We pack a lot into a one hour class.
Each week centers around a different age-appropriate theme. We begin class by sitting together on the blanket to listen to a story and learn about the topic of the day. Often this time is interactive, including the felt board or manipulatives to keep the children engaged and to add more understanding to the story.
In "Kids in the Kitchen" we will then wash and work together to create a child friendly snack. We will learn about food safety, and the children will mix and measure everything themselves. We will discuss lots of new vocabulary words, numbers, and colors while we work. Sometimes children will have to wait a short amount of time for their turn, and they will practice being patient and engaged in the successes of others,
Then we will move on to center time. In "Preschool Adventures" we move right from story time to stations as there is no culinary component. Each class will have 5-7 stations.
There are no pre-cut pieces or models for kids to follow. I encourage the children to use their imagination and problem solving skills to create, while guiding the adults through various ways to engage the child. Some projects will be suitable to take home, while others will be process art. There are also always sensory activities and manipulatives that accompany the theme. Many are custom made so that all of the projects work together. Children and their adult are free to work their way through these stations at their own pace. I will offer new ideas and ways to explore on an individual basis to help challenge each student and help them to progress.
The last portion of "Preschool Adventures" is spent doing a large motor activity such as a dance, circle game, or using the parachute. In "Kids in the Kitchen" we will come together to sample our snack. Everyone is encouraged to take a bite. After that, a "no thank you" is allowed if they don't wish to eat any more. The day after class an e-mail is sent which lists any books, recipes, or ideas that will help families extend the learning at home.
In "Kids in the Kitchen" we will then wash and work together to create a child friendly snack. We will learn about food safety, and the children will mix and measure everything themselves. We will discuss lots of new vocabulary words, numbers, and colors while we work. Sometimes children will have to wait a short amount of time for their turn, and they will practice being patient and engaged in the successes of others,
Then we will move on to center time. In "Preschool Adventures" we move right from story time to stations as there is no culinary component. Each class will have 5-7 stations.
There are no pre-cut pieces or models for kids to follow. I encourage the children to use their imagination and problem solving skills to create, while guiding the adults through various ways to engage the child. Some projects will be suitable to take home, while others will be process art. There are also always sensory activities and manipulatives that accompany the theme. Many are custom made so that all of the projects work together. Children and their adult are free to work their way through these stations at their own pace. I will offer new ideas and ways to explore on an individual basis to help challenge each student and help them to progress.
The last portion of "Preschool Adventures" is spent doing a large motor activity such as a dance, circle game, or using the parachute. In "Kids in the Kitchen" we will come together to sample our snack. Everyone is encouraged to take a bite. After that, a "no thank you" is allowed if they don't wish to eat any more. The day after class an e-mail is sent which lists any books, recipes, or ideas that will help families extend the learning at home.
Themes include:
Dinosaurs
Construction If You Give a Mouse a Cookie Thanksgiving Spring Under the Sea Going on a Bear Hunt Music Summer Celebrate the USA Bugs Bubbles |
The Gingerbread Man
The Mitten Apples Dr. Seuss Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Are You My Mother? Go Away Big Green Monster Winter There's No Place Like Space Backwards Day Wildcard Week |
Valentine's Day
All About Me Pigsty Color Mixing Water Science Five Senses Something Good Kitchen Fun Fall Strega Nona Bunnies and Baskets |
Favorite recipes:
muffin tin omlettes
zucchini cookies mini apple pies fried snowflakes cauliflower tots pasta soup pizza muffins rainbow toast spaghetti cups brownie bowls |
meat loaf volcanoes
pumpkin cookies baked pretzels energy balls hedgehog bread lasagna roll ups ice cream snowball cookies popcorn chicken home made butter |
oatmeal pizza
pineapple upside down cakes fruit salsa and tortilla chips green smoothies banana muffins yogurt nests fruit and veggie pops thumbprint cookies popovers tortilla pinwheels |