Sensory play: Autumn Leaves

We brought nature inside as we filled the tables and sensory play boxes in the classroom with autumn-related items (autumn leaves, acorns and other nuts, rocks and stones, pine cones, etc.).

They stimulated our senses, increasing the sensory inputs into the brain. Everything smelled incredible and different, the leaves were vibrant fall colors, each item had a distinct texture, and the leaves made crunchy noises.

Tongs, chopsticks, and spoons were added to the boxes to encourage fine motor development.

It was great fun to sift through the leaves to find various objects. Empty jars were placed in the sensory boxes to encourage children to, for example, count how many acorns they found by placing them one-by-one in the jar.

If you try this at home, please do so with close supervision as toddlers may put small objects in their mouth.

Fall Festival - collages

(click on collages to enlarge them)

 

Parent workshop: 2s & Toddlers Information Night

We’re having a

2s & Toddlers Information Night

Tuesday, October 19th 7:00PM – 8:00PM

How can I best support my child at home in reinforcing what s/he is learning at school? What are Windsor’s major academic and non-academics goals for two-year-olds? What is a developmental assessment and how is Windsor implementing it this year? What are ways for me as a parent to get involved at Windsor, form closer ties with teachers, and improve home-school communication?

Parents of toddlers and 2s are invited to attend an informal gathering at 3475 Notre Dame Drive to discuss these questions and more.

There is no fee for this event. Please bring paper and a pen to take notes. If you are unable to attend, kindly send an e-mail message.

Save the Date: Fall Festival

We’re having our

Annual Fall Harvest Festival at Washington Park

Thursday, October 28th 3:30PM – 6:00PM

Come join us for a costume parade, fall-themed activities, a performance, food, and general merriment! Parents are strongly encouraged to play dress up with their children and come in costume. We ask that all family members partake in the festivities. :)

Photos from last year: http://windsorpreschoolacademy.blogspot.com/2009/10/fall-party-pictures.html

Children's thoughts on last year's party: http://windsorpreschoolacademy.blogspot.com/2009/10/party-feedback-from-children.html

Parent Workshop: Balancing Work & Family

You are invited to a parenting workshop: Balancing Work & Family, with the marvelous Sue Dinwiddie of Parents Place, Tuesday, September 28, 7:00-8:30 p.m., here at the library.

Learn secrets to balancing work and family, and how to include self care in the mix!

You may register online at: http://www.libraryxo.org/balance 

This free program, for adults only, is sponsored by the Friends of the Mountain View Library.

 

 

Fire Safety Event

(click above to enlarge collage)

The Fire Safety Event had something for everyone...

What's the difference between a fire engine and fire truck? Most parents and teachers didn't know.

What number do you call if Mommy or Daddy are not waking up? Important information for preschoolers to know.

 

Firefighter Ron dressed up in full gear and carried an axe. Then he had toddlers (and preschoolers) give him high fives and touch his gear. This was good exposure therapy for our children since many children hide from firefighters during a fire. The hope is that being exposed to and seeing firefighters in full gear (in a safe environment with parents and teachers) will be an image children will remember and ease their anxiety during a real emergency.

Thank you, Santa Clara Fire Department, for visiting us. We had the most fun boarding the fire engine...again and again and again... :)

Dramatic Play: Tea Party

With the help of teachers, we moved little wooden tables and chairs together to coordinate a tea party.

Mommies and Daddies were invited to come using our yellow telephone. We brought out our plates and cups. Our infant baby dolls came along too. We sipped our hot, hot tea carefully. Oh, what joyous fun we had using our imaginations!

Due to children's continued interest, and in order to sustain their interest, we have permanently moved the extra table and chairs into the dramatic play area.

Why is dramatic play (that teachers scaffold) so important?
 Refer to earlier entry: http://windsorstars.blogspot.com/2010/08/pretend-play-airplanes.html