Toddler ADM: January 2020

Hello!

Usually the month of January seems to last forever, but this past has really flown by– time flies when you’re having fun! This past month we have had some children from the Primary ADM classroom visit our room to bake with us and work with the toddlers. We have also changed the layout of our classroom by adding more trees and nature. Below you will see that we began our Auction project, which has ignited much interest in painting (I’m sure you have seen some of the work coming home). Recently, we have added an individual baking work in the morning. This is a 1 person work, and is only available to one child. The work is setup on our blue counter with the ingredients ready for the child to mix. A child will pour all of the ingredients into a bowl, mix them together, and then scoop the batter into a mini muffin tray. Once the child fills up the muffin tray, they will wash all of the dishes, and then clean off the blue counter. It is a long work and very tiring, but also very rewarding. The muffins are ready to be eaten at the end of lunch, with some extra for the baker to bring home to share with their family. 

Favorite Books

The Usual Suspects:

Take Me Out to the Ballgame, Dumptruck Disco, The Journey Home from Grandpa’s, and We All Go Traveling By.  

Newly Interested Books:

Not Quite Narwhal by Jessie Sima

Baby Goes to Market by Atinuke and Angela Brooksbank

Ahn’s Anger by Gail Silver

Children have been asking to paint their anger, which is very therapuetic. You may see a collection of paintings coming home entitled, “My Anger,” but it does not mean your child was angry that day; this means your child was identifying an emotion through color. If your child is angry and wants to express it through painting, we will let you know. Since this began, we have also been asking which colors represent their other emotions: “What color is your happy?” “What color is your bored?” 

Valentine’s Day Tradition

It has been a tradition in the Toddler Program to donate a book to your child’s classroom. Please know that we do not expect a donation, but just wanted to share with you how we celebrate Valentine’s Day. Each teacher makes a list of desired books and parents may choose to purchase a book from the list. If you wish to participate, we inlcuded a link to our list; but also know you can donate a book that is not included on that list. Also, if you donate a book, please write an inscription on the title page with your child’s name and the year– when reading books at circle, we always read the inscription.

Click here to view our list: Valentine’s Day 

Painting silhouettes for the Auction Project 

Your children have been singing “Take me out to the ballgame” since September– so much, that us adults hear it in our sleep! So naturally, we decided that we would create a visual of their favorite song using their silhouettes. For our auction painting this year, your children are finally going to ballgame! 

Movement with Mr. Julian 

On Wednesdays we join Mr. Julian in the movement room for Movement day. On days when the weather is too cold, or too rainy for us to go outside, Mr. Julian joins the toddler classrooms for a gross motor circle– this way each classroom can utilize the movement room for morning recess. Here is a glimpse of what happens during Movement. 

Watering plants 

A goal for our environment was to bring more nature into our classroom and we have succeded in doing so thanks to all of you and your monetary gifts before Winter Break. Since we have added more plants, the children have taken interest in caring for them. There is so much that goes into taking care of a plant that exceeds just caring for the enviornment.

• Carrying smaller plants from the shelves to a table (balance and coordination, as well as fine motor control)
• Filling up a pitcher with water and carefully carrying it through the classroom (balance, coordination, and body control)
• Squeezing the nozzle of a spray bottle to spray the leaves of the trees (eye-hand coordination and fine motor control)
• Retracing steps with a towel to wipe up any spills (memory, order of operations, fine motor control, and independence)
• Gross motor control and coordination is a huge element, as children are continuously walking, standing, and squatting. 
• This also strenthens a child’s confidence, maturity, and self-calming. 

Enjoy the slideshow below!

Diaper Notices:

Please note that when a diaper notice is sent out, we need more diapers for your child. By law we are required to change children every 2 hours– so your child receives a minimum of 4 diapers per day, or a minimum of 20 diapers per week; and if there are bowel movements, there will be additional diapers used. Please let us know how we can help to ensure that your child has their diapers and we do not have to borrow from other children’s supplies. If sending in a bulk supply would be best for you, please let us know. Dominique and I are rearranging the cabinet space in the bathroom and are able to make room for extra supplies. Thank you for understanding the urgency in this message!

Important Upcoming Dates:

• February 3rd-7th: Michelle Nowacky is out for Spring Break 
  • Please direct all questions to Ms. Dominique
• Thursday, February 13th: Coffee with Michelle Nowacky and Dominique Wells at 8:15-9 am
  • If you have any topics, specific situations, or questions that you would like for us to discuss during the coffee, please email us.
• Friday, February 14th: School is OPEN! GTMS Professional Development day was moved to February 28th.
• Monday, February 17th: GTMS is closed for all students (President’s Day)
• Monday, February 24th: Parent Observations begin 
• Friday, February 28th: GTMS is closed for all students (Professional Development day for staff). We will be attending the NAIS (National Association for Independent Schools) conference!! 
• Friday, March 13th: GTMS Annual Auction!! 

Thank you so much!

Michelle and Dominique