Magical Days
Some days are just so joyful! Fridays are our “just threes” days, giving our young ones the chance to create their own joy.
We always start the day with some sort of fine motor invitation. As children were coming in, they could come to the table and explore the cinnamon salt clay with whatever tools they want. There were songs made up about the play dough.
Our plants are alive and well, and we had some we had propagated that needed to be planted. Children could choose to come and plant and water. Yes, we had water and soil on the table, chairs, and floor, but it’s all easily cleaned! Some chose to plant, some made repeated trips to the sink to fill their pitchers to water their own plant, as well as the others. We examined the roots (that suck up water like a straw!) Children were talking to the plants as they “tucked them in like a baby” in the soil.
Some children decided to set up the bilibos and stepping stones to balance across the room. Another child made a wooden “bridge” to walk on.
This particular group loves music, and brought out several of our musical instruments. I wish I could post the videos I’d sent to parents! We use Brightwheel, and I can send photos and videos of children to parents seconds after I take them! We had a young musician strumming an autoharp and singing “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes” while walking on the “bridge.” Another joined in, changing the lyrics to “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Black!” Several children brought out triangles and tried using both metal and wood to make sounds.
There was a lot of construction going on! Some chose wooden blocks, others Magnatiles. All of the construction had places for people.
We finished the day by getting our rain gear on and going out to play.
One child achieved a huge milestone! They’re able to pump on the swings all by themselves now! Of course, I sent the video to the parents immediately.
We also got to witness an unprompted act of kindness! One child’s boots fell off while they were swinging. Another went over, put the boots back on the child, and gave them a push to start the swing again.
I love seeing parents arrive at pick up with huge smiles, knowing their children had an amazing day!
Our day was filled with strengthening hand muscles for writing (play dough, building, planting) gross motor skills, science, music, literature (We’re doing a Gingerbread Man/Boy/Girl/Cowboy,etc study) and so much more. Most importantly, the children made their own decisions. They chose their activities. They had fun.