Sharing Space...

Sharing space is not an easy thing to do, but these children make it look easy. Eliza and Lily thought it would be nice to eat snack in a cozy little space ...Underneath the easel? Hannah asked if she could sit with them, so they scooted over and made room for her. Then Rachel asked if she could sit with them, and they made room for her too. I don't know how but they did...It was tight quarters under that easel.

Our Cozy/Quiet Space

Since children develop at their own pace, classrooms are likely to have children at all stages of play development from solo through large group skill levels. Supportive classrooms will have spaces and places that support each level of play with opportunities for children to grow to the next.

It is important to help children feel comfortable during the program day by providing time, space and activities for children who choose to work alone or with one special friend. These opportunities allow children to practice friendships at their own pace.

Today the teachers introduced the Tel Aviv children to a cozy/quiet area (a small tent) that is set off to the side of more active areas in the classroom. The children will have this space to go to alone or with a partner to try risk-free activities to practice working with others.

At circle time we asked the children, "How many children do you think will fit safely in our tent/quiet area area?" Some children said four, and others thought three would be a good number. So we experimented with the space and they felt two children would work/play best in that space. During free play the children did a amazing job sharing the tent and taking turns. Tomorrow we will have the opportunity to use our cozy space again...I can't wait!

Gross Motor Development!

Most children are "motor driven." They develop or learn new skills and practice those over and over again. Picture a child who has just learned to pump on the swing, or one who learned to jump down from a low height; he wants to do more and more. Children build on their motor skills by taking any and every opportunity to use new skills. Motor skills can be enhanced with experience and opportunities.

Fortunately the weather has been so nice this summer that we have spent most of our time outside on the playground exploring the play areas (swings, jungle gym, monkey bars, the horses, the fire pole etc...); and the children have had the opportunity to experience a high level of motor activity. Some children that were not risk takers at the beginning of the summer have become risk takers. For example some children are now able to: climb up the slide, ride freestyle on the horses, pump on the swings, climb down the fire pole, climb across the monkey bars, jump down from a low height and climb freely on the jungle gym with and/or without support! Children learn by doing, and eventually the responses become automatic. Look and see for yourself!

Beeps and Bubbles

What rain? We had a blast standing INSIDE the giant bubbles. Sure, our feet were a little damp and bubbly but what a magical feeling!











Beep Beep! The return of the cars brought smiles to everyone! Sam and Olive couldn't wait to go on a trip! Sam said he would be bringing a birthday cake and candles on his trip and Olive chose some food and baby Audrey! Cake was definitely a favorite choice all the way around!

No way, it won't fit

The Unicorns had snack, hibernated, had morning meetings, read books, played games, built puzzles, and had lots of fun in our bear cave. It was time to say good-bye. Where would we put it? It took teamwork to take it down. We worked cooperatively, and it was finally on the floor.

The question became:  Where were we going to store such a BIG cave? Could it possibly fit in the bag? Overwhelmingly friends said "NO" impossible!! It was much much too BIG to fit in that little canvas bag. (Visually, a logical conclusion.)

Much to their surprise we folded, and folded, and squeezed it into the bag. Thanks friends, for a fun filled week.

Unicorns get all fired-up

Today was very exciting day at our class- Firefighter Nick and firefighter Shawn
Came to visit us. They arrived at 10 am with their equipment. First, they showed us how they suit up and prepare to go into a fire. The fire fighter added his oxygen tank and face mask and became unrecognizable. He told the children that if they ever saw him like this in a fire that he was there to help them.
The Unicorns learned that firefighters wears lots of protective clothing, but its not so scary.
The visit was tremendous fun for the children and it also reinforced their lesson on community helpers. We learned very important rules about fire safety:-
Firefighters are our friends
Stop! Drop! And Roll!
and keep away from matches and lighters
We were such a great listeners that at the end of their visit they gave us a red fire hat for each kid to take home.
Thank you Firefighters Nick and Shawn from the Needham Fire Department.


We read many books about fire and sang great songs. one of our favorite is about a firefighter:


I'm a Firefighter (tune of: "I'm a little teapot")

I'm a firefighter
Dressed in red,
With my fire hat
On my head.
I can drive the fire truck,
Fight fires, too,
And help to make things
Safe for you.

Here are more photos from our Fire Station unit

Fun with Dancing Nancy

It's always a treat when Dancing Nancy comes for a visit! Everyone participated and had a lot of fun, even Swooper Cohen (Ally's pet bird)! Nancy warmed us up by having us gallop, hop, twirl, take large/small steps, and walk backward/forward across the room.

After we were all warmed up Nancy gave us each our own hula hoop. We rolled it, jumped in/out of it, balanced it on our head. Then we sat in the hoop and pretended it was a rocket ship that blasted off to the moon! Our arrival back to earth was great timing, since we were all exhausted and hungry! Thank God it was lunch time! Thanks Nancy...see you in September!