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We welcomed new and returning friends to playgroup this week! We will gather around clay each time we meet. It's nice for children to encounter a familiar activity upon arrival. They feel confident to enter playgroup, explore the material and use it in new ways. During UpCycle's Materials Playgroups we set up experiences to make children think and make connections between experiences and various materials. We have been noticing the children's strong interest in balls and rolling them down tubes and gutter pieces. We invited the children to experience clay and the tubes in a new way. We connected these two activities! This prompted delight with the children as they immediately understood the connection. They tested small and large clay balls, flattened balls and lumpy balls. Some went fast, others slow. And guess what! Rubber balls bounce; clay balls do not! It is exciting to watch children create new understandings and connections by joining what they see and experience with previous understandings. At the easel we continued the "round" idea. The children painted the round shapes of apple box dividers. The teachers, caretakers and parents in the class are partners with the children-thinking in new ways. It's all about connecting! Your children are problem solvers! They are natural scientists investigating and observing with keen eyes. They are actively engaged in figuring out how things work or fit.
During Playgroup, you and your child have uninterrupted time together to make discoveries. You are also able to gently guide new skills. Times when we can give our undivided attention to our children are invaluable. Children learn not only that they are important and loved by you but that they are capable and fun to be around! Helping your child's growing self-confidence and self esteem will help them to build loving and supportive relationships all their lives. |
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