What we "did all day"

Honeysuckle Home Daycare ReviewMay/June News 2012






Sorting recycleables activity



This is a condensed summary of activities and experiences in my daycare setting. If you have any questions, please feel free to jot it down in the comment box.

Most recent activities first:
Language:Weekly Readers/ S page, Rhyme words with Sun & make a list simultaneously, Writing journals,
Number 10 worksheets, 10 fingers poem, Ten in a bed activity with bear counters, ABC stamp & song, What is your favorite thing about Mom & chart it, Introduce X, Y, Z & review activities (in May)example of Y = “Y is for Yes” game
Math: Sunshine number memory game, Match clothespin to number on wheel, Trace hands & number fingers, 10 fingers transition song, yellow object hunt,
Art:Yellow mosaic, Sun safety puppets, Color, cut & paste sun w/rays, X-ray chalk hand tracings, Color mixing circles (red, yellow, blue), number mosaic, Folded tulips art
Science/Health: Went on a “Yellow Walk” on the Katy Trail, For Conversation Starters: What might you see in the sky during the day? They had lots to say about this , Magnet balls & sticks, Magna Tiles, Sand play
Blocks: Color view blocks, pvc connectors, Legos & hotwheels
Dramatic Play: Dr. kit prop box, Hats & boots play, Grocery store play, Veterinarian play, Baby dolls dress up play

Fine Motor: Puzzle play, Finger plays, Cutting practice, Gluing practice, Foam Floor puzzle
Gross Motor: Bounce/catch game, Learning to slide (for toddlers), Push/pull red wagon both with or without riders, Dancing to various types of music, London Bridge, Rolling down the “big” hill
Stories:  I have lots of series booksLlama llama Loves Mama + other llama stories
Froggy stories
There Was an Old Lady stories
Feelings stories like “I Was So Mad” or “If You’re Angry & You Know It”.
& Many Many More

March 2012 News

Between shaking off the winter blues and gearing up for spring activities. It’s been fun keeping busy this time of year.

Coming up we'll begin some spring planting, have some fun with St. Patrick's Day & enjoy the wonderful warm days ahead.

We'll celebrate St. Patrick's Day on Friday, March 16 at 10 am with a party atmosphere. Policy change on bringing in sweet items per food program regulations. See Note on front door.

Center fun

Some experiences we had included:
1 is Fun party
1 of each ABC on front door
1 writing
Circle 1's in magazine (single objects)
1 Little Helicopter Action Rhyme (see below)
Baby bottle bowling
Roll ball thru the tunnel
Beanbag toss into clown's mouth
Dance to 50's music
Painting with shaving cream paint
Rhythm sticks & music
Wooly Lamb art
Will it Blow away experiment

One Little Helicopter
1 Little helicopter up in the sky
Looking for one's as he flies by
He spies one (tree,bird, etc) on the ground
And circles the "...." all around.

Dr Seuss Party

We enjoyed the Dr. Seuss Day very much
I only wish I owned more of his books. Definitely a future endeavor in book ordering.
For that special day we:
Read the Cat In The Hat lift the flap book,
Colored a Dr. Seuss color page
Sort colored 'counters' on a hat color page
Made a list of words that rhymed with "hat" on a hat color page
And of course had "egg" sandwiches for lunch

Storytime

When the Wind Stops
When I'm Big
Mother Goose Nursery Rhymes
Pocahontas "Painting With the Wind"
My Favorite Seasons
The Wind Blew
The 3 Billy Goats Fluff (teaches kindness)
Silly Sally   & many more

Accreditation News

Accreditation process is coming along.
so far I have achieved all my goals and acquired some gift cards for

Constructive Playthings so planning my purchases for outdoor play items.

Can't wait!!!!

More Activities

Weekly Readers
Writing journals (added letters on lids for writing inspiration)
Washing dishes outdoors
Chalkboard writing outdoors
Dress Up play
Color viewers (sensory/science)
Lions for March (art)
Barn play with animals (a favorite)
Party Hats (art)
Circle time with "A Children's book about Disobeying" Much discussion

and hopefully good food for thought.

Activities for "at home" tab

I'm adding some page tabs on this blog. One will have contact information.

The other will have some activities you can do at home with items you

have on hand. Hope you'll enjoy this new addition to the blog.

February 2012, Party Info

Following the 'rectangle' shape path & Hide-n-Seek the Hearts are 2 activities we didn't get listed on the printed newsletter.

Dear Families,

Even if your child is not able to attend, we will have treat bags for them. We won’t let anyone feel left out.  I have always had parties at 10 am for best attendance. The times I have attempted  afternoon parties, someone always leaves before we are done. Parents’ schedules are never perfect (just like life) and this is just what has always worked best after 15+ years of trial and error. If sending Valentine cards or treats, just place your child’s name on each one and they can pass them out without any problem. To have enough for all the children above 1 yr, (Desmond is pretty close) you will need 10 cards or treats. Your discretion on either one and as always, this is NOT obligatory.     Thanks!!

Book orders available for February if interested.  Again, ordering is optional. If doing so, make checks out to myself or send cash as I do online orders via my checking account.  Due date is Friday, Feb.17.

Have a wonderful week!!            Stephanie

Learning Centers

Language: “Explore” magazines from MO. Conservation Dept. – Weekly Readers & activity pages – Phonics game – Who’s in your heart? Group Conversation –

Math: Same/different color page – same/different discrimination w/people, beanbags, etc – Don’t Eat Flash!! (party game)

Science:

Manipulatives: Cutting shape practice – How fast can you match the hearts? – Fill & dump & stack blocks

Art: Color dog pages – Fill you grocery cart (healthy foods recognition) – Chalk board writing – Trace hearts page -

Dramatic Play: Post office play –

 We experienced………

·         1 to 1 correspondence w/1 stamp to 1 envelope

·         Paperpunch practice(strengthening fingers for prewriting skills)

·         Writing letters on envelopes

·         Folding & filling envelopes

·         Much language interaction & social skills demonstrated

Examples: “Don’t tear it up”

“Do you know how to write your name?”

“This is fun!”

“It worked!! See Brilyn??”

Large Muscles: Soccer play – Happy Hearts Exercises

Music:”Baby band” song - Sing &pass beanbag @ circle time – “Freeze dance” w/banjo music – Song Stash Singing – Skinamarink Song practice

Story List

If You’re Angry & You Know It    Time for Bed

Froggy Bakes a Cake        Wibble Wobble     

Goldilocks & the 3 Bears          Sweet Hearts          

Just Going to the Dentist  

Alice in Wonderland :a curious counting book

& many more!!!

Sharing our Month of January

Dear Families,

 It has been a rough month with computer issues here. It took 2 weeks to clear up our main computer and I still am leery about using it. So decided to use the laptop and get on with business.

Tax info is ready to be picked up at your convenience.

I have not planned my vacation dates for the coming year yet as I may need to close for a few extra days this spring to redo our bathroom. When I figure all this out I’ll let you know well in advance.

Our recent themes have been short & sweet in an attempt to cover more learning areas. For example, we had a 3 day Airplane theme. And with the birth of another baby, we had a “Baby Day”. These are what child care providers call Opportunistic Learning. When we go with what the children are interested in, we gain more of their attention and therefore the lessons learned increase. I have so many ideas from the years past that I am very anxious to take them out again & again because they work!  So when your child doesn’t come home with a ditto sheet, don’t fret. We have been learning through life experiences and those are lifelong lessons.

Have a great week!    Stephanie

Check out my other blog for some pics of the

 children's activities in action :

Stephanie's Stuff

Learning Centers

Language:  Weekly Readers w/ activity pages – ABC Soup (cover the letter & name an ingredient) – Listening to Books on CD individually – S Tracing page – Rhyme page – Letter Listening Game – Pig Bingo – A Sound Cards – Snowman color word page - Writing Journals-

M & K Sound game

Math: Color match file folder game – Counting cookies file folder game – Sequencing file folder activity – match a snowflake page – Snowman maze page – Trace shapes & complete the pattern page

Science: Homemade etch a sketch – 4 Seasons cut & paste – Count how many airplanes we hear during a day

Art: Calendar puzzles – Airplane stamping w/cotton clouds – Airplane mobiles – Rectangle drawings made into puzzles – I draw a line, you draw a line art (taking turns) – Make a picture from a large Letter drawn on paper – Rectangle collages

Manipulatives: String color beads – Cut snowman shapes – Create color block runways to match color of airplane – Recreate Block shapes w/Legos ( E, X, Diamond, Triangle)

Music: Bananas in Pajamas on YouTube – I’m gonna catch a baby bumblebee – Dance to banjo tunes – She’ll be comin round the mountain – The Rectangle song w/shapes for each to hold up  

Large Muscles: Letter action cards – Dancing – Walk the path of rectangles, & tip toe, & march, etc – Letter Basketball – Snowball (pom poms) tossing – Bean bag toss

Dramatic Play: Doctor prop box – Dress up play – Baby play day – Little People & houses play – Horses & blocks for fences – hotwheels & maps

But What Do the Babies Do All Day???

If we engage with babies during caregiving tasks, they learn about their bodies and how to care for them. They learn language naturally and internalize it because they don’t just hear our words, they experience them through all of their senses. (“Can you help me squeeze the warm water out of this yellow sponge?”) Most importantly, babies learn that their participation is expected and highly valued. From: http://www.janetlansbury.com/2011/08/the-secrets-of-infant-learning/  We engage babies here with hugs, cuddles, singing, laughter, speaking, and plenty of eye contact. These are the ways we show all children how to care.

November Newsletter

Playdough Tools

Dear Families,

Thank you for your book orders. I expect them no later than Friday Dec. 2. I will go ahead & put out the December Scholastic Book Club order to give you one last chance at ordering for Christmas. They will be due the following Friday, Dec. 9. We must have them ordered by Saturday Dec 10 at the latest to insure timely delivery. You are not obligated to order, but if you do, please understand the need for this deadline date. Thank you for your understanding in advance.

We’ll keep it simple for December in our themes. Holidays are hectic for many & children feel the stress as much as we do. We will cover Christmas topics such as the colors Red & Green, Shapes associated with Christmas such as Gingerbread Boy, Star & Christmas Tree, and others I choose to keep up with the seasonal learning opportunity.

Our Tentative Christmas Caroling dates are as follows:

Friday, Dec. 9 @ 5:00 pm

Friday, Dec. 16 @ 5:00 pm

I have chosen 2 in case of inclement weather. I also have selected a later time to allow parents to accompany us as well as to allow neighbors to be “at home”. It has been a challenge in previous years to find people at home to sing to. I will send more info by note with your children next week.

Have a great week!!       Stephanie

Learning Centers

Language: Weekly Readers w/activity page – Writing Journals using prompts such as Music, Turkey Letters & Thanksgiving Food Cards – On Track to Kindergarten page – Color by letter Turkey Turkey Sound/ABC match – Beginning sounds song/game w/ Thanksgiving food cards

Fine Motor: Stacking blocks & making block creations – Cutting food pics – Sorting  legos – Dressing vests

Math: Lego play *inside* the circle rugs – Mr & Mrs Potato Head play – Find the Teddy Bear card/color & shape game – Pattern block cards – Bear Bingo (small,med. & large) – Bear Bingo w/colors – Math mat w/playdoh (cover pie mat with certain number of playdoh “cherries” – Puzzle play – Pom poms & tongs filling & dumping

Science: Recording our voices singing, talking, telling a story on a recorder – Paint & salt writing – Make popcorn & graph favorite flavors(butter,cinnamon,garlic) -

Music: Music toy choices while singing – Christmas carol practice

Art: Cereal Necklaces – Color turkey, paint w/glue & sprinkle thyme over the glue -

Large Muscles: walk on the tape line with arms out, arms up, etc – Action cards – Jump in the leaves – Try to bounce a ball in the leaves (science experiment in asking for predictions) – Toy washing indoors

Dramatic Play: Hospital Prop Box – Puppet Play – Shoe Store Prop Box

Conversation Can: Have you ever lost something you really liked? What did you do?

Stories

LMNO Peas 

The 3 Billy Goats Gruff

The Leaf Blew In   

ack & the Beanstalk

My Apron    

 Tom Goes to Kindergarten

Cock a Doodle Hooooo   

Pancakes, Pancakes

& many more

November is Here!

Life-size tracing of Gracie for her 3rd Birthday Party!!
We used the back side of wallpaper samples & taped them together to make a large enough paper for the tracing.

Notice we are copying 'Happy Birthday'??? Exciting to see the pre-reading going on!!

This home made game became a popular 'after nap' activity for the early-risers.

Newsletter Below:

Dear Families,

Book orders for November are available. Great idea for stocking stuffers!! They are on the bulletin board behind the front door if interested. If ordering, make any checks out to myself as I order online with my check card. End date for ordering is Friday, Nov. 18.

Themes coming up are “ The Five Senses” & “Thanksgiving” as well as letter/prereading activities. The next newsletter will be after the Thanksgiving Break.Have a great week!         Stephanie

Fingerplay For The Coming Week!!

I Clap My Hands

I clap my hands. (Suit actions to words.)
I touch my feet and
I jump up from the ground.

I clap my hands.
I touch my feet and
I turn myself around.

I clap my hands.
I touch my feet and
I sit myself right down.

I clap my hands.
I touch my feet and
I do not make a sound.

Learning Centers

Language: Weekly Readers w/activity pages – Online Halloween Haunted House (for fun) – ABC cover up on pumpkin shape – Make a Word game -

Math: Color,cut,glue sequence page(pumpkin) – Trace Gracie & color (size comparison makes this part Math, part art) – Puzzles

Art: Shy Bats (paper folding) -  Orange collage – Tattoos for party – Water color painting –

Science: Cooking together

·         Mixing up a batch of Cole Slaw

·         Mashing crackers for Tuna Patties

Large Muscles: Monster golf (eyeballs drawn on ping pong balls) – Monster eye toss in parachute – Hop scotch indoors –parachute ball toss  & roll – Trade places under the parachute with a friend  -- ABC Bean bag toss

Manipulatives: Pumpkin lacing cards – Letter Pumpkin Fishing – Drop the eyes in a can

Music: ABC Musical Chairs (write the letter on their tablet when they sit in a chair) -

Dramatic Play: Dress up free play w/clothes, shoes, hats, costumes, etc.

Conversation Can: How many animal sounds can you make? – What kind of treat would you buy for yourself ?

Stories

5 Little Bats Flying in the Night

Shake Dem Halloween Bones

The Night Before Halloween

Look Whooo’s Counting

What Will You Be?

The Bears and the Great Big Storm

October News

I LOVE conversations with children that encourage them to share their thoughts!! The different life events we engage in is so often very much on their minds and they need a chance to voice their opinions,hopes,fears and more.

Their answers are so eye-opening as to what emotions they are experiencing.

The best part of all is the way it makes them feel important that someone asked 'what they think'.

 Excerpts from our October 24, newsletter below:

in other words.....

what "we do all day"

 

Upcoming learning centers will include “Awake at Night” &  “A Long Sleep”  w/Weekly Readers, Halloween Fun,  more letter learning & much more. Have a great week!!!

Stephanie

Infant/Toddler Fun

Fine Motor Activities:

Banging Activities:

* banging two toys together
* pound-a-ball toys
* banging hands on high chair
* toy workbench and hammer toys
* musical instruments

Learning Centers

Language: Weekly Readers – Animated story “Forest Animals” online w/weekly reader – Writing journals daily – I Had a Little Nut Tree poem/colorpage – Pp pumpkins displayed for writing journal inspiration – Do You Like Monsters?(graphing)  - Showers for Flowers (sort letters from symbols) – Stencils for writing journals

Math: Shape cards (find the hidden teddy bear) – Sorting letters/numbers on a chart & glue – ABC leaf bingo - Firetruck/ Burning house Maze – Firetruck Bingo – Sort leaf cutouts into colored baskets- Count the Fall Things page – Pumpkin Patch Phonics board game

Art: Blow Paint Art – Scare crow creation – shape face pumpkins cut & paste

Science: Baked egg-free cookies – Liquid layers in clear jar(tinted water, dawn dish soap, cooking oil) – Stop, Drop & Roll practice – Discovery windows w/leaves, acorns & walnuts displayed – Leaf hunt for rubbings & sorting activities -

Music: Autumn Leaves song – Down at the Firehouse – Musical letters game(each child had own paper & crayon to ‘write the letter’ when the music stopped

Manipulatives: Dressing vests practice – Magna tiles play – Hammer golf t’s into Styrofoam & remove (removing the t’s strenghthens the fingers to prepare for writing practice)

Dramatic Play: Firefighters prop box includes:

Fire hats, boots, oxygen tanks(backpacks), hand bell, gloves, flashlights, stuffed animals to rescue – Shoe Store prop box

Large Muscles: Stay Low & Go practice w/parachute -  Find the hidden “F” flames & put ‘em out – Letter Action Cards ( new Favorite!!!!) – Hula Hoop play – Jump over the fire (wiggling jump rope) – Parachute games: Turtle on your back crawl & Parachute roll(took turns rolling 1 child at a time on the parachute)

Stories  (not all-inclusive)

If You Give a Cat a Cupcake * Leaves  Are on the Trees

 Baker, Baker, Cookie Maker * Fighting Fires

Flashing Fire Engines * I’m Going to be a Fire Fighter

Firefighters! * Fall Changes *Halloween Bones

Llama Llama Misses Mama*Llama Llama Red Pajama

Llama Llama Mad at Mama *16 Runaway Pumpkins

The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything