{"id":503,"date":"2017-12-27T19:42:04","date_gmt":"2017-12-28T02:42:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/preschool.utahdanceartists.com\/blog\/?p=503"},"modified":"2017-12-27T19:42:04","modified_gmt":"2017-12-28T02:42:04","slug":"escape-of-the-gingerbread-man-power-integrated-learning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/preschool.utahdanceartists.com\/blog\/escape-of-the-gingerbread-man-power-integrated-learning\/","title":{"rendered":"Escape of the Gingerbread Man: The Power of Integrated Learning"},"content":{"rendered":"

The age-old story of the gingerbread man is one that has been shared across generations.\u00a0 But did you know that the gingerbread man teaches so much more than the speed of a cookie?\u00a0 At UDA Creative Arts Preschool<\/a>, we put this animated fairytale to work as a theme for our integrated learning curriculum, and we can’t wait to share the results!<\/p>\n

Integrated learning<\/a> is helping children make connections across the disciplines, or topics, for learning.\u00a0 We cover math, science, culinary arts, engineering, reading, writing, art, music, and even a little drama.\u00a0 Those preschool minds worked overtime finding clues to locate that notorious disappearing gingerbread man! (Sorry kiddo, I don’t think that bobby pin is a cookie clue.)<\/p>\n

\"Integrated<\/a><\/p>\n

Why is integrated learning important? Integrated learning allows children to learn in a holistic way, without creating boundaries between topics<\/a>.\u00a0 This helps them see how all learning is interconnected and provides them with tools to explore and discover.\u00a0 \u00a0We’d love to share some of the ways we do this and offer you some ideas for using integrated learning in your home as well!<\/p>\n

The Power of Integrated Learning<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Integrated Learning is Fun!<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Integrated<\/a><\/p>\n

Call it frosting, call it art, or maybe even call it science and engineering.\u00a0 Decorating a gingerbread house is more than gluing candy.\u00a0 Children are learning about weight, gravity, and even balance.<\/p>\n

\"Integrated<\/a><\/p>\n

And nothing can compare to the feeling of satisfaction that comes from mastering…that big peppermint on the ridge of the roof!\u00a0 Putting science into action can be fun and tasty!<\/p>\n

Teaches Children to Transfer Knowledge to Other Settings<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Integrated<\/a><\/p>\n

For our “Nn” week, we learned about numbers.\u00a0 We can learn math and numbers as we count and manipulate them in a puzzle.<\/p>\n

\"Integrated<\/a><\/p>\n

Those numbers become more concrete as we attach them to objects that we can count.<\/p>\n

\"Integrated<\/a><\/p>\n

Writing our numbers allows us to kinesthetically learn them.<\/p>\n

\"Integrated<\/a><\/p>\n

And then, we can transfer that knowledge to our gingerbread man as we count how many raisins we use to create him.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, that’s where our trouble begins!\u00a0 After we worked so hard to make our gingerbread man, Miss Vicky put him in the oven for us.\u00a0 Why, oh why, didn’t someone watch him?<\/p>\n

\"Integrated<\/a><\/p>\n

How could that infamous gingerbread man have escaped at our own preschool?\u00a0 (Poor Miss Vicky may have lost some credibility with the preschoolers.\u00a0 We all know he wants to escape!\u00a0 How could she not have kept a closer eye on him? )<\/p>\n

\"Integrated<\/a><\/p>\n

Fortunately, that tricky gingerbread man left us a paper trail of clues.\u00a0 Time for some numerical application!\u00a0 The children were able to transfer their knowledge of math as they sequenced the numbered clues to find…<\/p>\n

\"Integrated<\/a><\/p>\n

…the little gingerbread men left behind.\u00a0 Our big gingerbread man may have escaped, but at least he left some of his friends for us to consume.\u00a0 Phew, Miss Vicky’s reputation is saved!<\/p>\n

More Connections = Higher Level Learning<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Integrated<\/a><\/p>\n

Making gingerbread houses, cookies, and paint projects are fun, but they are also creating connections.\u00a0 So many of our connections stem from language and literature!<\/p>\n

\"Integrated<\/a><\/p>\n

We were able to read several versions of the gingerbread man story.\u00a0 Each time the children heard it, they were able to repeat the lines spoken by the gingerbread man.<\/p>\n

Run, run, as fast as you can.\u00a0 You can’t catch me!\u00a0 I’m the gingerbread man.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Repetition improves brain development, increases vocabulary, and reinforces memory and sequencing skills.<\/a>\u00a0Reading the same story to your preschooler over, and over, and over again may get old, but you are actually enhancing your child’s language development.<\/p>\n

As we examine different versions of the gingerbread man story, the children are also able to make predictions, compare and contrast endings, and discuss emotions involved with the various conclusions of each story.\u00a0 This enables them to create connections to their personal experiences.<\/p>\n

Creating Positive Attitudes for Learning<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"integrated<\/a><\/p>\n

When integrated learning is practiced, children enjoy the learning process and positive attitudes are developed.<\/p>\n

\"integrated<\/a><\/p>\n

Throughout our gingerbread unit, children applied their creativity in the discovery room and through their art projects, while making connections to the stories we read.\u00a0 (You can connect at home with this pumpkin spice play dough recipe<\/a>.)<\/p>\n

\"integrated<\/a><\/p>\n

When learning, be it math, science, or language, is fun, children can’t help but want to be a part of it.\u00a0 It is stimulating and interesting.\u00a0 Their brains are developing the way they were meant to.\u00a0 \u00a0Children develop a positive attitude that shapes their learning for the rest of their lives.<\/p>\n

Integrated Learning At Home<\/strong><\/h2>\n

If you’d like to implement integrated learning with your preschooler.\u00a0 Here are a few suggestions to get you starated:<\/p>\n