Pumpkin identification in our Toddler Community Pumpkin Patch located on the toddler playground has been just as fun as we expected. Our toddlers, with their very keen ability to spot anything new, would immediately notice and want to know they types of any new addition to the patch. At first glance, the work in the patch can be labeled as something as simple as, ‘fun with pumpkins.’ But when you take a slightly different perspective, one can see all the learning that was taking place in so many different crucial educational and developmental areas.
Language Acquisition:
Using proper names for the pumpkins and gourds.
Using descriptive language to describe the pumpkins and gourds.
Mathematical Foundation:
Organizing,classifying, and comparing the varieties of pumpkins.
Gross Motor Development:
Lifting, carrying, rolling and transporting the pumpkins.
Social Skills/Communication:
Figuring out how to express their wants.
Navigating situation that may arise from a friends saying yes or no.
And of course, it was fun to boot. “Play is the work of the child.” – Maria Montessori
We are still enjoying our Baking Song and have now added the Fruit and Vegetable Song. We sing about fruits and vegetables that you can peel and act it out with arm movements and then proceed to place an action to that fruit or veggie. For instance, “form the corn, form, form the corn. Peel the corn, peel, peel the corn. POP the corn, POP, POP the corn.” It is a big hit. And of course, ‘ Five Little Pumpkins’ is still in rotation and a classroom favorite.
“Five little pumpkins sitting on a gate.
The first one said, “Oh my it’s getting late.”
The second one said, “There are witches in the air.”
The third one said, “But we don’t care.”
The fourth one said, “Let’s run and run and run.”
The fifth one said, “I’m ready for some fun.”
Oooooooo went the wind and out went the lights.
And the five little pumpkins rolled out of sight.”
As we continue to move into the harvest season, we will continue to shine a light on the idea of ‘doing for others’. We will be baking for birthdays, for our Toddler Community Bake Sale, and for our Harvest Share right before our Thanksgiving Break.
This year, in addition to baking and sharing snack with the Pigeon Plum Toddler Classroom, we are excited to welcome another classroom to join our Celebration of friendship and giving. The Spanish Lime Classroom, our Lower Elementary classroom at The Children’s School, with also be preparing food to share with the toddlers at snack on November 18th.
For the past month, members from the Spanish Lime classroom have come down to the toddler classrooms at 2:15 to either help he toddler pack up from nap or read stories before dismissal. The toddlers look forward to the visits from their older friends and it is interesting to watch the relationships grow between the youngest and oldest children on campus. Although, this Harvest Share Celebration is a child only event, we will make sure to document the ‘First breaking bread of the Spanish Limes and Toddler Community’ and we hope that the feelings of love, sharing, and gratitude carry with the children as you enjoy Fall Break with your families.
Ms. Liz and Ms. Dori
