Coatsworth

Climbing

In the Under 2 environment, we foster the need for climbing and exploration by encouraging the infants to practice climbing in a safe manner. Here we see the children using the stairs and indoor slide in the classroom to further develop their balance, coordination, and gross motor skills. (Please click for more information and the full photos.)

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Hanukkah

We learned how to play the Dreidel game and what each Hebrew symbol represents. We read stories and learned about the traditions, foods, and meanings involved. We used the shamash (middle candle) on our menorah to light one candle on each of the 8 days of Hanukkah. (Please click for full photos and more information.)

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Bank Game

The initial play relies on previous knowledge and experience with the units, 10 bars, 100 squares and 1000 cubes. The child receives a verbal request to bring one of the four quantities. As the child becomes more familiar with the game, the teacher will increase the challenge by including 2, 3 and finally all 4 quantities as the child learns to use the decimal placement mat to place the material in its corresponding places. (Please click for the full photos.)

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Caring for Fish

In the U3 community, we have an aquarium and the children can watch, feed, and help keep their home clean. Observing, caring for, and feeding living things teaches children compassion, respect, and patience as well as responsibility and caretaking. It can be therapeutic, lower blood pressure, reduce anxiety, and improve mood. (Please click for full photos and information.)

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Care of the Outdoor Environment

The children in Under 2 help to care for their outdoor environment by using hand brooms and dustpans to collect leaves and sticks and place them in yard waste bags. Care of outdoor environment exercises foster love for the environment and help children connect and engage with nature. (Click for more photos and info.)

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Dinosaur Eggs!

The Casa children explored a fun dinosaur egg experiment outdoors during our dinosaur themed week. The children each received a dino “egg” made of baking soda and frozen water. To uncover the dinos, the children used eye droppers and “magic water” (diluted vinegar) to dissolve the “egg” and reveal different dinosaurs inside!

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Summer Program

For the months of July and August, we are implementing a fun summer program! Every week we cover a fun theme through crafts, songs, stories, and inventive activities based on that theme. We also have Sprinkler and Water Table Days to help us cool off in the summer heat and have fun while we are at it!

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Butterflies!

The children experienced and observed the life cycle of a butterfly in real time. The children watched as caterpillars ate their way through the “molting” stage and transitioned into the pupa or chrysalis stage. After the grand arrival of the butterfly, we set them free in the playground on a warm day! (Please click for more information and the full photos.)

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Sign Language

Sign language is incorporated into daily interactions in the Under 2 community. We use sign language while we work on activities, share meals, play, and throughout the day. Sign language helps the children express their needs, wants, and feelings, and allows a whole new world of communication. Infants who understand and infants who are understood are happy infants! (Please click for more information and full photos.)

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Pythagoras Square

The Pythagoras Square is a beautiful, colourful sensorial expression of the multiplication table. It consists of 10 squares and 90 rectangles. Once the child has completed the Pythagoras Square, they may colour the corresponding worksheet to bring home their own Pythagoras Square. (Please click to find out more!)

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