W/F 1-AM Toddler Lab

May 24th 2019

Mrs. Courtney
This Week’s Activities

Free Play Activities (subject to change based on available resources and child need)
Art: Pictures of Us! – Children will have the opportunity to get to know the members of our class as they color and paint (with dot paints) on pictures
of themselves, their teachers, and each other.
Sensory: The Process of Exploring Water – Children will have the opportunity engage with new, as well as familiar, materials at the sensory table as
they play and explore.
Indoor Fine Motor: “Plunker Cans” – Children will have the opportunity to develop an understanding of their ability to affect the world around them
as they pick up and push cars, large beads, and other materials of similar size through the top of the plastics lids on the cans (“Plunker Cans”).
Cause and Effect: Pushing and Pulling – Children will have the opportunity to push and pull a variety of toys around the room.

Large Group Activity: I Love My Shoes! – Children will have the opportunity to engage in visual and performing arts by looking, listening, singing,
dancing, and/or moving along to a children’s book that encourages creative expression: Pete the Cat, I Love My White Shoes by Eric Litwin and
James Dean.

Outdoor Activities on the Large Playground (subject to change based on the weather conditions of the playground):
Ice and Nature – Children will have the opportunity to experiment with different temperatures of water as they play, explore, and experiment with
ice blocks (flowers & leaves frozen in water) in the sensory table outside.
Pedaling and Riding – Children will have the opportunity to practice sustaining their strength for increased periods of time as they ride or pedal
tricycles or the other car riding toys.

Inclement Weather Activity: Balancing and Moving! – If the need for an inclement weather activity arises, then children will have the opportunity to
to practice coordinating intentional and complex movements with their whole bodies as they explore rocking and balance seats on soft mats in
the classroom.

Classroom Focus: This week’s plan focuses on giving the toddlers opportunities to use their creativity and individuality to develop independence
through play, exploration, and experimentation. The toddlers will be able to practice skills that are important for developing self-esteem and a
positive self-concept as they they hold crayons, make marks, and dot paint in the art area. The fine motor area will support their ability to
understand their effect on objects and the world around them to ultimately increase in self-esteem. The open-ended materials at the sensory table
will support the children’s development of creative and innovative thinking. And, our large group activity provides children the opportunity to gain
an appreciation for the arts as they sing and dance to the song, “I Love My White Shoes.”

Home Extension Activity: At home, your child can continue to develop their creativity and develop a positive sense of self through it. I have
included some heart shaped melted wax crayon molds for your child to color with. As your child participates in this coloring activity, not only will
they grow in their creativity, they will also be able to strengthen their fine motor skills and abilities. Engaging with your child during activities like this
can support your parent-child relationship positively, and in turn build your child’s self-confidence and support their growth as a unique individual.