Imagination Run Wild

Boy are we impressed with the imagination in this class. Believe it or not, imaginative play is one of the highest pinnacles of learning in early education, and something that we work hard to help nurture in the classroom. Here are just a few of the skills being developed when your child is playing imaginatively: 

• An understanding of symbolic notation is developed. For example, a stick isn't just a stick; it can be a wand, a marshmallow launcher, or a spoon. Before a child can assign value to something like a letter or a number, they first have to understand that different objects/pictures can have meaning, or "stand for" something else. This happens all the time during play.  

• Language skills are practiced and developed. Think of all the negotiating, conversing, and back and forth dialogue that happens in imaginative play. Strong language skills are the foundation for strong literacy skills!

• Kids practice social skills. Problems arise all the time during imaginative play; two kids want to be the same character, two kids want the same prop, a friend was more rough than they meant to be. Imaginative play gives kids an opportunity to solve problems in authentic ways. 

And there's so much more! If you're interested, check out this compelling video from Defending The Early Years. 

Here are some specific pictures of the fun we had this week: 

The Queen of the Chipmunks collects berries for a special potion. 

A quiet spot with a friend. 

Our last monarchs emerged! Safe journey to "Tow Truck" and "Ice Cream Cone Head"!

Imagine this nice little conversation...

We opened up our "Leaf Lab" on Monday. Scissors, hole punches, and colorful leaves = fun exploring and great fine-motor development. 

We've been doing a lot of thinking about our birdhouse, and the birds who might move in. Next week we'll work on hanging it up!

We had a special guest at our circle on Tuesday (who also happens to be my husband:). Mike read us The Very Hungry Caterpillar in Mongolian! 

He also brought apples and honey to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Shana Tova!

Looking for birds on the nature trail. 

We loved the rain on Wednesday and Thursday!

Our plexiglass easel is great fun when it's wet. 

A little water in the mud kitchen creates a whole different world of play scenarios. 

Ask your child to tell you about using "belly buddies" at circle time on Thursday. 

As part of our mindfulness time, we put the heavy "buddies" on our bellies and felt our breath take them for a gentle ride. 

Friday cooking - granola bars. 

They were very popular! (Find the recipe linked in the email I sent.)