GTMS Life > News July 5, 2022

Toddler ADM: June 2022

“Children are born naturalists. They explore the world with all of their senses, experiment in the environment, and communicate their discoveries to those around them.” The Audubon Nature Preschool Deep inhale…slow exhale… June had no shortage of special ceremonies, activities and transitions but we made it. The past two weeks have been spent settling into […]

“Children are born naturalists. They explore the world with all of their senses, experiment in the environment, and communicate their discoveries to those around them.” The Audubon Nature Preschool

Deep inhale…slow exhale…

June had no shortage of special ceremonies, activities and transitions but we made it. The past two weeks have been spent settling into our new space at Greene Towne East. The children are quickly picking up the new routine, socializing even more with one another, and making their own discoveries as they explore new works in the classroom and the outdoor space on the roof deck.

The biggest change for us is the privilege to enjoy time outdoors twice a day! In the morning and the afternoon the children are navigating how to play with one friend or a small group of friends, how to take turns using chalk or playing on the playground equipment, and how to care for the garden (watering the plants, learning about the worm bin and what it means to compost, picking produce and flowers when they’re ready). During this time, children are free to explore, improve on gross motor skills, play independently, and safely take risks with adequate adult supervision.

Many of the children were hesitant about the climbing wall but with some guidance and encouragement they have been pushing themselves to try over and over again. Now many of them scamper right up and over to go down the slide and repeat ad nauseam. Thank you to Shar Hampton for capturing some of the amazing pictures below of the children exploring the playdeck!

Before moving campuses the children spent some time reading books and discussing how to make pizza. Each child had a chance at circle to share their favorite pizza topping- “cheese,” “blueberries,” “pepperoni,” “pineapple” to share a few. There was certainly some buzz created around making pizzas at school, maybe even dessert pizzas to include all of our favorite fruits. Last week, we talked about the ingredients needed to purchase from the grocery store, whiel some friends helped to gather basil from our rooftop garden, now we were in business! For the recipe we used English muffins, a jar of pizza sauce, shredded mozzarella, and our fresh basil. There is so much room for creativity here whether you choose to make your own dough or sauce, add even more toppings, and eat as a snack, like we did, or pizza night with the family! Here are some pictures of the children assembling and trying their personal pizza:

As of late, the children have really enjoyed exploring and talking about shapes. When making the pizzas many pointed out it was a circle and when folding our towels a child exclaimed, “It looks like square!” (from featured book below). While reading other stories they will point out shapes they see in the pictures, while building with magnatiles and blocks or creating with playdough, shapes are always discussed. This can be extended at home while cooking together or while out driving or walking by pointing out various shapes together. The opportunities are endless for learning new shapes or sparking a conversation. Pictured below are the books that started it all:

Mac Barnett’s Shape Trilogy

In between these moments the children have been working independently and developing greater concentration, coordination and order. They have also started water play, art with Ms. Cherise (windsock), and Soccer Shots (Fridays). Please enjoy these pictures, taken between North and East campuses, of your children working.

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