January offers many themes: “Children of the World” (activities explained below), weather, snow and things that go with snow, such as mittens, polar animals, snowflakes, snowmen, and fake snow in the sensory bin. We have books about polar bears, and one that gives the Spanish verbs for what polar bears like to do, such as sleeping, sliding, running, walking, swimming and such.
For weather, we have snowflake, rain, and sun stamps for painting. We also have felt weather representatives, such as raindrops, white clouds, gray rain clouds, a lightning bolt, and a blowing face that represents wind.
“Children of the World” are represented with little language cards that have a picture of people in traditional dress and the word for “hello” in their corresponding languages. During group time, or when a child chooses such a language activity, the adult says the word, and gives space and time for the child to repeat each word. (For example: In France, they say “bonjour.”)
We have a magnetic boy that can be dressed in firefighter clothes, carpenter clothes or police officer clothes. We also have little cards to place in slots that have a picture of an isolated body part, such as hand, foot, mouth, nose, eye, ear and belly button. Another activity has magnets with friendly children’s faces from all cultures to place on the fridge.
In the drop box is the number five, and five pegs to place in the holes (symbol, quantity and the combination of the two).
Songs
Some of our favorite songs:
(Tune: “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”)
Snowflakes, snowflakes,
Falling to the ground,
Great big snowflakes that do not make a sound.
(Tune: “I’m a Little Teapot”)
Build a little snowman, short and fat,
Give him a carrot nose and a tall hat.
Now my little snowman, won’t you stay?
Out comes the sun, and you melt away.
A chubby little snowman had a carrot nose,
Along came a bunny, and what do you suppose.
That hungry little bunny, ready for his lunch,
Ate the snowman’s carrot nose… nibble, nibble, crunch.
Thumbs in the thumb place,
Fingers all together, this is the song we sing in mitten weather.
Thumbs in the thumb place,
Fingers all together, this is the song we sing in mitten weather.
My lady wind, my lady wind,
in and out she blows about trying to get in.
Whooohooohooohooo,whoohoohoohoo,
Whooohooohooohooo, whoohoohoohoo.
Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun, please shine down on me.
Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun, hiding behind the tree.
These little children are asking you, to please come out so they can
play with you.
So, Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun, please shine down on me!
It’s raining, it’s pouring,
the old man is snoring
he went to bed,
and bumped his head,
and didn’t wake up till morning.
(Tune: “Frere Jaques”)
Where is thunder, where is thunder,
Hear it boom! Hear it boom!
Pitter, patter, raindrops.
Pitter patter, raindrops.
I’m all wet. I’m all wet.
(Tune: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star)
Pitter, patter, drip, drip, drop. How I wish the rain would stop.
Will the sun come out today? So we can go out to play?
Pitter, patter, drip, drip, drop. How I wish the rain would stop.
I have two little eyes, right above my nose,
The cutest little eyes, they can open and close.
First I open, then I close,
That’s the way my little eyes go.
I have one little mouth, right below my nose.
The cutest little mouth, it can open and close.
First I open, then I close,
That’s the way my little mouth goes.
I have eyes and a mouth, and in between is my nose,
The cutest eyes and mouth, they can open and close.
First I open, then I close,
That’s the way my eyes and mouth go.
New sensory swing
Something new on the toddler playground is the sensory swing from SensoryScout.com. We made the straps adjustable (by teachers) so the children can swing seated or put their arms through and swing from their chest, their own invented way to swing and hang.
I want to share this because I find it remarkable that this seems to be the first piece of equipment that seems to always be in use by someone. Perhaps that’s just because it’s still new, but I haven’t seen any decline in interest since the beginning of December.
Visiting Primary Classrooms
If your child is turning 3 by next September, you may want to schedule a visit to see the Primary classrooms between now and the end of May. Primary visits give you a peek into the next class and allow you to request a Primary class, if you feel a preference. The Primary classrooms are very different from our small toddler community classes because the children are so much more independent! You may be impressed and surprised at all of the things the Primary children are doing during your visit!
Silent Auction Item
Be on the lookout for our class-made auction item. I have a toddler table, and I’m planning on putting our children’s handprints on it. I’ll then finish it with a durable varnish. That should be practical and fun!
Coats
Please keep helping us by putting an initial in all clothes. It helps us get your child’s clothes back to you. Perhaps, if your child’s coat doesn’t have an initial, you won’t mind if we put a letter in it.
Thank you all for your contributions for the holiday party. It was a great success because of you, and we had (almost too) much fun!
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