Blog: PreK

Good morning! It looks like it is going to be a lovely Tuesday.

Fine Motor Invitation: DIY bead maze/tree

This invitation asks children what they can create with wire and beads. If you do not have craft wire or “fuzzy wire” (pipe cleaners or chenille stems), you can use a wire hanger. Your child may want to wrap the wire around a stone or brick to give their sculpture/maze a solid base. What will they do? What stories will they tell as they twist and curl the wire and slide beads on? 

Science Invitation: Exploring ramps and friction

We were intrigued by this post about exploring ramps and friction. The middler and preschool classes were both exploring ramps and acceleration over the winter. We are curious about what children in these age groups will do if we add friction into the equation. You can encourage your child to think like a scientist by asking them to predict what will happen if you put different materials on the ramp and try to send a car down. Will it be different with fabric? What about with foil?

Outdoor/Large Motor Invitation: Friction and slides

This extension of the ramps and friction invitation takes the question outside. What might happen if your slide (existing, or one made from a splinter-free piece of wood) had something else on it? What if you are wearing different pants? Does that change how quickly you go down the slide?

Good morning! Welcome to another week of Lakewood for PreK. We are so glad you are joining us! This week we will be revisiting some threads from previous weeks, and offering new ideas.

Art Invitation: Glue collage on cardboard

How does glue work? Will anything stick to cardboard if you use glue? How long will it take for the glue to dry? These are some of the questions children can explore through this invitation which also builds motor skills and is an opportunity for creative expression.

Offer your child a piece of cardboard, some glue, and a variety of things to try out such as craft sticks, chenille stems, feathers, tissue paper, etc. Invite them to create something using the glue as an adhesive.

 

Science Invitation: What dissolves in water?

This invitation encourages children to make predictions and test their hypotheses. For this invitation you will need several small clear containers, small amounts of pantry staples like sprinkles, sugar, salt, flour, or baking soda, water and spoons. Put a teaspoon or so of each item in its own container. Ask your child to predict which ones will dissolve in water before pouring in water to cover and mixing it up. How do their predictions change as the experiment progresses? Was there anything that surprised you or your child?

 

Movement Invitation: Shadow freeze dancing

Continuing the exploration of light, shadow and reflection, today we invite your child to freeze dance with their shadow. You will need a flashlight, some music, and a place where your child can see their shadow if you shine the flashlight on them. Invite them to choreograph a dance for their shadow, or challenge their shadow to a freeze dance.

This invitation continues inquiries into light, shadow and reflection, uses dance as a language of self-expression, and builds large motor skills.

Happy Friday! Here are some slightly wacky and fun learning invitations from the preschool team at LACS.

Science Invitation: Experiment with baking soda and vinegar!

There are lots of fun ways to experiment and observe this chemical reaction. You can make a volcano, or just observe the reaction in a cup! My favorite idea from the link below is putting the baking soda in a muffin tin or cups with food coloring then allowing your child to add in the vinegar with a turkey baster. This is a fun science activity that works the senses and fine motor skills!

https://preschoolinspirations.com/vinegar-baking-soda-science/

Science/Math/Cooking Invitation:  Wacky Cake

This cake uses the same amazing reaction as the science invitation to create something pretty delicious.

Wacky Cake

• 1 ¼ cups unbleached flour
• 1 cup sugar
• ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 handful chocolate chips (optional)

 

• 1 cup warm water
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ⅓ cup vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon distilled white or apple cider vinegar

 

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Get out all your ingredients and an 8×8-inch baking dish.

In a large bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, salt and chocolate chips if you are using them. 

In a different bowl, mix together the water, vanilla, vegetable oil and vinegar. 

Pour the wet things into the dry things and quickly stir together. Remember what the baking soda and vinegar did in the science experiment? Do you see it happening here?

Pour the cake batter into the 8×8-inch pan and have an adult put it in the oven.

Bake for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Have an adult take the cake out of the oven and put it on a cooling rack or potholder to cool.

Cool the cake completely before having a taste.

Sensory/Helping Invitation: Washing the dishes

Look at all the dirty dishes from mixing up the cake! Your child can help wash them by hand, helping out and building sensory schema and life skills.

Music/Movement Invitation: Pizza Feet

We found this article on NPR.org and had to share because of the very silly “Pizza Feet” song. It might be a fun addition to your Friday dance party. What would your child put on their pizza feet?

Good morning! It looks like this will be a lovely day for a Thursday adventure!

Large Motor/Adventure Invitation: Listening adventure

Your child can go on this adventure sitting in a box in the middle of the living room, walking around the backyard, or out with you in the neighborhood. Before you go, ask them what they think they will hear. Then ask them to sit or walk quietly and see what they can hear. When you get back, or their sitting time is up, reflect on the sounds together. Were there birds? Cars? A train whistle?

This adventure invites children to make predictions and carry out an experiment to see if they are correct. It also asks them to be quiet for a moment and use their ears to experience the world.

 

Science/Fine Motor Invitation: Drawing sounds

At Home with the Reggio Approach has a wonderful sound riddle activity. Prepare some blank paper and a drawing pencil or pen. Invite your child to draw what they hear, what does the sound look like? What do you think might be making the sound?

 

Music/Movement Invitation: Making music

After so much listening, what sounds would your child like to make? Can they find materials that help them replicate the sounds from the sound riddle or their adventure? They can also use pots and pans or musical instruments to make sounds and songs. Your child (and you) may want to explore percussion instruments outside.

Music is an amazing language for creative expression and this invitation encourages innovation and invention as well.