QR Codes

I’m very excited to have learned how to embed audio
                 recordings in a  QR code. 
          
I’ve recorded myself singing songs that we use in the program and
attached the qr code to the lyrics.  By using an ipad or smart phone
the parents, grandparents and others can take the piece of paper
home and play the recording for their child and themselves to learn
the song.

You can try listening to my recording yourself by using a qr scanner
app, like RedLaser.

You can learn how to do your own by visiting Interact Cafe.

Step by Step Creating

      Last week we moved our workbench to the art area. 
  
      The week started with a child who wanted to make a sign. 
   He sawed the wood into two pieces then hammered them together. 

              
He painted it and as it was drying he worked at he easel with his mom
learning how to print the letters.  I watched how they worked together to
sound out the word ‘stop’.  Mom would paint a letter and he copied it.
                 
But when he tried to paint STOP on his sign, he realized that the
              wood was too small.


He made a larger one.  By then other children were interested in what
                 he was doing and started to build.

 
      
All week I observed children learning how to use different tools;
saw, screw driver, hammers and glue gun.  I watched as the grown ups
became comfortable letting their children explore these adult tools.


     
Moving the work bench in to the art area encouraged the children to
work their project from start to finish, making it a fuller experience.

Our New Buddies

Each year we have new buddies.  Last year's buddies have graduated and moved on to high school.  This year we are matched up with a grade 6/7 class.  We’ve had three meetings so far.  
  
For our first get together we invited the buddies to come and play in our room.  It gave them an opportunity to see what the little buddies are interested in and to help them remember what it was like to be a preschooler.
  
     After introducing themselves to each other they found a place to play.

            
                        
The second time we met was in the multi-purpose room.  It has no toys and allowed the children to focus on each other.
                 
Our task was to trace each other’s hands.  This activity helped us notice some of our similarities and differences.


              
Today we made gingerbread cookies, as the beginning of our annual creation.  This activity helped us learn a bit more about how to work together.

    
An important part of our time together is to share stories.  Our big buddies read to the little buddies.
                      
      
Our big buddies are enthusiastic in singing our songs and to listen to stories. They are great role models for the little buddies.
        
Our time together is special.  It is creating bonds that are developing and becoming stronger on each visit.  Children that begin shy are making connections and opening up. The older buddies are learning empathy, showing kindness and patience.  The grown ups are learning more about pre-teens and how they can interact genuinely with their children.

Molding Planets

One of the interests of the children, as we study outer space, are the planets.
   This week I invited them to use plastercine to make their own planet.
             
We use play dough all the time but not plastercine.  It’s more expensive so I use it occasionally.  Plastercine has a different feel on your fingers than play dough.  And you can use multiple colours and they don’t blend together.

The children really enjoyed rolling, poking and shaping their plastercine. They enjoyed making planets together.
  
By providing models of the planets the children added rings and other details.
  
At StrongStart the parents are there the whole time and they are available to encourage and expand on their child’s interest.  For the children that wanted to talk more about each planet’s features, the parent was there to be that resource or show them where to find the answers, such as from our book shelves.

       Part of today’s fun was creating names for our planets.

My favourite part was joining this little one at the table as he explored the plastercine.  We shared words and sounds, expressing our pleasure in the activity to each other.

Build-a-Rocket Snack

            
This morning the children were welcome to build a rocket for their snack.
     
       I provided a simple recipe for them to read and follow.
      
Cutting the cheese into triangles was a challenge and the grown ups
                   offered help when needed.

                 Putting the rocket together was easy.
         
                  I enjoyed some of their creativity;
    like adding flames coming out of the bottom of the rocket.

    Build-a-rocket was a big thumbs up from the group this morning.