Sink or Float

On Tuesday, February 28, 2012 we will:

• Discuss what we think the following words mean: sink, float, predict, observe.
• Make predictions for each object, do we think it will sink or float?
• Test our predictions by placing objects in a large plastic tub filled with water.
• Make a chart of our discoveries.
• Ask why do you think objects sink or float?

You can check out some background information and activities here.

Ideas for home:

• Most preschoolers love asking questions and experimenting, and children learn by doing! Use your children's questions to prompt your own experiments at home. It can be as simple as a container of water and objects that sink or float, or a more complicated activity of hatching eggs. My tips for experimenting with preschoolers: 
• Science for preschoolers should be focused on asking questions and finding answers (making predictions, observations, and making conclusions).
• Resist the urge to just explain it to them, and let them explore and come to their own conclusions. Guide them by asking questions such as "What will happen if we do this?" "Why do you think that happened?" "How should we do this?"
• It's okay if you don't have the answers! Learn along with your children. Learning with children is an incredible bonding experience and allows children to witness your excitement, eagerness, and openness to learning. Parents are children's first teachers and you set the foundation for your child to become a lifelong learner!
• In our house, if you don't know... then you figure it out :)
• Bath time is an easy way to experiment with sink or float. Have children find objects around the house to bring in the tub with them (within reason, of course). Make predictions and test out the theories.
• Go to your local library and check out some books. I was surprised how many books we found that were dedicated to experimenting with preschoolers. They were simple ideas that used items you have at home anyways.
• Check out these sites for more ideas:
• http://www.brainpopjr.com/
• http://www.teachpreschoolscience.com/index.html
• http://www.amazing-preschool-activities.com/preschool-science.html
• http://www.education.com/activity/preschool/science/

"To raise new questions, new possibilities, to regard old problems from a new angle, requires creative imagination and marks real advance in science."
Albert Einstein

Read more: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/questions.html#ixzz1nWJXKeNb

Sweet Hearts

On Tuesday, February, 14 we will:

• Sing good morning songs
• Read "Sweet Hearts" by Jan Carr
• Make "Love Bug Finger Puppets"
• Go on a letter hunt and match the letters we find.
• Enjoy a sweet Valentine treat :)

Home ideas for fun with preschoolers:

• Printable coloring pages
• Make Valentine Pancakes with Maple-Raspberry Sauce
• Cooking with children is always a wonderful bonding experience and loaded with opportunities for children to develop math and reading skills. Here are some great tips.
• Hand print poem
• Play "Pin the Heart on Cupid."
• Play "Find Your Heart Mate." Cut out hearts from construction paper. Cut hearts in half using different angles. Have children find the matches!
• Heart Flashcards I plan on using these for alphabet hide-n-seek games. Write each letter of the alphabet on a heart, hide it around the house, and children match the letters on their alphabet poster. You could also play hide-n-seek numbers using the same idea, or hide the letters of their name!
• Sorting Hearts and Same/different I like to use these types of activities right before or after dinner, when it is helpful (to ME) to have the kids engaged in a quiet activity!
• Valentine's Day Pre-K pack These "Pre-K packs" have great designs and are focused on developmentally appropriate skills (in my opinion) for ages 3-5. Some children enjoy this type of "school work" as my daughter calls it. MY word of caution: I think these types of work pages should be done with a fun and pressure free attitude. Some children might not be ready, or they might not enjoy it. If they are pushed to complete them, then the opportunity for learning is lost.

Have fun using your imaginations and PLAY, PLAY, PLAY!!

Check out this article from NPR on the importance of old-fashioned play. Google "importance of play" and you'll find some great articles. Happy reading!

The Year of the Dragon

Chinese new year is a holiday that celebrates the beginning of a new year, according to the lunar calendar. The start of the new year changes every year. For 2012, the new year started on January 23. From what I have read, most families who observe Chinese New Year celebrate for 2 weeks. You can find some more info here and here.

On Tuesday, February 7 we will:

• Read "Dragon Dance" by Joan Holub
• Make Chinese lanterns and or fans.
• Enjoy a snack of oranges and noodles.
• Oranges for luck and wealth; long uncut noodles represent longevity and long life.
• Look at the Chinese Zodiac to see what animal was assigned the year you were born.

Ideas for Home:

• Incorporate some homemade Chinese food into your meals at home. We are going to try Dumplings. Find more recipes here and here.
• CLEAN!! One of the traditions I love about Chinese New Year, is the custom to clean the whole house from top to bottom. This clears the house of last year's bad luck or misfortunes and makes way for good luck in the new year. So give your kids the dusters, brooms, and sponges and have FUN!!! Turn on some music and do "Dance cleaning" or maybe you can come up with some "cleaning characters" and act out how that character cleans.
• Make Festive Ribbon Dragons. These are really neat, I can't wait to make these!
• Explore the Chinese Zodiac

Have fun playing and let you little ones be your guide!

"Children are great imitators. So give them

something great to imitate."