Getting to Know You...

The play dough was a setting for all kinds of animals this morning.  With individual trays to work on, each child had a supply of play dough as well as a variety of creatures.  The kids integrated the gorilla, the giraffe and a variety of dinosaurs into their play.  It was wonderful to see the smiles and laughter as they squeezed, squished, and flattened the dough.  The Keshet children are getting to know each other as they engage in parallel play.

What's a Flyswatter Anyway?

Today we had a guest assistant, Laura's daughter Lily!  Lily helped the children make their own paint using cornstarch, water, and liquid watercolors.  We then dipped flyswatters into the paint, started swatting, and watched our abstract creations emerge!   Jacob was covered in splattered paint when he was done.  Laughing, he said "This is so fun, but what's a flyswatter anyway?" 

Want to play?

Today I overheard one of the Keshet children inviting one of the Levana kids to come and play in the sandbox.  I was thrilled to see that the pair joined together to work on a digging project.  Parallel play, dyad play - and now - an invitation to play?  The children have certainly matured over the past few months.  It was a pleasure to observe this wonderful moment!

Budding Friendships

In a moment, a hand is extended and is grasped by another classmate's hand.  Joyful smiles wash over the faces of kids as they connect in friendly play.  Sliding alone is great, but it's a special feeling to hold hands with your friend as you slide down FAST as a team.   This is another way in which the Keshet children are moving from parallel play to dyad play - in pairs.  

                  

Chester our friend!

Chester has made his way into our hearts!   We all have become quite fond of Chester!  The children that have had the opportunity to take Chester home and spend time with him actually miss him, when they bring him back to school.   Everyday Lily says, "I want Chester to come to my house again."   Last week Joise took Chester home for the weekend.  On Tuesday she was so delighted to share Chester's journal with her classmates and teachers. 

The children who have not had a turn with Chester can't wait to take Chester home to visit with their family.   Everyday this week Zack has asked if Chester can come out to visit.  When Chester comes out to play he has a really nice way of bringing the children together.  Chester is what we call a very" friendly" guy, as he always invites everyone into his circle of play.  Chester is a wonderful addition to our class and we are glad to have him.

How to be a "Bucket Filler"

Carol McCloud is the author of Have You Filled a Bucket Today?  "She first learned about bucketfilling in a parenting workshop at an early childhood conference in the1990's.  The speaker, an expert in infant brain research, said it is helpful to think of every baby as being born with an invisible bucket.  The bucket represents a child's mental and emotional health.  You can't see the bucket, but it's there.  She went on to say that it is primarily the parents' or other caregivers' responsibility to fill a child's bucket.  When you hold, caress, nurture, touch, sing, play and provide loving attention, safely and care, you fill your child's bucket."

Carol goes on to say, "However, in addition to being loved, children must also be taught how to love.  Children who learn how to express kindness and love lead happier lives.  When you love and care about others and show that love with what you say and do, you feel good and you fill your own bucket, too."

Carol says she wrote Have You Filled a Bucket Today? to teach young children how to be bucket fillers. Each time we read the book with the children, we use it as an opportunity to model bucketfilling by filling their buckets.  We help them think about what they might say it do to fill someones else's bucket.  We will continue to work with the children and help them practice daily bucketfilling. 

As you can see in the above photos they are already ready experiencing the pride and joy of filling buckets.  Josh reached out to Noah on the way to down to the Community Room and said,  "Let's hold hands."  Noah smiled, reached out his hand and said, "Yes, let's hold hand."    Zach saw that Lily was having trouble getting her magnatile structure to stay up, so he offered to help.   Daily Micah G thinks of his mom and takes the time to write her special notes.   Last week Josie was having trouble stirring the pumpkin muffins...the dough was thick and hard to mix.   Elias heard Josie ask for help and started stirring the dough for her.  We sure are have fun filling buckets!

This book is a must have for you library at home!  The whole family will love filling buckets!

Developing Caring Relationships

This morning the playground was very busy. Children wanted to be on the monkey bars, pushed on the swings, playing basketball, going to the bathroom, on top of welcoming the children just coming onto the playground! Sometimes, it just gets a little too busy and it's hard to please everyone's needs. As I was with Sadie on the monkey bars, Alli asked me if I could give her a push on the swing. Before I could tell her I would be over after the monkey bars closed down, Jake chimed in and told me he could give her a push! He ran right over and started helping Alli get somewhere on the swings. Alli and Jake are not the closest of friends, but it was really nice to see the type of relationship they have developed just being in the same class together all year. You can tell that they truly care about one another, and are trying to help the other have a good time.

-Alison and Sauci