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Ways We Support Children's Explorations

9/29/2016

Engaging children in conversation as they work affirms their efforts and natural curiosity.

Describe what you notice them doing:
" I see you made a long green line."
" I see your brush going round and round, like circles."
" You pushed so many straws into the clay!"

Comments that describe what a child is doing encourages them to work longer and think more deeply about what they are doing. The child is being affirmed for his or her exploration and risk taking.

Like any good thing, don't overdo it! When children (and adults) are working intently, sometimes words are interruptions.

We are looking forward to seeing all of you this week!

Gathering Around Clay

9/22/2016

Toddlers use their mouths, hands and entire bodies to explore, understand and make sense of their world. It is exciting to watch this process.

Clay, which we start with each week, is a good example. So many approaches! Some of the children investigate tentatively and carefully and others want full body engagement. The children are developing familiarity with clay. They are excited and intrigued to try new ways to tackle it. Last week dowel pieces were added to roll and poke the clay. Each week we will add a new way to engage with this open ended material.

UpCycle's Materials Playgroup: Where Everything Is Designed to Be a "Yes"

9/15/2016

At playgroup this week we offered several activity centers and materials to investigate. One mom commented that she liked how everything in the room was a "yes" for her son. At home he is interested in his older brother's toys and is often steered away. At UpCycle, we plan activities that are just right for our playgroup participants.

The children manipulated clay upon arrival. Gathering together on the floor around hunks of clay, children became acquainted with the properties of this elemental substance. It's all about action! We poked, pinched, pounded, and rolled the clay.

An activity we call "dip and stick" is a great way for children to begin understanding the possibilities of glue. This week the children dipped corks and green tops and pressed them on a vertical board. The children watched the corks sliding down the board--an encounter with gravity!

Each week we set up a sensory experience to include filling and dumping, tactile and sound experiences. We also provide regular painting and gross motor explorations.

Children can move between activities freely, staying engaged as long as they like. It is a lovely time for parents and caregivers to discover and explore together without distraction! If you are not enrolled - please come and join us!

PLAYGROUP INFORMATION

Ways We Support Children's Explorations

Gathering Around Clay

UpCycle's Materials Playgroup: Where Everything Is Designed to Be a "Yes"

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