October has begun!
This is a perfect time of the year for orange to be a main feature in our class. Why? Because pumpkins are orange!
You know the deal. October is a super fun month in the Americas. Cornfields and pumpkin patches are arranged all over town, and your toddlers respond. These fruits are about their size and safe for them to handle while using their maximum effort to move around.
Did you know that to exert maximum effort is part of a toddler's developmental need and interest? Does your toddler try to move heavy (and light) furniture, help you push the wagon on the beach sand, help you carry heavy bags? If you can give them a choice, offering the heavy thing may feel counterintuitive to your little one unless you know about this toddler characteristic.
October Themes
The classroom theme is changing into fall/pumpkin/dress-up/cats/bats/spiders and friendly “spooky” things. In October, we use lots of orange paint. The number two will appear in the counting drop box. Pumpkins activities will enhance the shelves. There will be a basket of orange-colored objects to explore, gumballs to place in a pumpkin ice-cube tray, spiders to push through a hole in a jar, black clothespins to pin on the edge of an orange basket, little pumpkin pegs to place in their holes, and more.
Songs
Some of the songs we will sing:
One little, two little, three Little Pumpkins…
4 little, 5 little, 6 little Pumpkins…. 10 little Pumpkins in the Pumpkin Patch
5 little pumpkins were sitting on the gate.
The first one said: “Oh my, it’s getting late.”
The second one said: “I see children over there.”
The third one said: “We don't care.”
The fourth one said: “Let's run and run and run.”
The fifth one said: “I'm ready for some fun!”
Whoosh went the wind, and out went the light,
And five little pumpkins rolled out of sight.
Tune “Oh My Darling Clementine”
Pick a pumpkin, a big fat pumpkin,
That was growing on a vine,
And I carved a Jack O’ Lantern,
And it turned out just fine.
Tune “Pawpaw Patch”
Where oh where are all the children (3X)
Way down yonder in the pumpkin patch
They are picking up the pumpkins, and put them in a wagon (3X)
Way down yonder in the pumpkin patch.
What will they do with these pumpkins? (I ask)
Should they make some pumpkin pie? (I ask)
They pull the wagon home, and cut the pumpkins open (3X)
That’s what you do when you make pumpkin pie
They cut it all up and mash it, mash it (3X)
That’s what you do when you make pumpkin pie
They pour it in the pie crust, and put it in the oven (3X)
That’s what you do when you make pumpkin pie
They bake it and bake it until it’s ready (3X)
That’s what you do when you make pumpkin pie
I explain: When it’s ready, it’s really hot at first, so we have to let it cool.
We blow on it a little bit, then we cut a piece for you, for me, for our mom, our dad, our brother,
our sister, and then….
Put it in our tummy, yummy, yummy. (3X)
That’s what you do when you make pumpkin pie!
Caring for Toddlers
Consider checking out Janet Lansbury’s Facebook page or her blog (like this article on how to encourage your child.) She has a Facebook post almost daily about caring for infants and toddlers. She offers many insights on how to deal with toddlers respectfully, remain unruffled by their testing, how to set clear limits, and how to encourage independent play. I consider her a great guide to toddler teachers and parents.
Parents’ Night
Thursday night is Parents’ Night at our school. Bring your toddler between 6 and 7 p.m. to let them show you their environment and what they like to do. This is also a great evening to get to know more parents, and experience the classroom in a relaxed “Mommy & Daddy and ME” setting. Feel free to bring grandparents if they happen to be in town. We look forward to seeing you there!
