Sensory Exploration

 This week we all came back from break with great enthusiasm. There were lots of hugs and kisses and happy greetings! Even though we had a long break, we were back in our routine quickly and easily.

We have enjoyed a week full of sensory play. We've played with playdough, moonsand, water and paint. Scarlett and Mina rolled playdough out together while Mina sang a rolling song that she made up as she went. Our sensory table was filled with moonsand and we made birthday cakes for each other and sang Happy Birthday. We painted large rocks with brushes, sponges and our hands as well. Everyone enjoys water play outdoors pouring, dumping, transferring and splashing. We must take turns with containers and let each other know when we don't want to get wet. We explore what we can do with watering cans, funnels, sieves and buckets.

All of this sensory play allows us to explore and make sense of the world around us through our physical senses. In                                                                             addition, it provides opportunities for problem solving,                                                                           language development, social interaction and development of                                                                 gross motor skills. Most importantly, it contributes to brain                                                                           development and cognitive growth.

Our sense of community and competence grew this week at mealtime.  Zoe and Mina joined in to wash the tables and sweep the floor and soon everyone was helping. Preparing for snack is now a group effort that gives everyone a feeling of accomplishment and pride!

We are growing and changing every day in the very best ways!                

Pesach

We have a new friend in the Peach room. Tzippy has joined our class. We are so glad to have her with us and she is so happy to be at school!

This week as Pesach approaches, we made place mats to bring home. We painted them with sponges and brushes and added our hand prints and pictures. We've been curious about the pictures of the pyramids of Egypt that are on our wall and we molded "pyramids" of sand in the sensory table with orange cones and sand. In our play kitchen area friends have been busy putting matzah in our afikomen and we've played a game of hiding the afikomen and finding it. And in our classroom library we're becoming familiar with Pesach items with our Pesach counting book ( 1 cup, 2 hagadahs, 3 matzos...)

This week dress up was popular in the dramatic play area as was caring for teddy bears and dolls. We painted rocks, made moon sand and did finger plays with finger puppets as well.

This was a busy week and it flew by quickly! Thank you to Morah Shoshona for helping out in our room these last two weeks. And a very heartfelt thanks to the Luedy family for the wonderful stacking toy which they donated to our classroom. It is getting lots of happy use!

We look forward to seeing you all after break!