let the children play: outdoor music play at preschool

let the children play: outdoor music play at preschool: " This week we got our groove on outdoors. A selection of instruments and pots and pans on the picnic table: The big xylophone and buck..."

Sensory Tables

I've done sensory tables off and on over the years in my home daycare. But never had an actual sensory table - couldn't afford one or didn't have the space for you. What I've used is a rubbermaid container on the floor. Which sometimes with toddlers just doesn't work very well. Recently, after discussing this with some other childcare providers, I got inspired. I went and purchase a white 18 gallon rubbermaid container (on sale even). Then I purchased a 26 qrt clear rubbermaid container. I place the sensory goodies in the smaller container, and placed it on top of the larger container. A great height for the kids to stand up to. I put on the floor a shower curtain to help with clean up. I also put a rubbery cabinet liner between the containers to help with less slipping.

So far, it's been a hit. We've played with the sensory table quite a bit the last couple of weeks. This particular picture is the rice valentine colored sensory table. For February, also have one with artificial rose petals and another with cotton balls.You can see more pictures of February's sensory tables on my FB fan page:
www.facebook.com/pages/Colleens-Country-Kids-Childcare/137192386188

It's very rare to find a child that doesn't like to paint. My experience anyway. I've had a few daycare kids that maybe didn't like touching the paint, but give them something to paint with - then they love to paint. Give a child a blank piece of paper, some paint and something to paint with - then let them create their own "masterpiece."

I love to find a variety of things for the daycare kids to paint with. There are the traditional things: fingers, paint brushes, cookie cutters, sponges and things made for painting.

But then it's fun to come up with things that weren't made for

painting.: Bath sponges, cleaning sponges, toothbrushes, feathers, paint stick sticks, craft sticks, cotton balls, kitchen scrubbers and more. What items can you think of that would be fun to paint with?

Got behind

Well, I'm really behind. Thought about trying to "catch up" but think I'll just start from this point. I do have a facebook daycare fan page too.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Colleens-Country-Kids-Childcare/137192386188
That is more updated if you care to take a look at it.

Will get on here tomorrow and post some pictures of what we've been up too so far this month.

Fall Leaves

Working on next weeks theme of Fall/Autumn Leaves. Have found some really neat activities for us to do online.

I hope I'm doing this correctly, but I wanted to share this blog page. She has some awesome leaves ideas that I do believe we will try here next week.

http://toddlerapproved.blogspot.com/2010/09/autumn-puzzle-leaf-hunt.html

Also scroll down on the left and there are Fall and Leaves labels you can click on for some other awesome ideas.

Recycle

Since becoming a childcare provider, I've also become some what of a packrack. LOL I look at things and think "Hmm? What could we do with this?" Not just for crafts activities, but storage, games, and etc.

I often will eat a frozen diet meal for lunch. I got to keeping the pans thinking this would be handy for something. One of the things I found them useful for was to put paint in when we are painting. Some times I'll wash them out and reuse them. Sometimes I'll just throw them away. I'm sure this idea isn't new to everyone, but wanted to share.

Play

My favorite type of "curriculum" to good old fashion PLAY! Today the kiddos were playing with the dress up clothes but not to dress up in. They were using them to play "hide n' seek." Lots and lots of giggling! In this picture they are hamming it up a bit for the camera. At one point the 2 on the right were under all the shirts. Not sure why Mr. J is so serious in the picture, other than it was getting late in the morning so think he was getting tired.

Not only did they have fun, but lots of vacabulary was used, colors described, positions, opposites and the lists goes on. And all ages could play and enjoy the fun.

"Where did she go?" He found her! Simple fun!Love it!