December 2014

This month in Rosa we spent a lot of time singing and talking about turkeys.  The toddlers really enjoyed our “Gobble, Gobble” song and requested it almost daily.  In the song the turkey’s head wobbled, his feet scratched the ground for bugs, his wings flapped, and of course he gobbled a lot.  We sang the song in class and while outside, often when walking back to class.  We also created colorful hand turkeys that were displayed in the classroom for all to see.  The toddlers worked hard to glue paper feathers onto the cut out.  Being able to see their work displayed in class encourages conversation and a chance for them to take ownership over their creations.  

We continued working on our grace and courtesy with lots of please, thank you, and excuse me to be heard.  Many of the toddlers are very into helping their friends get ready to go outside.  They usually try to help their friends with shoes and coats.  For the most part, this help is accepted and it is nice to see the toddlers willing to let their friends help them.  As a result, all of the toddlers are attempting to do things for themselves in getting ready before getting too frustrated in the process before asking for adult help. 

Bead stringing has become a popular work in class.  Large wooden beads and a lace are available work on the shelf.  They are easy for little fingers to hold onto while trying to figure out how to maneuver the lace through them.  There have also been times when much smaller beads are available for toddlers to work with.  These smaller beads are strung onto a pipe cleaner that helps to grip the bead and then easily slides down.  When a friend becomes frustrated in starting to string their beads, there is always someone close by who is more than willing to help them.  Often the toddler who is having a difficult time will ask another child who is diligently focused on stringing.  It is wonderful to see the toddlers so eager to help their fiends when they are in need.  Both bead works provide great opportunities for the toddlers to practice fine motor skills and have fun at the same time!  The toddlers love to show off what they have made.


In December we will be working on a special creation to give to our loved ones, discover new books and get lots of practice putting on mittens and gloves with the much colder weather that has come to the Pacific Northwest.  With the cooler weather we will also be talking about and creating art involving different shapes and snowmen.  

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