Learning to play together . . .

Below the boys play house together.

We mixed up some new play dough . . .

Taking turns stirring - we count to 5 as we stir.

We began some eye-hand coordination activities - beading is great for this and the children took to it quickly - good job!!

Molly went from frustratingly dropping her beads on the ground to making a very long beaded necklace that she is admiring on herself in the mirror below.  At 2.5 years old, this group shows an amazing amount of focus and determination!

Colin added some pictures to our scrapbook enthusiastically.  Our scrapbooks will serve as a way for us to take ownership and pride in our activity this year, as well as a way to reflect and add validity and meaning to our endeavors as they progress.

The M/W group (just had one day this week due to Labor Day) made a plan for our outdoor mural and began painting it.



Noe and Hazel work on the mountains . . .

Suddenly they all wanted to sit on the brown chair!

Hazel has been drawing "hop-scotch" for us outside . . .

More togetherness play acting outside.

The water table offers great sensory activity.

Molly and Jackson played nicely with the babies.

We had fun running down the ramp!

. . . and learning to wipe off the white board together - helping!

The T/Th group did a gluing project together - squeezing the glue out is actually a great hand strengthening activity and knowing to put things on the glue is a learning process . . .again, they had great focus here.

Another great week progressing towards becoming a cohesive group!  Yay!

OUR FIRST WEEK!

First days . . .

The first days of preschool are filled with transition and discovery.  The children are re-adjusting to the environment and discovering each other!

Below, Jackson finds that he can "swing himself" on his tummy.

Molly modeled for Sinh how to get on the swing and then sweetly gave him pushes.  Later I overheard them talking about their home sand boxes.  Molly likes to make sand castles in hers and Sinh has "diggers" in his sand box!

We inaugurated "Mud Kitchen" with a nice shelf from Noe's family and some repurposed cookware.  We plan on making lots of "mud pies" and "leaf soup" here!

Colin and Jack shared a moment painting together at the easel.

Our M/W glass helped to spruce up the playground by helping to plant and water some flowers for the outside entrance.

As planned, the M/W class also began work on an outdoor mural.  Below they are sanding the sides of the piece of wood...

We replenished our play dough-making supplies.

Sifting flour for out play dough.

Snack time is a good time to have conversation!

Colin and Jack got around to sharing the trains nicely!

Nice picture, Hazel!

Already our M/W group is doing things together - below, Colin initiated his daily "picnic."

Colin helped to get water for Mud Kitchen and watering our flowers.

Sinh was extremely focused on play dough!

I was impressed with his ability to make meticulous snakes!

Molly is an excellent doctor!

and she enjoyed some painting, as well!

Lucas and Jackson got together in the kitchen.

We practice washing hands procedure...

Drawing together!

We learn to stay with the grown up and hold the railing as we navigate the stairs...

Hello!

Wednesday we began decorating our chain-link fence.

"Leaf soup!"

Painting a base color together for our mural.  We are learning that sometimes we make a picture together and sometimes on our own!

As the children play with the play dough together, they naturally interact with make-believe play.  Below, Jack is having his pig talk to Noe's zebra!

Jackson helped to fill the water table.

A wonderful start to the school year!