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Camping fun in the dramatic play center
This month is all about camping for me, I’m going on three different camping trips and we’re gearing up for our first one this weekend, so I thought I’d share the fun here at Preschool Ponderings. I love to do camping activities with preschoolers because some of them are familiar with camping – they’ve gone with their families, or they’ve at roasted marshmallows in their backyard – while others have no experience with the concept and are over the moon excited about camping in the classroom. I like to introduce fun new topics like this by including related materials in the dramatic play space. This gives the children the opportunity…
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Friday Freebie – Summer Packing List
Happy Friday! I am psyched to share my freebie with you today because it’s to help you get organized for summer! Download my free summer packing list and start prepping. I’ve already got a few of my own filled out – I used one for the conference that I went to last weekend, and I need to do one for the camping trip I’m going on next week, and then another for my trip to Vegas in July. What will you be packing for?
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Explaining Reggio Emilia
I’ve been teaching young children using guidance from Reggio Emilia for 6 years, so it is second nature to me. This can make it a little hard to explain, because I don’t always think about what I’m doing or why I’m doing it, I just do it. I found this quote from Carlina Rinaldi, the President of Reggio Children, and I think it perfectly explains the philosophy in a way that is short, sweet, and easy to understand. This speaks to every tenet of the philosophy because it recognizes that the process is always more important than the outcome. It also speaks to giving value to the thoughts and ideas…
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Exploring Weather in Preschool
It’s Wednesday, and here at Preschool Ponderings, that means time to focus on the standards. Every Wednesday I choose an Early Learning Standard and share a number of activities that can be aligned with that particular standard. Remember, the Standards that I use every day, and am most comfortable with are Ohio’s Early Learning Development Standards – you can review them here, however I’ve found that even if your State’s standards differ, many of these activities can still be aligned similarly. I’ve rounded up some great ideas today! Domain: ScienceStrand: Earth and Space ScienceTopic: Explorations of the Natural WorldThis standard is all about the weather and nature – two things that…
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June Currently
It’s June – yesterday was the first and it was 55 degrees and cloudy, not exactly the way I expected June to start – but it’s June, and I’m still happy about that! Here’s what I’m up to; Listening: The Whispers is a new show on ABC, I figured I’d watch the pilot and see what it was about. I’m hooked, and yet, I’m still not quite sure what it’s about – it’s fascinating. Loving: I am in love with my new blog design! Alexis from Laugh Eat Learn designed it for me and she is clearly a genius! Thinking: Summer is supposed to be fun and relaxing right? Umm,…
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Summer activities for preschoolers
Now that the calendar says June, I am in full swing for summer! I wanted to share some great ideas for preschool age children, and I’ve got a huge collection on my Preschool Summer Ideas pin board. Whether you have students all summer, are running a day camp or VBS, are babysitting, or are looking for fun things to do with your own children, I’ve got a great collection of ideas on this board. Hop on over and check out the crafts, water play, Fourth of July games, snacks to beat the heat, camping fun, and large motor outdoor activities. Share a link to your summer pin boards in the…
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Friday Freebie – Popsicle Fun
Happy Friday! It’s starting to feel like summer, whether you are finishing up the school year or just looking forward to some summer fun, this popsicle number set is a great way to work on number recognition and sequencing while you enjoy some warmer days! It’s from Erin at Creating and Teaching, and it’s adorable so go download a copy!
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Personalizing our playground with Oriental Trading
I’ve loved Oriental Trading for as long as I can remember, so when they offered to send me some products to review, I jumped at the opportunity! Since my focus has been on creating an engaging playground, I chose Oriental Trading Products that would add value and color to this space. I was like a little kid on Christmas when the box arrived, it included unfinished wood bird houses, bird feeders, wind chimes, blank plastic sun catchers and paint pens, and blank kites. I love all of the unfinished wood because it really gives my students the opportunity to be creative. Before introducing all of the materials to the children…
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Preschool activities that promote scientific inquiry
It’s Wednesday, and here at Preschool Ponderings, that means time to focus on the standards. Every Wednesday I choose an Early Learning Standard and share a number of activities that can be aligned with that particular standard. Remember, the Standards that I use every day, and am most comfortable with are Ohio’s Early Learning Development Standards – you can review them here, however I’ve found that even if your State’s standards differ, many of these activities can still be aligned similarly. I’ve rounded up some great ideas today! Domain: ScienceStrand: Science Inquiry and ApplicationTopic: Inquiry This standard is all about scientific exploration. It encourages children to engage in investigations, make observations…
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Personalize your playground with children’s artwork
At school we’ve been focusing on making our playground a fun place for the children to explore. We did some fundraising so that we could purchase a beautiful new sandbox, but I also wanted the children to be able to put their mark on the space. The Reggio Emilia philosophy encourages us to find beauty in our surroundings and create aesthetically pleasing learning environments, so I rounded up some ideas that will add color and whimsy to the playground! Recycled water bottle sun catchers Cement garden balls DIY stones with natural impressions Natural materials garden stones Tin can lanterns Stone and stump games I can’t wait to do some of…
