Begin the Day Activities

Part of the routine of each morning is an active and engaged playtime 

after the children sign in.

The children enter the day, making sure their mailbags, backpacks and clothes are in their cubbies and baskets. Then they sign in by writing their name and answering a question. The question may be asking about anything from measurement to make-believe.

But, after sign-in...the real fun begins!
 

 The teachers choose many activities and open materials for the children 

to explore and play with.

We spend this time engaging in the fun and playful learning that reflects 

what the children know.

 

We introduce the children to new concepts and ideas.

 

 And the children introduce us to new ways to use the open materials they play with!

The children explore things like amounts and sizes and ordering.

And they talk and write about stories and pictures to add to their documentation binders.

They record and plan and pattern and create gardens and circus dogs using shapes.

The children build with small, interesting objects.

Or play dice games that we've created together.

They teach each other as we explore materials and ideas.

And help each other as they make new books and learn new letter sounds and words.

 

The children read and are read to and move freely to the activities that have been chosen.

And our brains are ignited for the day...

ready for playing and learning and discovering all that there is to do

 in the wonderful world of kindergarten!

Shining a Light on Investigation

There is something about placing something on the light table that sparks the children's creativity and wonder.

Corn becomes more golden, stems take on an airy presence,

the veins of a leaf become pronounced, a sunflower head resembles the sun.

Coloured lenses give a new perspective.

A clear container of water on the light table gives the children a chance to see reflection in a whole new light! Watching a frog swim. Seeing a leaf through the magnification of water. What happens to a stick when it is put in water and the light comes from the bottom?

Curiouser and curiouser...

Something is inside here. You can see it with the light.

Let's find out what it could be.

Simple pieces of old jewellery, chains of silver and gold, become an invitation to see movement. Chains run across, around, slink into circles and curvy lines.

Can a chain get a knot? How do links work? Can all the chains link together?

What is a clasp?

See-through shapes are moved into suns and rocket ships.

What a wonderful place to encourage the hard work of threading! These young writers are developing their fine motor control and it really shows when they print their names.

Our SK's are showing us patterns of colours and shapes.

3D structures tall and wide become illuminated at the light table.

Mushing up some marshmallows and watching the sticky pull between your thumb and forefinger is quite magical and fun when the light shines through!

The children challenge each other to build such interesting structures.

We wait with anticipation for the questions and insight the children offer.

Shining a light on play.

Shining a light on learning.

Shining a light on the ever-so-capable child!

An Invitation

Just like a great event, materials are carefully chosen in the wonderful world of kindergarten and prepared to enhance the enjoyment of those who come together.

The teachers invite the children to interact with some loose materials by bringing a basket of plants they picked from the rooftop garden along with coloured glass beads and arranging them on tree cookies.

Coloured toothpicks and beads were brought together on another tree cookie.

When an invitation is set up, materials are carefully considered, selected and placed. 

The goal is to inspire the children and 
to observe how they use the materials in their own way.

Thing is though....

we are the ones who end up being inspired by the children.

Tyler finishes his work of art and decides it is picture worthy! We absolutely agree.

Tiny fingers are put to work to place the materials just the right way.

Decisions are made over and over again when choosing the materials and where and how they are placed.

Stories emerge.

This invitation proved to be a rich creative experience that sparked the senses, ...

...and brought many smiles to the wonderful world of kindergarten.