Now that Chanukah is over, we like to spend a couple weeks focusing on each of our students individual development, in various areas of growth.
In addition to the most important area of growth- the children's social/emotional well-being, we monitor how the children are progressing in their academic goals (math/cognitive/linguistic), fine motor skills, gross motor skills and more.
Throughout the year, we offer opportunities for growth in all areas, but at this time, we like to invest even more energy to document and take note of where each child is at- to include in each child's professional portfolio. (parents, you will enjoy looking at these towards the end of the year!)
We put out a variety of opportunities for the children to manipulate, explore and learn.
One day this week, we put out a bunch of colanders, alongside all sorts of funky shaped/textured pipecleaners!
At first the children weren't sure what to do.
We asked the children if they thought the pipe-cleaners would fit inside the holes?
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| The holes in this colander were too small for the thicker pipe-cleaners, which encouraged some problem solving! |
Chaya discovered that her colander had different sized holes, and that the larger ones would fit into the larger holes, and the thinner ones- could fit in the smaller holes!
After several attempts...
the children were able to manipulate the new materials...and come up with all sorts of creations!
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| Look, I made lots of tunnels...i can put my fingers through it! |
This activity provided us with lots of information about the children's skills, and was a wonderful opportunity for the children to explore and investigate new materials!
It also promotes:
* creativity and independent thinking
* sensory and tactile play
* hand to eye co-ordination
* developing fine motor skills
* vocabulary: texture and descriptions (children could describe some of their creations.)
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