The Wonderful World of Kindergarten

Welcome to our Reggio Emilia inspired classroom at Dr. David Suzuki School.
JoAnne Pizzuto, OCT & Jocelyne Brent, RECE, BASc (Hons)
Showing posts with label fine motor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fine motor. Show all posts

Tuesday, 23 February 2016

Knitting Looms


The only difference between an experienced knitter and a new knitter is that the experienced knitter makes bigger mistakes faster. 
Be bold!
There are no terrible consequences in knitting.
~ Stephanie Pearl-McPhee ~


Tangles of yarn.


Bits and pieces of bright colour.


Small, larger, largest.


Wrap around, bottom over top and off.
Wrap around, bottom over top and off.
Wrap around, bottom over top and off.

Patterns.




Patience and perseverance.








Creating, recreating.
Try and try again.


Monday, 20 April 2015

Weaving

We all have our own life to pursue, 
Our own kind of dream to be weaving,
And we all have the power to make wishes come true,
As long as we keep believing.
~ Louisa May Alcott ~
 
When the interest from finger knitting continued, Miss Wilkins thought about introducing another yarn activity to the children. She created small cardboard looms for the children and began to introduce the idea of weaving to them.
Some friends got the knack right away and they were able to help other friends.
Under, Over, Under, Over
Does that sound familiar?
Just like finger knitting, the actions of weaving are a pattern!
 
 
We wondered if the children would make patterns in the colours as they weaved their yarn.
 
Pulling the yarn tight, made the weaving squeeze together.
The bottom strings needed to be tied so the weaving strings wouldn't fall out.
Some of the weaving was very colourful.
 
The nicest part of the weaving activity was getting the chance to do it again and again!

Monday, 13 April 2015

Finger knitting

"I'll get some pillows."
"Oh I could just finger knit all day long!"
~ Danica ~

Having made themselves quite comfortable, Danica and Leah relaxed into the calmness of finger knitting. It's rhythmic pattern became automatic for them
 while they chatted and giggled as friends do.
Many of the children had been intrigued with Cat's Cradle and 
how the yarn would run through their fingers.
They enjoyed manipulating the string and making designs. 
Mrs. Brent decided to show them another way to play with yarn.
 
 The only things you need for finger knitting are yarn and fingers 
and a pair of scissors for a snip at the end.
When you click on the link, you'll see how we get started.
Lewam is getting things started.
Over Under Over
Around the pinky
Over Under Over
Bottom over top and off
Repeat
Alex has been working her finger knitting and has decided it's long enough...
...for a headband!
Miss Garrett, the student educator is just learning also. 
She watches Addison to see how it's done.
Abigail gives it a try on her own.
Over Under Over
Around the pinky
Over Under Over
Bottom over top
Sometimes the yarn just gets mixed up...but that's okay.
That's what makes each child's piece just right!
Emmy has made a piece that is almost as tall as she is.
 
Oh and by the way, do we like that when children are finger knitting they are also 
patterning
 socializing  
 learning by teaching  
following steps
developing fine motor control 
using trial and error to self-learn?
You betcha!

Wednesday, 25 March 2015

Beautiful tulips

Spring is in the air! These beautiful tulips gave the children a wonderful opportunity to do some sketching in our art studio.