Science for Preschoolers: Part I

Typically thinking about science may conjure thoughts of glass beakers, periodic tables, and scientific methods. However, science for the preschooler is a bit more simplistic in nature. You can still expect your preschooler to use six crucial thinking steps to utilize science. The following is a list of the six thinking levels. 1. Your preschooler is able to discover! This may be the most exciting step and the most natural because it is a preschoolers' full-time job to discover. As the parent/teacher, you can encourage your child to think about what she is discovering by asking questions about what it is she is discovering. 2. Gathering information is something that a preschooler seems to do just as naturally and goes hand in hand with discovery. Preschoolers love to ask questions and that gives parents the okay to ask questions as well. You can ask "why do you think...?" questions to get a good idea of how your preschooler views the world. 3. Understanding is the next thinking level of science for a preschooler. Again asking questions of your preschooler but these questions are more of the "why did that happen?" or "what did you notice?" questions. 4. Experimenting is a level of trying new things with an activity, some variation. This is a perfect opportunity for asking the child about their observations of the comparison between the two scenarios. 5. Evaluating ideas accessing the different scenarios. You would ask "What would happen if we try this?" to encourage the child to explore different hypothesis in their mind. 6. Adjusting is the last level and this happens when a hypothesis or what they thought would happen, did not turn out quite the way they expected. Now the questions that are relevant are again "why do you think....?" You can observe these levels of thinking in your preschooler as you create situations for them to learn from. I will be posting some age-appropriate science activities next Sunday, as a part of a four part series, to give you some ideas of everyday things that can be used for scientific exploration.

Creating The Right Environment

Many moons ago, I use to be a teacher assistant in a Montessori School. On the first day, I observed the class where I was to be working. I remember walking in and thinking how something was missing. Ahh....It was the gigantic teachers desk that usually takes center stage in a classroom. I also noticed how all of the children were moving about without "permission" calmly and busily working. The Lead Teacher picked up a rain stick and walked over next to me. Then she turned the rain stick over and all of the children immediately packed away their activities and came over to a circular shaped rug and took a seat. She did this to introduce me to the students. It was the most amazing thing that I'd ever seen! I'd worked in many schools and daycares, but never witnessed something so natural and phenomenal. I began to take notice of how peaceful and interested the children all seemed about learning. I also began to realize that the learning environment played a huge role in the way that these children learned and learned so quickly. As a homeschooling mamma, I had to incorporate many of the lessons learned from that experience into my daughters learning. I believe that in carefully preparing a learning environment at home, it will foster a lifelong love of learning. I talk to parents all time whether homeschooling or not, about the importance of embracing and incorporating education in everyday life activities. There's a lesson in all things! With that said, here's five tips for how you can create the right environment for optimal learning:

• Model Behavior ~This is a biggy...read, write lists, show your children how you calculate how much you pay for bills, read labels while grocery shopping, etc.
• Provide Educational Opportunities ~Purchase quality toys and activities that provide rich learning experiences, Make sure paper and writing utensils are readily available.
• "Child-Friendly" Your Home ~Go through your home and make sure that learning materials are easily accessible and neatly displayed.
• Go Outside ~I can't express enough how important it is to take the kiddos out doors. WARNING:the questions that will come up can keep you researching for awhile.
• Encouragement ~Encouragement does not mean let them try and then take over. Instead guide them if they need help. Show them once or twice, but let them learn to do it for themselves.

Overlooked Learning in Pretend Play

I LOVE to watch Sunshyne work hard at pretend play! She comes up with these elaborate scenarios with layers of imagination. I think about the thought that has to go into her mini "soap operas." How did she come up with what happened next? Why did she use a particular item to represent something needed for her setting? These are all questions that keep me interested and delighted at Pretend Play. Many times parents of young children overlook the importance of pretend play and how their preschooler is learning from the experience. Well, today I'm here to help you better understand and appreciate what's happening during this process. I'll even give you a few tips on how to get involved and offer new learning experiences for your little one. First of all, lets talk about some of the valuable skills that your preschooler is learning through pretend play. Language skills is BIG here! They are being able to practically apply new words that they've learned and play with word arrangements in a non-threatening environment....what better way to learn new things? Intellectual skills are also being developed. Like I mentioned earlier, your preschooler is having to think about what will happen next. They may come up with a logical ending to a situation (this is normally for the older child). They may have some silly things going on to add humor. Dramatical outcomes or deal with some emotional issues. Speaking of emotional issues...they are also developing social-emotional skills. Again, they can explore anger, annoyance, sadness, guilt or any number of emotions in a non-threatening arena. They may also ask a friend to get in on the fun which adds a new facet to pretend play and extends the social-emotional piece. They can practice sharing and diplomatic negotiations about the scenarios. Lastly, the obvious gross and fine motor skills involved with moving around and manipulating small objects to accomplish effects and settings. Wheww...that's a lot of learning! Now, here's those tips on how you can get involved and offer extended learning experiences. I have been collecting empty water bottles, milk containers and food boxes for about 3 months now. Yes, my husband thinks I'm crazy...but I have a purpose! I want to teach Sunshyne about money and currency exchange. I was thinking that turning my dining room into a general store would be a great hands on way to learn. You can use this same concept to teach your preschooler many lessons. If you have a house full of ordinary household stuff, you can teach through pretend play. Here's some suggestions: Dress Up Tea Party-Teaching Manners and courtesy ~You will need: Old hats, scarves, shirts, jewelry, shoes, dresses, glasses, teapot, cups, and maybe some homemade cookies to make it special! Shoe Store-Money, measurements, matching ~You will need: Old shoe boxes, old or too small shoes, stuffed animals or dolls, play money (can be homemade), measuring instrument. Beauty shop-Hygiene ~You will need: Dolls (preferably with hair), stuffed animals, combs, brushes, empty shampoo bottles, towels, mirror, hair dryer (optional-maybe for older children). Zoo-animals, biology, nurturing, environmental issues, compassion for animals ~You will need: Stuffed animals, boxes for cages, maps (can be homemade), animal books, empty pet food containers. Note~This one can get elaborate if you want to encourage learning about habitats and plant life as well, just add the silk plants or paper made ones to the scene! Well, that's it for this week. I hope that you find this post helpful in getting your imaginative juices flowing. As always, feel free to comment or share your child's pretend play experiences with us!

Music and Movement

Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!! Today has been filled with the sounds of my little Sunshyne singing and enjoying music. She loves to sing and learn new songs. She even asked for new batteries for her old toy microphone to put on a pretend concert. I love to hear the sound of her little voice belting out tunes of old. Some of my childhood favorites that are now hers ~You are my Sunshine ~Twinkle, Twinkle little star ~If You're Happy and You Know It ...Just to name a few. Ironically, one of my colleagues asked me to assist him in teaching a music and movement class next week and I thought how interesting a topic that would be to start out the new year here with you. While I was sitting here deciding which angle I would take for the training, I came up with more than a few interesting tidbits to share with you. Of course, I realize that this is blog and not one of those 1200 word articles that I love to read, but never seem to find the time to do... much more than look at the pictures and skim the first two sentences of each paragraph. I decided to write as much as I could and I promise not to get offended if you only skim the first few sentences...I'm an adult, I can take it. I decided to talk about the importance of music in the lives of preschoolers and any age really, but this age is one of the most fun to watch. Music is truly universal! Have you ever noticed that children, both young and old, can learn the words to a song with very little effort? With that in mind, I believe that you can teach a child just about anything if it is put to music. When words, rhythm and repetition are all combined together, you have the recipe for learning! The following are some suggestions for you to make the most of your musical experience with your toddler or preschooler.

• Play music that is appropriate for the mood you are trying to set
• Encourage your child to get up or move her body parts while listening to music
• Make up songs to replace the words for added language skills building
• Purchase or make instruments to use along with the music
• Sing a special song together that includes your child's name
• Record your child's musical experience either by video or audio recorder
• Use finger plays, and encourage your child to follow the directions of the song and get a bonus practice on sequencing. (eg. Give a Dog a Bone, and Head and Shoulders)

Well, that's it for today, I am going to leave you with the words to one of my new favorite songs...

Five Little Monkeys

Five little monkeys sitting in a tree,

Teasing Mr. Alligator

You Can't catch me!

Along came Mr. Alligator

As quiet as can be

And he snapped that monkey right out of that tree!

Count down till there aren't anymore monkeys left or you can say that the last monkey says "you missed me!"

Feel free to share your comments on music and movement or anything that you've read here.

Learning to Write!

I remember when Sunshyne was learning to write. She would go through entire note books and draw just a few scribbles on each page. It was cute at first until I realized that every thing that I needed note book paper for would have her signature on it. Nevertheless, it's worth having patients for. Nothing describes the feeling of getting your first little letter from your child that says "I love you mommy!" There is a process to the writing madness of a preschooler. There's a lot involved with learning to write. Your preschooler must understand which direction the letters go on paper, that letters are important and symbolize something which has meaning, and eventually re-create letters to form their very own words. The process of writing goes something like this: 1. Scribbling: Which helps your toddler/preschooler realize that they can make a mark with the object and control what is drawn. This basically gives your preschooler the introduction to handling writing utensils and making something happen. 2. Constructive scribbling: which is the prelude to understanding that there is an order to the writing experience. This is where you will notice that the scribbles are going from left to right on the paper. 3. Understanding differences in written expression: This is evident when your child understands the difference between pictures and letters/words. 4. Actual Letters: Your toddler or preschooler may actually make shapes that look like letters and represent words. Don't be surprised if there very first, and favorite letter is the first letter of their name. It's called ego centrism, but we will talk about that at another time:) 5. Letter Trains: Now your preschooler understands that the symbols have meaning, that they are letters that form words, and that they go in a certain direction on the paper. It is now time for them to practice the letters and you may notice them practicing by making letter trains. This is a long string of letters that represent an idea or story. Have a little fun and ask your preschooler to read what she has written. 6. Actual Words: This is when your preschooler understands that the words are individual letters that make up a thought or statement. This is when you will begin to see spaces between the words on paper. 7. Spelling Sounds: Now your preschooler may be showing an interest in letter sound play and may be writing different beginning word sounds on paper. 8. Copying: Your preschooler will now be writing different words that she sees or may ask you to spell some words for her to write. 9. Actual Writing: Now you preschooler is organizing print and understanding how to write letters and words. Provide your child with lined paper and an array of writing utensils such as crayons, markers, pencils, pens, and even chalk (watch for allergies on this one). This will allow your preschooler to explore the world of writing in a number of venues and help you to understand where your preschooler is developmentally with writing. Allow your preschooler to make his "mark" on birthday cards and other important written correspondence to encourage learning. Happy writting!

Classifying, Matching, and Sorting...Oh My!

Sometimes as parents, we don't necessarily think of math outside of equations and formulas. However, there are some important precursors to the more complicated math. These may be known as early stages of math, which include classifying, matching, and sorting. Are you shocked to know that classifying, matching, and sorting all have to do with math? It is true, they are the building blocks to a solid foundation for mathematical concepts. Lets talk about each one briefly. Matching is the process of grouping two similiar objects together based on one or more characteristics. For example, your toddler or preschooler may have a red cup and a red hat and say that they match using the characteristic of color. This may be done using a variety of other characteristics such as shapes, size, sound, or texture. Sorting is similiar to matching except your preschooler will group together more than two objects by using similiar characteristics. This is great for laundry activities and other chores around the house. Most preschoolers seem to sort naturally and they love it! Classifying is somewhat a more advanced form of sorting. Your child may be close to 5 years old before they actually master this skill. Classifying involves a preschooler being able to group objects into categories without actually seeing the characteristics up close and personal. For example, four legged animals, water creatures, insects, etc. Now that we have a rough definition of the matching, sorting, and classifying lets talk activity! Build-A-Collection Collecting fun and interesting things is a wonderful activity for preschoolers. They will love being able to search and collect items for there new treasure box! 1. Seasonal items from nature like seashells, rocks, and leaves. 2. Small toys, like animal figures, insects, and cars. 3. Food items, like interesting pasta shapes, beans, and nuts. 4. Household items, like bottle tops, straws, and magnets. 5. Classroom supplies, like stickers, pencils, and game pons. 6. Misc. items, like thread spools, buttons, and beads. Treasure Box Matching Activity What you will need: 1. An old shoe box with a lid 2. Wraping paper or tissue paper 3. Stickers, markers, and other decorative items 4. Ziploc bag 5. Collected matching items (two item with the same characteristic) 6. Scissors 7. Tape Create Your Treasure Box Wrap the shoe box and lid with wrapping paper or tissue paper as your would a gift. Cut a hole into the lid large enough for your preschooler to put her hand through. Next, Let your preschooler decorate the treasure box anyway she likes. Now you are ready to put the collected items into the treasure box. How To Play Place one of each matching item into the treasure box. Next, spread the remaining matching items out on the floor or table. Have your preschooler close his eyes and put his hand into the treasure box and pick up one item. While his eyes are closed ask him to describe the item he has in his hand. This is a great opportunity for him to use some descriptive words. Next, ask him to pull out the object and match it with another object that has the same characteristic located on the floor or table. I think your preschooler will enjoy this learning activity. One of the best things about teaching preschoolers is that learning happens through play. So I encourage you to continue to play with your preschooler in a purposeful way and visit again for more math activities!

Learning Letters and Making Words Activity

Preschoolers learn new words through constant exposure. Normally, as parents we are exposing them to many different words when we are asking them to do something. We use plenty of directive words (expecially around age 2:). There are other kinds of words that are beneficial for our preschoolers to be exposed to when learning letters and words. These words are called descriptive words. Teaching your child more letters and words is as simple as engaging him/her in conversations that uses plenty of descriptive words! The following is an activity for learning letters and making words: What you will need:

• Markers
• An assortment of preschooler friendly "stuff" like, stickers, scraps of foam and material, yarn, cotton balls, dried beans, pipe cleaners, ribbon, lace, etc.
• Yarn or ribbon (small enough to go through the punched holes on poster board)
• Squares of poster board 8" x 8" with two holes punched down one side

Okay, now that you have all of your items for this activity it's time to teach your child some descriptive words!

1. Ask your child to join you in a little game.

2. Scatter all of your "preschooler friendly stuff " around on a table or floor.

3. You begin the game by describing the item that either you or your preschooler pick up first. (describe the item in detail using words describing the color, texture, element used to create it (wood, plastic, etc.).

4. Next, allow your preschooler to try and do the same thing as, your preschooler begins to describe an item use your maker to write down the descriptive words your preschooler has come up with on the poster board.

5. Once all of the items have been described and the words are written out ask your preschooler to find other items in the house that may fit some of the description words used.

6. Also, randomly ask your preschooler to identify any of the letters in the words that you have created together.

6. Use the yarn to create a small descriptive word book to use for future word games. Your preschooler may want to decorate the new book with stickers, foamies, or drawings. (This part could be great for an art activity:)