February Activities - Weeks 1 and 2

Art:

Both the 2s and 3s loved using salad spinners to create these hearts! They placed a paper heart in the spinner, squeezed their choice of paint colors onto the paper, put on the lid and let it spin. When finished, they removed their painted heart and placed it in a box lid to sprinkle the glitter. Even the 2s got the sequence down and could do these unassisted. 

We made our Valentine holders in both classes. Shown above are the 3s holders, which needed to be larger than the 2s (more children). We took a large sheet of construction paper, folded it in half, and stapled the sides. The children then stamped white hearts on the front. I printed a photo of each child for his/her envelope, along with his/her printed  name. This made it much easier when passing out the Valentines. The 2s stamped their hearts on red paper bags. In both classes, the parents/caregivers helped their children distribute Valentines before class started.

Each Friday we have a parent volunteer in our 3s class. Last week our parent came up with her own idea. She cut a heart shape in the middle of a margarine lid and the children used that as a stencil. After they traced the heart, they dipped marker caps in glue and stamped them onto the heart. From there, they placed the paper in a box lid and shook glitter over the paper.

Easel:

Because one of our class visitors was a dentist, the 3s painted with toothbrushes at the easel.

The second week the 3s used pipettes to drip thinned tempera paint down paper hearts. The 2s used paint brushes on paper hearts.

We welcomed our new plexi-glass easel that will reside in our outdoor classroom. We have wanted one for years and used fundraising money for this one. 

Cooking:

Red sprinkles mixed with a little water and some cinnamon were added to hearts cut out of tortillas. They were baked in a warm oven until slightly crispy.

The church we reside in often gets donations of bread and pizza dough from a local grocery store. We scored 2 bags of organic pizza dough, so we decided to have the 2s make cinnamon rolls with it. They kneaded and patted the dough with flour and then sprinkled cinnamon sugar on top. We brushed a bit of margarine on top (we can't have dairy due to allergies) and baked them at 350 degrees for around 15 minutes. 

The 3s made cookie dough for their Valentines cookies, with enough leftover for the 2s to use the following day. After mixing the dough, they patted it flat and pressed a heart cookie cutter into it. Once the heart was revealed, they added sprinkles. 

Dramatics:

The first week of February, we continued loving our babies in the dramatics area. This extended after our baby wash in the sensory tub the week prior. We worked hard on dressing the babies and taking good care of them! This was especially meaningful for several of the children who either have younger siblings or are expecting siblings in the near future.

The week of Valentines, our dramatic play area included a post office! We had bins for sorting mail, mail bags, mail hats, a cash register, baskets, and stamps. You can read more about our post office here.

Light Table:

I drew 4 different-colored hearts on white paper and placed over the light table. The children sorted the materials by color and placed in the hearts. (I used larger materials for the 2s.)

Fine Motor:

On our writing table: heart stamps, markers and paper.

Sensory:

The first week of February, we had a winter fine motor sensory bin. The children used tongs and scoops to fill plastic bins.

The second week of February, I dyed tubular pasta red and added chenille stems for them to poke through the pasta. I also added empty dishwashing liquid bottles for them to push the pasta into. It proved to be quite the challenge to get the pasta out of the bottles!

Cognitive:

How many gems go on each tooth?

Color recognition AND fine motor practice!

The 3s matched fabric swatches and glued them into sets on paper.

Play Dough:

We added shape buttons and shape cookie cutters to the play dough table along with our rosemary lavender play dough.

The second week of February we had chocolate play dough at the table. (I used the classic cooked play dough recipe and added some dutch cocoa to the flour. No food coloring needed!) I provided a basket of red items for them to use with the play dough. Later that week we also added some empty candy heart boxes.

Special Visitors:

Each year we are lucky to have the same local fire marshal come visit our preschool. Firefighter Gert showed us everything a firefighter must wear when putting out a fire. 

One of our preschool parents is a dentist, so he and his hygienist visited our classrooms and showed us how to take care of our teeth.

Special Events:

Valentines Day

Passing out Valentines with parents/caregivers before class!

 

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