While we regularly focus on social-emotional development, we especially like to highlight our theme of love, cooperation, and friendship in February!
Check out our "ME Books" where the children articulate things they like about themselves and that are special to them.
Check out our "ME Books" where the children articulate things they like about themselves and that are special to them.
The kids really spent some time pondering what it is they liked about themselves!
Love Affirmation Yoga
This heart opening sequence was inspired by Kids Yoga Stories with postures to help release emotions, build confidence, and open our hearts to receive love.
Triangle Pose - "I am open minded"
Warrior Pose - "I am strong"
Chair Pose - "I am happy"
Table Pose - "I am balanced"
Happy Baby Pose - "I am safe"
Resting Pose - "I am calm"
Loving Kindness Breath
"Close your eyes and begin to tune in to the sound of your breath.
Take a deep breath in and slowly exhale for five counts.
On your next exhale, think of filling yourself with love.
On the next exhale, think of sending love and kindness to someone close to you.
Then on the next exhale, think of sending love and kindness to someone you might be upset with (some of the kids chose fireants!).
Then send love and kindness out to the world around you, the animals, the trees, your neighbors, and your city.
Lastly, send out love and kindness to the whole planet!"
One of our favorite fingerplays to sing at Circle Time is "Love grows". Ask the kids to teach it to you :)
"Love" (hands on heart)
"grows" (hands spread wide)
" 1 by 1" (hold up 1 finger on each hand)
"2 by 2" (hold up 2 fingers in each hand)
"and 4 by 4" (hold out 4 fingers in each hand)
"Love..." (hands at heart)
"...grows..." (arms spread wide)
" round like a circle" (make a circle with your finger)
" and comes back knocking at your front door" (knock on pretend door)
Emotion Drawing
We explored different feelings with pictures and art!
These great books helped us recognize different emotions and gave us tools for how to respond to them. It was amazing how many sincere apologies were shared after reading Zach Apologizes by William Mulcahy!
Friendship Poster
This collaborative art project was thoroughly enjoyed by all!
Cooperative Games
Cooperative Musical Chairs - The goal of this game is to share (not compete for) the remaining chairs when the music ends.
Robot Game - Split up into pairs, take turns with one child being the commander and the other child being the robot. The commander tells the robot how to move so he or she can get around obstacles to reach a predetermined goal.
Cooperative Play
As they share space and resources, the children are constantly practicing communication skills and learning how to cooperate and play together.
Gardening together...
Science Experiments Together!
Can paper go under water without getting wet?
"It's a miracle! The paper is still completely dry!"
If the cup is pushed straight down, it will form a pocket of air in the cup and the paper will stay dry.
If the cup is pushed straight down, it will form a pocket of air in the cup and the paper will stay dry.
How can we show that water molecules really do move from areas that they are squished close together to areas where there is more space? This is called diffusion.
What is your hypothesis? Do you think the molecules will find more space in the center jar? What color will that water be?
After 24 hours the jars had the same water level and diffusion ended!
ABC puzzles together!
Writing our ABC's in the foreground, ABC magnets in the background!
Sweet friends!
Cooperative Cooking
These simple Grain-free Brownies were so yummy! Cooking class improves our ability to follow directions and encourages teamwork, patience, and self control.
Step 1 - Oil the pan with coconut oil so the brownies don't stick to the pan.
Step 2 - In a large bowl, whisk together 1 cup almond butter, 1/3 cup honey, 1 egg, 2 TBSP melted ghee, and 1 tsp vanilla.
Step 3 - Stir in 1/3 cup cocoa powder and 1/2 tsp baking soda.
Step 4 - Stir in 1/4 cup chocolate chips.
Step 5 - Pour the batter into a 9-inch baking pan. Bake for 20-23 minutes at 325 degrees, until the brownie is done, but still soft in the middle.
Step 6 - Garnish with more chocolate chips and enjoy with your friends :)
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