Happy Friday!

Happy Friday! We (Olive, Hunter, Wynn, Ancel, Cherokee, and Arielle) had a blast today! Our day started out with Arielle’s friend, Jessica (owner of Hoop Hoop Hooray,) coming to Green Sprout with five fresh, new hula hoops to donate to our school (that she made!) We had so much fun exploring the hoops and listening to electronic hooping music with the entire community. Cherokee’s mom also joined in the excitement and grew quite attached to Hunter, who she walked around the playground for a long while. We were glad to also have Han and Nicole, Olive and Ancel’s moms, hang out and even show us their awesome hula hooping skills! You ladies rock! While all of this was going on, Wynn made his way all around the playground checking out the action, Hunter continued to receive help walking (she’s so close), Olive played on the playscape and the slide, and Ancel got to jump through some hoops (literally!)

                Snack was a little late due to all the fun we were having, so after we ate we stayed inside in the air conditioning and played. Everybody was in a fantastic mood. Hunter snuggled in Arielle’s lap and Olive sat next to them as they all read a book together. Wynn played with blocks and stacking toys, and Ancel cuddled with Cherokee. When it was time to clean up we helped the pre-tots pick up the toys that were on the floor. Olive cleaned up by herself and Wynn received some help from Arielle with the process. Ancel and Hunter were growing very hungry so they were sat at the table first.

                We’ve noticed a dramatic change in eating behaviors amongst the pre-tots. Half of their food used to end up on the floor, but they have been doing such a good job keeping their food in their bowl or container until it goes in their mouth! Wynn’s eating habits have greatly improved and his cleanliness when eating lunch today is worth noting. Hunter received help with her spoon and ate about half of her rice and salmon before getting sleepy and frustrated with the slippery spoon. Olive seemed to know what was in her lunchbox because she kept requesting different items for us to get out for her. Ancel ate all of his food quickly, up until the last few bites…and then he fell asleep at the table. He was the first to be excused to get up and wash his hands and lay down for nap.

                Thanks to those who brought toothbrushes in their child’s lunch boxes! After nap we did a fun activity in which we brushed our teeth with toothpaste that we made! Afterwards the kiddos smeared toothpaste all over the table. Everybody loved it except Olive, who was not interested in getting dirty, but did a great job brushing her teeth all by herself!

We also played with some play-doh as our art project (also a good sensory experience.) Wynn and Hunter were very interested in how it tasted. Ancel appeared to be experienced with it. Olive preferred to put hers back in the container. She really likes her hands to stay clean.

Ancel, Olive, and Wynn all chose to sit at the atelier (art table) and do some artwork. Hunter enjoyed scooting around the room with a crayon or marker in her hand, but wasn’t too interested in using them to draw. I’m sure she’ll soon be our next pre-tot room artist, along with all the other tots! It’s been an amazing Friday! Have a great weekend!

Next week we will be using puppets more often in the classroom, along with toy farm animals. Please feel free to give us some feedback on what your sprout loves to play with at home (even if it’s not a “toy” and instead something like Olive’s interest in a shoe.) J We will probably bring the sponges and scrub brushes back, along with soapy water, since the tots had so much fun with that activity yesterday. We’ll eventually start a unit soon, once we can figure out the best area of study for the wonderful pre-tots! WE LOVE THEM SO MUCH!

*As with containers, water bottles, spoons, forks, etc., please remember to label items brought from home. Even writing their name on the tags of their clothes is extremely helpful. Thanks!

*Starting next week we will not be able to microwave any food items sent in lunches. Please pack foods that you feel comfortable with your child eating straight out of the container/bag, without being heated. We served their lunches cold (straight out of their lunch boxes) today to see how they would do, and nobody had a problem with eating a chilled lunch! Sorry for the inconvenience.