The last couple weeks at UDA Creative Arts Preschool we’ve been learning all about our F is for Farm theme and G is for Garden theme. In Utah, crisp fall weather brings with it leaves, pumpkins, seeds, and farm animals to explore! We have loved providing so many interactive learning opportunities for our preschoolers.
Applied Learning
It is so exciting for us to see our learning in the classroom coming to life for our preschool friends!
In our movement class, the children used their large motor skills as the leaves fell from the trees to the ground. We observed the colors and shapes of leaves as they change in the fall.
Then, how exciting it is for us to see the applied mulitsensory learning as the children discover gravity at work as the leaves dropped off our very own preschool trees! The falling bright colors came to life on our playground.
Farm Country
Milking our cow “mooved” us to a new understanding of milk production. This activity not only helped us learn where milk comes from, it also strengthened small motor skills and allowed us to practice turn-taking, an important life skill.
We followed up our milking activity using milk to make cream and butter. All our children had a turn shaking it up!
But it may be unanimous that the best part was tasting it! What a fun way for us to put scientific learning into action! We not only learned where the milk comes from, but watched the chemical change from milk to cream to butter.
Also, for our F is for Farm theme, we had some farmyard visitors!
Having chickens come visit our preschool inspired our play-based learning, solidifying the concepts we discussed as we examined our new clucking friends and other farm animals.
Growing Gardeners
For our G is for Garden theme, at our science table we were able to see how a pumpkin grows on the vine, what it looks like inside, what its seeds are like, as well as some other grain and the soil that helps them grow.
Our little soil lovers also experimented with what happens when you add water to soil. You can ask any preschooler, it doesn’t get much more fun than mud! We also planted seeds and discussed the importance of soil in growing seeds.
Finding Our Courage
I spy a butterfly has become a favorite pastime at UDA Creative Arts Preschool. We’ve not only learned about the process of caterpillar turning into a butterfly, we’ve observed butterflies, moved like butterflies, we created artistic butterflies, we’ve even sung about butterflies.
We felt different emotions as we said goodbye to our butterflies. We were sad it was time to say goodbye, but we felt happy they could be free.
One of our butterflies didn’t want to leave Ms. Sherene’s hand. We thought maybe it was nervous! Then, one of those heart touching moments of teaching, the children helped the butterfly find it’s courage as they yelled, “It will be okay!”, “Try your best!”, and, “You can do it!”. Then the butterfly found its courage and was on its way!
Courage comes in all forms! Role play can often help children overcome fears they may have as they imagine and act them out in their minds.
And sometimes we need to find our courage to solve problems. Ask your child what they’ve been learning about courage! Help them see how they are using their courage to be a problem solver at home.
Sunflower Art
While we were discussing F is for Farm, as well as gardens and seeds, we also learned F is for Flower. In art we did a Vincent Van Gogh unit and discussed his sunflower paintings. The children studied sunflowers, their color and textures, and applied their learning and observations to create sunflower paintings.
TRY THIS AT HOME: As with all our art activities, our focus is more on process over product. Allow your child the same opportunity at home to find flowers or garden food and examine their shapes and colors. Then let them use an art medium to recreate them. Remember, there is no “right” way for art to look. Let them explore the possibilities. Here are a few ideas for art mediums:
- Seeds, lentils, or beans with glue.
- Chalk or pastels.
- Peel the paper off, and use the sides of old broken crayons.
- Fallen leaves and glue could make a fun bright colored pumpkin.
- Pieces of tissue paper.
Fun Friends
The school year is well underway, and at UDA Creative Arts Preschool we are having so much fun as we use our theme weeks to teach the whole child. The children are not only learning, but building character and friendships. We invite you to come visit us! You can take a tour by calling, (801) 523-5930.