Preschoolers Learn about the Human Body

Our preschool class is moving on to a new science topic and will be learning all about the human body. 

Teachers traced each child’s body.

The children cut out their bodies and then attached them to the mirror in the gym.

This week the children are learning about the circulatory system.  After watching a video of a model heart pumping on the classroom’s ipad they they colored a heart diagram.

The hearts were cut out and glued to the children’s paper bodies.   More heart experiments are planned for this week.  

Over the next two to three months the children will have many opportunities to learn about individual organs as well as the skeletal, nervous, and muscular systems.  The preschoolers will explore the 5 senses, and then we’ll end the unit learning how to stay healthy.  Some of the staying healthy topics include germs, nutrition, and exercise.

Little Pandas Preschool

Parent Christmas Gifts

Both the toddler and preschool classes made family snowman wall hangings for their parent’s Christmas gifts.  The family names have been edited out of the photo.  I found this idea at that artist woman: Family Snowman Portraits.  Gail did this project with second graders, but I thought we could try it with our preschoolers.  It took two weeks for all the kids to finish the project, but it was really worth the effort!

Blue and white acrylic paint was mixed to get the perfect blue sky color.  The children painted the entire 11″ x 14″ canvas (purchased at Michael’s) blue.

A contact paper mask was placed over the blue allowing the children to paint the snow at the bottom of the canvas.

The teachers cut circles out of foam purchased at the fabric store and then the children created a snowman for each member of their family.

Construction paper clothing was added to each snowman.  Family names were added to the canvas and then covered with a clear coat of Mod Podge.  Some glitter was sprinkled over the wet clear coat to add some sparkle.   I really loved the way this project turned out and will do it again in a few years with another group of preschoolers.

 

Melted Crayon Art

Last week the children created melted crayon collages on canvas boards.  I saw this idea at Teach Preschool and thought it would be a perfect activity for December when the kids are exploring color and light.

Children chose the colors they wanted and then used a cool glue gun to attach the crayons to the canvas.

A hair dryer was used to melt the crayons.

The finished collages are wonderful!

Little Pandas Preschool

Zoo Phonics Bendaroos

The Bendaroos were added to our language arts center this week.  Zoo Phonics cards were printed and laminated.

Bendaroos are pieces of string or wire that are covered with a thick coat of colored wax.  This was the first time the children used them, so some kids were more interested in exploring the new media.

Other children chose one of the Zoo Phonics cards to work with.  They laid out the Bendaroos onto the cards to form the letter.  Currently the children are learning letters m, b, t, d, h, and p.

I found the Bendaroos at our local learning supply store.

Little Pandas Preschool

Infant/Toddler Teething Rings

I don’t usually write posts for or about the little ones enrolled in our baby home, but I found the coolest item when I took my 14 year old to see her pediatrician this morning.  The teething ring/toddler toothbrush pictured above was in the display cabinet.   What a great way to help a child become accustomed to inserting a toothbrush in his/her mouth.  And yes, I know toddlers will put anything into their mouths, but when it comes to brushing many will fight it.  I should know as the 14 year old was a prime example of a toddler/preschooler who fought the toothbrushing and dental visits.  It cost me a $50.00 Tinkerbell Halloween costume to get the first dental xrays!  And that was after several visits where she refused to put the films in her mouth.  Our dentist eventually sent films home for her to practice with!

While looking for these teething rings online I came across Dental Care for Infants and Children.  It addresses the importance of caring for baby teeth.   Through all the years of operating our child care homes I have seen a few cases of children’s teeth becoming decayed to the point where those children had to endure preventable dental work.  For this reason Little Pandas Preschool encourages parents to wean their children off bottles as soon as possible.  While at school children consume all liquids and food at the table and are not permitted to carry those items into the play areas.

I found the teething rings at 900-902 Infant Safety Brushes – Tess Oral Health – Infant brush, Brush teether combo brush, Safety toothbrush.  I’ll have to  do some more research to see if I can find a site where they can be purchased in smaller quantities.  They may be available from your child’s pediatrician or dentist.

Little Pandas Preschool

Unit Blocks

This school year we’re updating the blocks and related toys in our block center.  We’ve already added some more Brio trains and a Quadrilla marble run.  Last week a new set of unit blocks arrived.

It must have felt like Christmas to the kids.  They were very excited to open the boxes.

The kids spent the rest of the day building.

The older boys were very focused on their work and built some interesting and complex structures.

Even the youngest ones built some very significant structures.

The block center provides the children with many opportunities for group interaction and cooperative play.

Little Pandas Preschool

Pumpkin Pie Playdough!

Amber and I made pumpkin pie playdough for the kids.  We added cloves, ginger and cinnamon to the dough and some orange food coloring.   The result was absolutely wonderful and smelled delicious.  The kids loved it and had a difficult time leaving the center to let friends have turns with it!

They loved rolling out the dough and pretending to cook.

Pie tins were filled.

The dough had to be rolled again once it was put into the tins.

After the pie was finished it was time to share the desert!  We’ll have to make real pumpkin pies next week before Thanksgiving.

The playdough recipe we used is one of the best we have ever found and have been using it for years.  It’s very easy and quick to make.  It would be a great project for parents to do with kids at home.

Cream of Tartar Playdough

• 1 cups flour
• 1 cups water 
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 tbsp cream of tartar
• 1/2 cup salt
• food coloring
• flavorings (0ptional)

Place all ingredients in a large pan.  Cook slowly on medium-high heat and stir until the playdough thickens.  Remove the playdough from the pan and knead on floured surface until it’s no longer sticky.  Playdough can be stored in a plastic bag.

Little Pandas Preschool