Do they use that stuff?

There are often times when I get asked if the children actually choose to use the practical life items I place out for the children in the classroom.
Indeed they do! I think it's because they are different. They are not pre-packaged toys - they are something outside of the box. I also present the objects before independant use, so the children have an idea of how they may manipulate the objects. Not because I don't think they would come up with their own solutions - but because some kids simply need a stepping off point. Besides I think it also makes the object more important since they were presented as something special.

Here the children use the I Spy Christmas Tubes and some Christmas icecube trays with glitter pompoms & Christmas erasers. Great for fine motor practice, sorting , matching, sequencing, counting and sensory stimulation etc. The presents our magical elf 'Stanley' brought for the children to count.  The puzzle the one boy is using was very difficult, but he is a really great puzzle expert! He even stumped one of our teachers - he had to show her how it went together! LOL It's really interesting to watch the children use the objects with great interest since most people would simply look at them as just stuff without a purpose.

So - do they use that stuff? YUP!

This week I added magnets with a jar of jingle bells and pipe cleaners bent into candy canes.

 

Fun to play with!

Real Life experiences!

Today during nap time we suddenly heard loud voices and saw flashing red lights on our walls. What could that be we wondered, as the children woke up one by one. As I opened the blinds to take a look, we saw 6 fire trucks outside of our window, and a couple of police cars! The children were shreaking 'Firetruck'! They were addressing an issue inside the building across our parking lot.I knew we must not be in any danger, as our alarms were not set off and no emergency crew came to evacuate us, so I allowed the children to watch the action from our safe vantage point! It was a very important situation for them to view. They got to see equipment being unloaded and loaded and the lights flashing and all the rescue personal in their complete uniforms. We discussed what they were wearing and why. Why the lights were flashing and why the police may be there to help the firefighters. As it turned out there was a dryer fire in one of the units. We have rehabs - doctors offices - dance studios etc. all whom may use dryers. Any way we had a free real life lesson in fire rescue.

While some of us were sleeping the excitement was happening just outside our window!

Not one firetruck....

...there were several!

We were safe and sound!