While this past week was short, the Infant Room was beaming and overflowing with excitement and expectation. From sensory play to shape formation, each day was full of laughter, learning and fun.
Younger Infants:
Our youngest continued their sensory exploration. Replicating a treasure hurt, items were placed in uncooked rice allowing them to explore the hard, rough grains as they attempted to grab the hidden objects. Cooked and uncooked pasta was another form of texture. Their little hands felt the soft squishy pasta then moved on to the hard uncooked version.
Middle Infants:
Our middle aged infants brought the outdoors inside. Altering exploring the texture of a variety of leaves, they used their hands and other leaves to paint them. Further sensory play involved dry and wet sand. According to the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), bringing natural elements inside helps them learn that they can contribute and enrich their own learning.
Older Infants:
Our oldest students continued their discovery of circles. Modeling clay was used to form balls of clay. With some effort, their capable hands molded miniature clay snowmen. They were visibly impressed that the clay could be pulled apart and manipulated with ease. Towards the end of the week, an earlier provocation was revisited: Printing with Everyday Objects. Circular items were used to paint on white paper. Compared to when this provocation was first introduced (September 2015), our students had more control of the items and notice the circular imprints quicker.
Looking Ahead:
This week, the younger infant group will explore rhythm through music and nursery rhymes. Aiding to development of gross motor skills, they will explore their rooms to discovery instruments. The middle group will focus on making music with everyday objects; one provocation will involve making their own personal instruments. Finally, the one-year-old infants will explore cause and effect using tape, paint, and crayons. To continue their social-emotional development, they will engage in games and provocations to learn each other names.
Reminders:
Please check cubbies daily.
Remember to wash your hands and your child’s hands upon arrival.
Provocations tend to get messy; please consider bringing an extra change of clothes.