Inventive ways to count to 10

I am always trying new and interesting ways for my toddlers to count to 10 - I want them to not only be able to count to 10, but I also want them to conceptually identify 10.

Today we used plastic discs and 10 cups - we put one disc into each cup and counted them outloud as the discs dropped into the cups.

We then took 10 large cups and place the smaller cups inside and counted them outloud as well.

Easy right! the kids really enjoyed both activities. :)

Our Christmas Gift & Christmas Bulletin Board

I try to make sure that the parents of the children in my class get a vision of what their child has experienced in my classroom during the school year. So each Christmas and Mothers Day the families get a CD which I create from the photos we take on a daily basis. One of the reasons for this is that children cannot always communicate with their parents what has transpired throughout their day and sadly there are still parents who think we just change diapers and colour! I still get comments like, "Joey was counting to 20 the other day, I don't know where he learned that!" What the heck?!?! LOL Well once they get their CD's those comments go away! So here is what we did this year for our 'Gift'.

Here is the CD in hand stamped CD covers

The ornaments on the tree have pictures of the children on them and LOTS of glitter!

They will go home with the CD for the parents to hang on the tree.

This is for the children - Chocolates and a Christmas pencil with eraser for the kiddies to enjoy!

Nomination for Best New Blog

I am so pleased that this blog has been nominated by Edublog Awards for Best New Blog!
Please show your support and click the nomination button on the right and vote for us daily!
Or click the link below.

There are some really awesome blogs nominated in all the categories - show them some love and vote for your favorites!

PLEASE VOTE FOR KREATIVE RESOURCES 

Playing with blocks!

I have at least 5 main types of blocks in my classroom at one time. I often add more, and switch them out, with a variety of other types - styles and textures on a regular basis. Combining a selection of blocks together can enhance this play beyond the simple build a tower type of block play. Not that there is anything wrong with that, as tower building is an important component of block building. After all the 'Pink Tower' is one of the principal pieces of equipment in a Montessori classroom. Essentially block play transforms any day into an adventure in learning.
When I watch the children playing with blocks, I see so many crucial developmental skills being evolved. I watch the excitement when the children transform blocks to  into creations, which in their mind represents what they had intended. The social aspect of block play is of great value. I see children that may not have socialize together, suddenly partner up and create a structure, with a resourcefulness that had not been established before.
Providing the tools for exploration in the classroom is a teachers role in ensuring that the children have what they require for steady developmental growth. Blocks may seem like a common and simple object, but there importance is paramount.

Take a look at the articles on these links for "The Importance of Block Play":

A place of our own

Let kids play

Picklebums

Community playthings

Early childhood news

Sixty second parent

So what type of blocks do you have in your classroom?

 Here are some of the Toddler favourites we have:

Plastic 3D Character Blocks / Clipo Peeka Blocks / Waffle Blocks

Wooden blocks in a variety of types

Wooden Lincoln Logs / Foam Blocks

Duplo Blocks a classic favorite! 





 I can't remember the name of these - but we like them :)
*Thanks to one of my followers on FB for reminding me that these are called Bristol Blocks!

The list could go on and on - there are so many to choose from.

Perhaps we can give our gratitude to Frederich Froebel for the introduction of these wonderful "gifts" in his newly formed kindergarten classroom. His altruistic vision of presenting play with a purpose, by creating occupations, lead the way for teachers to use the child's 'environment' as educational aids.

Watch this video which I made for more information on Frederich Froebel:

 Froebel Video

Be sure to add a variety of blocks to your classroom!



Preprinting skills

Today we worked on our preprinting skills using various fine motor tools.

First we used this piece of classroom equipment (click link for description)

  

I find it's great to start the little ones off on this since it has a large knob for grasping, and the tracks to trace are large, so the knob flows easily. There is little frustration with this equipment and the children are drawn to it with out prompting.

 We also do tracing in sand and recently I found these cards which helps direct our process. The kids really enjoy this activity.

Then of course we practise with pencil and paper - we added sponge grips to make it easier.

In all of these activities we find out hand dominance - what type of grip the children are using - who needs help with grip  - what level the children are at in the preprinting process, and what activities we need to add or take out of the process at the time preprinting activities are introduced.

The children fully participate in all of the activities introduced without proding - they find great pride in the success they achieve with practice.

Sensory Christmas Bin

In our Christmas sensory bin we have small styrofoam balls - a selection of pompoms and Santa and his reindeer. The kids have been enjoying this - although the styrofoam balls do have a lot of static cling - they are everywhere! LOL

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!