Power of Movement!

Gross motor play requires whole body movement and involves the large core muscles of the body such as standing, walking, running, and sitting.  It also includes eye-coordination skills such as throwing, catching, and kicking.  Gross motor play is any play that involves these large muscles groups and movements.  Having good gross motor skills is an important building block for other areas of school. For example, being able to sit at a desk for long periods of time requires strong core muscles and posture, and is also necessary to be able to learn to write.

Ideas for gross motor play at home:  obstacle course, dancing games, hopscotch, Simon Says, crab walks, catching and balancing games, playground activities.

Benefits of gross motor include:

·        Long-lasting good health

·        Increased confidence

·        Improved self-esteem

·        Social skills

·        Release of stress and frustration

·        Increased body movement and flexibility

·        Better negotiates the environment

·        Improved hand/eye coordination

 Don't break the chain!  PK2 thought moving the hula hoop around the circle was a hilarious game!

 Even Ms. Sebinra got in on the movement fun.

 Ring Around The Rosie is great fun!

 STRIKE!

 How about some ring toss?

 Making art by moving the ball around the box.

 Using pool noodles to hit balloons.

 Our tunnels are always fun.

 It's beach ball mania in Toddler One!

 Just a little stretching.

 Baby yoga class.

 Objects moving through tunnels.

 Homemade ski ball game.

 Roll it on up!

 Bike day obstacle course.  Weaving in and out of cones.

 Balancing takes concentration.

Look at that action shot!

Baby Yoga

This week we are focusing on the Power of Movement.  When we think of movement we often think of being quick and fast.  But movement can also be slow and controlled.  We gave our babies a special treat today of Infant Yoga.  They enjoyed some one-on-one time with a teacher, instructor or mom!  They got to stretch and enjoy a massage.  We love spoiling our precious babies here at AoCS!

 All lined up, ready to go!

 Massaging their legs and feet.

 The one-on-one connection was so special.

What a fun morning!

The Power of Play Continues

Can you believe there is only one month left of our summer program?!  Neither can we!  But to keep the momentum going we hosted another "Power of Play" training for our amazing educators.  We learned all about DAP (Developmentally Appropriate Practices) and the importance of play.  We even got to do some playing of our own.  It was great information and time well spent bonding together.

 Writing down open-ended questions to ask children during play.

 Ms. Brittany reading the questions we cam up with.

 Now it's on to the pool noodle challenge!

 TEAMWORK!

 We made a whole obstacle course out of only five pool noodles!

 Another group made an awesome flower.

And there was even a homemade stacker set.

The Power of Our Senses

This week we have explored the power of our senses.

Sensory play is, quite simply, any activity that stimulates the senses. This includes the five main senses of touch, smell, sight, taste, and sound, as well as the two not-as-frequently-mentioned senses: vestibular (sense of balance) and proprioceptive (sense of where each body part is in relation to the rest).

From birth, children learn about their world using their five senses.  As they grow, children’s senses are their most familiar and most basic way to explore and process new information.  Sensory play enhances learning through hands-on activities that stimulate the child’s senses.  Sensory play is a great way for children to explore the world they live in.

It’s also important to note that an activity that is perfectly stimulating for one child may be under- or over-stimulating for another child. Thus, not all children will gravitate to all sensory activities. While it is perfectly acceptable to encourage your child to try new and even uncomfortable things, it is important not to push the child to do things too far out of his or her comfort zone.

Some benefits of sensory play include:

 

• Builds nerve connections in the brain’s pathways, which lead to the ability to complete more complex learning tasks
• Supports language development, cognitive growth, fine and gross motor skills, problem solving skills, and social interaction
• Aids in developing and enhancing memory
• Helps calm an angry or frustrated child
• Helps children learn sensory attributes (hot, cold, sticky, dry)

 Getting nice and gooey with shaving cream fun!

 Exploring a homemade sensory block.

 This glitter bag is super cool!

 Learning senses with Mr. Potato Head.

 Do you need to visit the eye doctor?

 Water beads are squishy and cold.

 Getting our eyes checked at the doctor.

 Getting fitted for glasses.

 Magnifying glasses distorts what we see.

 Play-doh is a great sensory experience!

 This texture card feels neat!

 Making a texture name collage.

 Shaving cream bag is super fun!

 Nature collage.

 Mixing "mud"

 More water bead play.

 Hearing the maraca, smelling the flower, and more sensory exploration.

 Ms. Neelam taught us all about senses.

 This smelling bottle smells soooooo good!

Rocking Out with the Sock Rockerz

Our annual Kindergarten Boot Camp program is quickly coming to a close.  As one last special treat we invited the Sock Rockerz to come for a concert centered around being a good friend and having good character.  School is about ABC's and 123's but it's also about social and emotional development.  We want our graduates to head off to kindergarten with the skills they need to be successful...not only cognitively but socially and emotionally as well.  We learned a lot and had a rockin' good time doing it!