Lakewood Avenue Children's School

Preschool Ages 1-5

Lakewood at Home

Lakewood for Middlers: July 13

by Leave a Comment

Good morning! We hope you were able to find some time for rest over the weekend and that you were able to stay cool! July weather has really arrived! Here are three invitations for busy middlers today.

Large/Fine Motor Invitation: Durham County Library indoor obstacle course

We mentioned a couple of weeks ago that Durham County Library’s Summer Reading program is happening now. As part of that program, they are posting virtual storytimes and other informative and fun content on their Youtube channel. We really liked their idea for an indoor obstacle course that involves not only physical, but cognitive challenges as well! What obstacles will you and your child come up with? Stacking blocks, completing a puzzle, or sorting some objects by color?

Art Invitation: Colored pencils and paper

This simple opportunity for creative expression and exploring mark making is a favorite at Lakewood. Colored pencils can be used for bold designs, light shading, and layering to create different colors and textures. We offer them frequently so children gain facility with this medium.

Nature/Science Invitation: Checking on your plant

Last week we suggested inviting your child to find a plant to befriend somewhere closeby. Today we are wondering how their plant is doing? In the summer plants can change quickly! Tomatoes grow and ripen, flowers turn to seedpods, leaves wilt in the heat. See if your child would like to make a drawing or take a photograph of their plant today. Ask if there are ways they would like to care for it. Does it need water? Would it like to hear your child tell it a story or sing it a song?

Lakewood for PreK: July 10

by Leave a Comment

Happy Friday! We are wishing you a fun and healthy weekend. Here are three invitations for preschoolers today.

Outdoor/Science Invitation: Foil river with boats

For this invitation you will need some foil (heavy duty works best), water and a small boat or two. If you don’t have any boats, invite your child to create some from leaves or sticks. Work with your child to create a riverbed from the foil and then add a small flow of water and float the boats down the stream. Your child might have other ideas of things to float down the river as well, or it might evolve into a sink/float investigation. 

Language/Literacy Invitation: Firebird by Misty Copeland

As a literacy invitation today, we suggest sharing the book Firebird by Misty Copeland. You can find the ebook through Durham County Library, or listen to the book read aloud here. You can also find a short video of Misty dancing through this link.

Large Motor Invitation: Dance party

Fridays are a great day for a dance party!

Lakewood for Toddlers: July 10

by Leave a Comment

Happy Friday! We are wishing you a wonderful weekend. Here are three invitations to for the last day of the week.

Large Motor Invitation: Frisbee catch in a kiddie pool

This invitation works best if you have a kiddie pool or a large, shallow storage bin. You will also need a couple of Frisbees or large lids and some balls. Put a couple of inches of water into the pool and float the lids in it. Invite your child to throw the balls and try to hit the lids (or Frisbees). This invitation is an opportunity to build motor skills like accuracy and throwing.

Art Invitation: Markers and paper

Once again we suggest offering markers and paper to your toddler as an art invitation. Markers are an opportunity to explore mark making, build fine motor skills, and for toddlers to learn a language of creative expression.

Fine Motor Invitation: Exploring stacking

As a fine motor invitation today, you might consider offering a rod (like an upright paper towel holder) and some retaining rings from canning jars, shower curtain rings, or bangles. Invite your child to explore these materials, building coordination and other motor and cognitive skills.

Lakewood for Middlers: July 10

by Leave a Comment

Happy Friday! We are wishing you a happy and healthy weekend. Here are three invitations for middlers today.

Outdoor/Science Invitation: Foil river with boats

For this invitation you will need some foil (heavy duty works best), water and a small boat or two. If you don’t have any boats, invite your child to create some from leaves or sticks. Work with your child to create a riverbed from the foil and then add a small flow of water and float the boats down the stream. Your child might have other ideas of things to float down the river as well, or it might evolve into a sink/float investigation. 

Language/Literacy Invitation: Firebird by Misty Copeland

As a literacy invitation today, we suggest sharing the book Firebird by Misty Copeland. You can find the ebook through Durham County Library, or listen to the book read aloud here. You can also find a short video of Misty dancing through this link. It may lead to a Friday dance party!

Art/Fine Motor Invitation: Paint and paper flowers

Set out a piece of paper, some paints and paper, cloth or dried flowers (fresh might work as well), and a paintbrush. You might also want a paper towel and a small container of water for rinsing brushes. Invite your child to create something using these materials. They may use the flowers as brushes, or adhere them to their work using the paint.