Happy 2012! I wish each and every one of you a year of peace, good health, prosperity, joy, laughter, compassion, serenity and inspiration. After the hustle and bustle of December, January is the perfect time to slow down and rededicate yourself to creating a stimulating, developmental, and joyous environment for your students. It seems amazing to note how the children change over the holidays; some appear to make developmental leaps while others appear to require more attention and reminders about proper behavior. Please join me in creating Magical “New Year’s” Moments for your preschoolers by introducing activities from my Magical Moments Curriculum Guide.
THEME: HAPPY NEW YEAR
In order to provide the children with a warm “welcome back” after their holiday vacation, decorate the classroom with balloons and streamers before their arrival. As each child enters the classroom, make certain to say, “Happy New Year”!
I begin each morning by displaying theme related activities on a table/tables designated as “The Welcome Tables”. The activities are designed to engage the boys and girls in hands-on, independent activities as the teacher welcomes students and parents.
NEW YEAR’S WELCOME TABLES: Display glittery playdough, number shaped cookie cutters, and rolling pins on individual placemats. Place sand into trays so that the children can use their fingers to create designs, letters, and/or numbers. Arrange objects that make sounds like trains, matching sound shakers, empty water bottles, bells, small pianos, rain makers, and /or other appropriate musical instruments. Puzzles, Legos and counting/sorting (homemade or store bought) manipulatives are always a wonderful addition to the morning’s activities. The water table or large basins can be filled with shiny confetti, scoops, jars, and party hats so that children have fun pouring and measuring.
Additional theme related stories, fingerplays, crafts, musical selections, games, large and fine motor activities, and special New Year’s “circle times” can be found in The Magical Moments Curriculum Guide.
As always, my series of Margaret the Magnificent books make for great reading, enjoying, and learning…..
I hope that you join me in making every school day, a time of wonder, magic and joy for your preschoolers. Donna
Recent Comments