Cornstarch, Watercolors, and more Visitors!

Highlights of our day

I'm SO pleased with how well the children are doing with our 'structured' handwashing routine now (since licensing will require them to be with me at all times). The children sit nicely in the hallway and wait for their turn, while I'm guiding in the restroom. After they wash their hands, they each go back and sit in the hallway, until we're all finished! If you haven't seen them already, take a look at the pic Melanie took yesterday of them waiting (posted a couple below this post).

Gwen brought in a book, Bunny's Noise Book, to share with the group today. Today was also Gwen's first day to transition to a full day at Casa T. She took nap here and did wonderful!! If you haven't seen it, there's a pic full of sweetness below this post.



Visitors
Che and his Mama, Gale, came to visit the Casa today and were able to enjoy and partake in our art exploration. Thanks for stopping by to play!



Art
In this exploration, the children experienced the magical creation of color. I introduced the children to the materials. The eyedroppers, we've used before, yet, several of the kiddies are still working on figuring out this tool. I demonstrated putting the eyedropper in the water (red, blue, and yellow). Squeezing--and letting go. Showed them how the water goes in! Then lifted it out of the cup and squeezed again--the water comes out. Demonstrated and coached the children to move the water from the cups to the mixing tray. Then the children dove into their experimentation. It wasn't after long that one kiddo realized it would be easier for him to pour the entire cup of colored water into the tray, rather than using the eyedropper. Several others followed suit soon after!

After they explored the water for a good stretch of time, I brought cornstarch in bowls. Some children used spoons to add cornstarch to their mixing trays, others used their hands. We talked about the texture of cornstarch (smooth, silky, lush and soft), and noticed some of their trays had thick, lighter colored liquid than before. Before long, we had a big glob of cornstarch on the table. We noticed that yellow and blue make green, and blue and red make purple! There are many more experiments we're going to be doing with cornstarch. Who would have known such a simple ingredient would lend itself to many opportunities of discovery.





Gratitude
We now have 2 new puzzles--the Leaf and the Tree puzzle! Our botany puzzle collection is complete now.
A *heartfelt* thank you to Mama Melissa for donating these to the Casa!! The children LOVE them! =)




P.S. *YOGA*

Yoga starts next week! Krista had a conflict on her calendar for today, so our official start day is next Tuesday.

Washing Hands and Grandparents

Highlights of our day
We had a very special treat today. Damon's Grandma and Papa made a special stop at the Casa to see where Damon goes to school. They were visiting from Kansas. They had a nice time watching the children interact and play. It was so nice to met you both!

Music (and Singing While We Work)
We sang along to The Wheels on the Bus and the children are fine tuning the hand motions. This is the same tune I use for the handwashing song we sing while we wash our hands.

Practical Life
I've been focusing a great deal on working with the children on washing their own hands and completing the steps on their own. In addition to learning this ' care of self ' skill (and reducing the opportunities for illness, especially during the peak season), in doing these exercises, children are able to integrate and practice a variety of skills while gaining a better understanding of the importance of sequence in completing a task. We sing a couple songs while we do this, mainly this one:

Washing Hands Song (tune of Wheels on the Bus)

This is the way we wash our hands
Wash our hands
Wash our hands

This is the way we wash our hands
After we play outside.

Variations:
(After we use the potty)
(Before we eat lunch)

"Warm Water" is another handwashing song the children are learning, but haven't quite mastered yet. =)

I'm also working on helping the children learn how to dress themselves (i.e. put shoes on, pull undies up, pull pants up after diaper change, etc.). At home, please work with them on this also. They are very excited about what they can do now. Some examples: After a child uses the potty, I will set their undies and pants right-side out and lay them in the direction they will put them on to encourage them to do it with minimal assistance, yet have success as they're beginning this skill. This will help them control their movements and acquire independence. =)

We also have been enjoying singing worksongs while we clean and play. Singing and humming fills the Casa with joy and calmness. Also, singing while we work can help deepen our breathing, balance our life, and help us become more present in the moment. Even when I'm sweeping the floor, instead of looking at it as a daily nuisance of a chore, I sing or hum the Sweeping Song, which gets me IN the task of sweeping, and it's a simple way to practice presence and mindfulness. Being present in mind and heart can make us better parents and teachers.

Try it and see how it makes ya feel! :)

Notes from the Sub

While I was at the Reggio workshop today, Andrea (Mama to Colton) came in and ran things at the house. It was SO strange to leave the children (including my own) with someone else in my place, but I felt very confident knowing the kiddies were in great hands. What was especially comforting was, that Mama Andrea knows all the children, and they know her, so me leaving, was very easy for us all. I thought perhaps Sophia would be clingy or cry as I left. Nope. Even Lulu didn't seem to notice I was heading out. They were all so excited about their visitors today!

I have much to share about what I learned today, and am excited about additional ideas I will implementing and adding to my program, and especially happy about the alliance I have with the owner of the Olive Tree.

What a wonderful and beautiful little school this is going to be! And a great option for S. and Central Austin families. I have Part II of the training on Thursday, but for now, I'll leave the parents with the notes from our 'sub' today. And she even managed to take a few pics. ;)

Andrea, thank you for coming in.

*The beautiful tree in their playground.


All went quite well today! Seemed everyone was on best behavior…er…except for my son who needed reminding of the rules at Casa T. I am sure that was partly due to Mama being the “teacher” today! No accidents but we did have some splashing around the potty and some paint mess so those towels are on top of the washing machine.

Everyone ate well and Sophia opted to eat some of Colton’s quesadillas so that is why her lunch looks barely touched.

I only got Lauren, Colton and Austin to reach in the pumpkin once and then they refused. Austin said it was too messy and Lauren said it was yucky…lol. They did enjoy rinsing the seeds in the strainer and tossing them with a bit of brown sugar and cinnamon before baking.

I read the “Pumpkin Time” book immediately prior to our Pumpkin exploration which was a nice segue as they seemed excited to see the seeds inside. I wanted to capture some pics but then for the first time ever I had low batteries and so just got a few!

Austin put eyes on his bat and then while working on starting Gwen’s Colton added some of his own artwork to her paper so she may need a do-over! The white painting on black paper is Lauren’s picture of Austin’s ghost that he told us all about today.

All in all Colton and I enjoyed ourselves.
Andrea


Photos by Andrea H.

Leaf Lanterns, Visitors, and Aprons

Art
What the children created this week.



Aprons and Gratitude
Mama Allison arrived this morning with a gift for the casa. We have some aprons! Thank you!! Now the kiddies don't have to run around shirtless when we do art. ;) And of course, they HAD to model them right away!





Leaf Lanterns
We're continuing to work on our lanterns.
They're looking really cool.



Visitors
Today, we had a special treat.
Ryland and his mommy came over to play for a little while.