Lakewood Avenue Children's School

Preschool Ages 1-5

Lakewood at Home

Lakewood for PreK: June 19

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Happy Friday! Just a quick reminder that we are taking a break from the blog next week. If you have been on this journey with us, please let us know in the comments!

Sensory Invitation: Pom pom water play

For this invitation you will need some pom poms (Unfortunately, cotton balls will not work for this.), two containers, and a large spoon or two. We recommend either setting the containers in a large plastic storage tub where they fit side by side, or offering this invitation outside. Fill one container with pom poms and the other with water. Invite your child to explore the two materials with the spoons and/or their hands.

This invitation explores opposites, uses motor skills and builds sensory schema.

Language/Literacy Invitation: Juneteenth for Mazie by Floyd Cooper

We really appreciated this read aloud of Juneteenth for Mazie by Small by Mighty Storytime from the National Civil Rights Museum. There is an additional coloring activity at the end of the video.

If you are unfamiliar with Juneteenth or would like a little guidance framing it for your child, we found this resource from Teaching Tolerance helpful, though it is primarily for slightly older children.

This invitation builds language/literacy skills, cultural awareness, and potentially fine motor skills.

Large Motor Invitation: Dance party!!!

We feel this is an excellent way to celebrate Juneteenth, the end of another week, and invite children to tell their story using their bodies.

Lakewood for Toddlers: June 19

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Happy Friday! Just a quick reminder that we are taking a break from the blog next week. If you have been on this journey with us, please let us know in the comments!

Here are three invitations for today for toddlers.

Sensory Invitation: Pom pom water play

For this invitation you will need some pom poms (Unfortunately, cotton balls will not work for this.), two containers, and a large spoon or two. We recommend either setting the containers in a large plastic storage tub where they fit side by side, or offering this invitation outside. Fill one container with pom poms and the other with water. Invite your child to explore the two materials with the spoons and/or their hands.

This invitation explores opposites, uses motor skills and builds sensory schema.

Large Motor Invitation: Stepping stones

This invitation is perhaps simplest to do outside, but you could also create stepping stones indoors with some painter’s tape or yoga dots. Find some relatively flat, sturdy objects larger than your child’s feet. Arrange them like stepping stones outside and invite your child to try to navigate the stepping stones. We wonder if children will explore moving the objects to make the motor work more or less challenging. We wonder if they will decide to do something other than step on the objects, perhaps they will go around, or stack them.

Language/Literacy Invitation: Brown Boy Joy by Dr. Thomishia Baker

We love this version of Brown Boy Joy read by Jecorey Arthur. It really brings out the rhythm of the text. This is wonderful for young children who are themselves discovering the rhythm of language.

Lakewood for PreK: June 18

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Good morning! Today looks like it will be warmer than the rest of the week. Here are three invitations for preschoolers today.

Sensory/Science Invitation: Making potions

This is a simple invitation to set up and is very engrossing for preschoolers. You will need a variety of small containers and a larger bottle or bowl for the potion. This can be very simply done with colored water in each small container, or you can do colored vinegar and dishes of salt, baking soda and glitter. You could also offer oil, dish soap, pickle juice or glitter glue. You will also want to set out small measuring spoons and a larger spoon for stirring it all together. To contain the mess, set this up on a baking tray.

This invitation uses imagination, explores science and engages multiple senses.

Language/Literacy Invitation: Winnie the Witch by Valerie Thomas or Grimelda the Very Messy Witch by Diana Murray

Making potions may remind your child of witches and halloween. We enjoy the antics of Winnie the Witch by Valerie Thomas and the silly fun in Grimelda the Very Messy Witch by Diana Murray. We hope these two stories make your preschooler laugh.

Language/Fine Motor Invitation: Writing recipes

Grimelda’s recipe calls for pickle root, what kind of recipe would your child like to create today? This might be related to their work with potions, or completely separate. Your child might draw pictures of the ingredients and steps, use their pre-writing or writing skills to note the steps, or dictate the recipe to you.

This invitation is a space where children can see the importance of written language to everyday life and find joy in creating a recipe of their own.

Lakewood for Middlers: June 18

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Good morning! It looks like today might be warmer and less wet than the rest of this week. Sarah and Caitlyn have three interesting invitations for middlers today.

Sensory Invitation: Making Ocean Soap Foam
You will need:
¼ cup of warm water
2 tbsp dish soap
2 tbsp cornstarch (or corn flour)
Blue food coloring/liquid watercolors
Blender or hand mixer
Ocean animal toys
Bin

In a blender (or bowl if you’re using a hand mixer), add the water, dish soap, cornstarch and food coloring. Blend/mix on high until stiff peaks form. If it’s too watery you can add some more cornstarch or dish soap. Pour the soap foam into a bin/container and add ocean animals! Let your child explore!

Intent: This sensory activity allows for middlers to explore their sense of touch with this foamy concoction! This also allows for dramatic play using the ‘sea foam’ and toy animals.

Fine Motor Invitation: Sorting
Find some toys to sort with. This could be blocks, animals, cars, balls, etc. You can set up a variety of containers for sorting into, a muffin tin is perfect for smaller toys, or use painter’s tape to mark off spaces on the floor.
You can sort by shape, size, or color.

Intent: This activity incorporates fine motor development by building and creating structures. Hand-eye coordination is used and practiced in this activity.

Art Invitation: Care Surprise for a friend

Make some art to send to a friend or loved one! Invite your child to create something to send to a friend or loved one. After they are done creating, they can help fold their work, put it in an envelope, and put the stamp on.

Intent: This activity is a way for children to connect with others and be part of the larger community while exploring creative expression and using fine motor skills.