blocks vertically, lay them down and line them up.  Slowly they started making 3-D shapes such as cubes and pyramids.  This stage (ages 3-4) is known as bridging.  It is the stage when children begin to make structures.  Today, their structures are larger, taller, and can fit a child inside of it.  This stage (age 4) involves making enclosures.  At this stage, children can close up a space between blocks with another block. Children do the most problem solving and planning at this stage.

Today we had our first play date date. The first thing in the morning, she shared a craft with each child.  After that, she played with us on the playground and during free choice time.  The children really enjoyed having another adult to play with and talk too.  If you are interested, you could also share a project, do an activity, play a game, share your career, read a book, or simply PLAY.  Aside from thrilling your child with your presence, you will gain insight into your child’s school life.  Plus, you will understand what it takes to keep sixteen lively children happy and challenged throughout the school day.  Please let us know if you’d like to schedule a date.

This week’s book of the week is entitled Dan the Flying Man.  The children came up with a list of other things that fly.  We took that list and categorized the items into four different categories: vehicles (spaceship, airplane, helicopter, jet, hot air balloon, and space shuttle), animals (chicken, bird, butterfly, fly, bee, ladybug), people (Superman, Dan, ghost?, Buzz Lightyear, Batman), and toys (kite).  Putting things into categories can help children organize information and/or ideas.  For an art craft, the children are making butterflies using coffee filters and markers.  The children colored the coffee filters with the markers.  When they were finished, they dropped water drops on it using a pipette.  Using pipettes helps develop fine motor. After it dries, they will pinch it together and use a clothespin for the body and a pipe cleaner for the antennas.

Today we explored musical instruments and had “free” dancing.  From this picture, can you guess what song is most requested by the children for free dance time?  All children love music and their inborn love of music makes it an absolute natural for child development.  In our preschool classroom we try to build a community of young children sharing songs, playing songs, moving to different paced songs, dancing to different genres of music, doing the hula in a relaxed, playful, non-performance oriented setting.

This week’s collaborative art piece involves fluorescent paint with “funny” foam brushes, fluorescent glue, small paper flowers, and colored feathers.  In the preschool classroom, we do collaborative art pieces because it encourages working towards a common shared goal, supports teamwork, helps promote a positive work ethic, and it provides an opportunity for children to engage in conversation with each other.  Throughout the year, we will continue to do collaboration art pieces using different art medium and art techniques.  The current ones are displayed in a black frame around the classroom.

Today we shared our stick projects with children from two other classrooms by doing a “stick parade.”   As they marched, they held their sticks up proudly.  Mahalo families for helping your keiki with this project.

Today was our Wheeled Toys Day.  Even though it rained in the morning, we were able to ride in the breezeway until the weather allowed us to go up the Waipao playground.  The children are all at different developmental stages of bike riding.  Typically, by the end of their third year, children should have mastered a three-wheeler with few accidents.  When they turn four years old, children can turn corners and steer out of the way of objects and peers.  Four year old children can also pedal and steer a two-wheeled bike with training wheels.  Keep practicing at home!

Today, because of the rain, we were unable to go to outdoor play.  We are sure that you are well aware that children need to keep active.  So, keeping children indoors for the entire school day can be difficult. Today, we played indoor beach ball volley ball.  We used a blown-up beach ball instead of a hard volleyball.  The lighter ball has a much greater hang time, making it easier for younger children to set up to hit the ball.  The children worked with a partner.  We used two shelves as the “net”.  It kept them busy and engaged for almost 30 minutes.