January 1, 2017 by toddletowne2015

Homework Alert: January

The children have a “homework assignment” for our TRANSPORTATION theme: to cut out pictures of transportation to bring in for our bulletin boards. The children will use these pictures to classify air, land, and water transportation; learn transportation terms; become alert to many different and unusual methods of transportation and to people who use specialized forms of transportation.

Of course, their assignment includes cleaning up any mess they may make cutting – Have fun!

Trees and changing seasons will be emphasized this month. By observation, the children will become aware that all trees have leaves, branches, roots, and a trunk; and that they need soil, water, and sunlight to grow. They will learn to identify trees as they realize that the leaf, bark, and shape of each tree is different.

Halloween skeletons will be used as a fun way to focus on healthy life practices and ways to keep children’s bodies healthy. Children’s own areas of responsibility for keeping themselves healthy will be emphasized.

While playing outside, children will be encouraged to notice the seasonal changes. The colder weather will provide the motivation for independently putting on coats and other wraps. A fall scarecrow will be used to help children learn and name a total of 20 body parts. Children will be experimenting with relationship and concept grouping and rhyming words. There will be a focus on number recognition and useful ways to use numbers everyday. The children will have lots of opportunity for fine and gross motor development as they work with scissors and hop, skip, and jump like fall squirrels.