Truck Experiments

Today, we had such a great example of child-led learning.  One of the kids figured out on his own that it was fun to push the toy pick-up truck down the ramp.  Next thing you know, he is experimenting with various objects to put in the back.  Just by watching, and not asking, I could tell he was figuring out things like: “What makes it go faster?” “What will stay in the back all the way down the ramp?” “How much of that thing can I fit in there?” “How much of it will stay in all the way to the bottom of the ramp?”

It was Einstein who said that play is the best form of research, and witnessing that daily is so inspiring!

Fabric Flowers

Our lesson on flowers last week was to explore different textures of flowers. We used the “feel” box to guess what was inside, distinguishing between soft flower pedals and fluffy dandelions, etc.  By the end of the week, several kids had the opportunity to make fabric flowers. They chose their fabric, and we asked them to think of how to describe the way it feels. They chose a shape to make the flower, and we assisted them in cutting one big, one medium, and one small size of that shape.  Finally, they assisted at the sewing machine to sew the three layers together.  Stick a hole in the middle, thread a pipe cleaner through, and you’ve got a lovely flower!

Three Sisters

Our Saplings group got a special visit from Ms. Amanda, our Environmental Education Consultant and Garden Master.  She led us through a project of planting a row of “three sister” sets in our front garden. We learned that one sister is the corn, which provides a strong stalk in the middle.  A second sister is the bean, which gives nitrogen to the earth and climbs up the corn stalk. The third sister is the squash, which provides a blanket over the earth, conserving moisture for the other plants.

It will be so fun and rewarding to watch them grow, and to revisit the concepts we learned in planting them.

Thanks so much, Ms. Amanda!!

Baby/Toddler Wearing

We believe in baby wearing and toddler wearing.  Here is some evidence of that!  To read more about the benefits of wearing your baby and/or toddler, please follow this link and the links it leads you to.

Working on the Garden

We want to send out a BIG thanks to all the families who came to help with our Garden Work Day.  It was a beautiful day, and much was accomplished, thanks to you all! You make this a wonderful community.  Enjoy the pics.

Sunflower House

Our preschoolers have been working on a long-term project for our yard, and it's starting to come together.  It's a sunflower house! Earlier in the spring, they planted some seeds inside, and have been tending to them there.  More recently, we scoped out the yard, looking for a good place, and decided what shape to make it.  We moved rocks over to mark the outline, we dug holes for the plants, and we planted them.  In addition to the plants we started inside, we added some seeds, and so we will hopefully have a nice tunnel leading up to the circle sunflower dome!

Such busy learners at work, here!!