{"id":331,"date":"2017-10-31T13:30:01","date_gmt":"2017-10-31T19:30:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/preschool.utahdanceartists.com\/blog\/?p=331"},"modified":"2017-11-01T12:01:34","modified_gmt":"2017-11-01T18:01:34","slug":"whats-happening-uda-creative-arts-preschool-farms-gardens","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/preschool.utahdanceartists.com\/blog\/whats-happening-uda-creative-arts-preschool-farms-gardens\/","title":{"rendered":"What’s Happening at UDA Creative Arts Preschool– Farms and Gardens"},"content":{"rendered":"

The last couple weeks at UDA Creative Arts Preschool <\/a>we’ve been learning all about our F is for Farm theme and G is for Garden theme.\u00a0 In Utah, crisp fall weather brings with it leaves, pumpkins, seeds, and farm animals to explore!\u00a0 We have loved providing so many interactive learning opportunities for our preschoolers.<\/p>\n

Applied Learning<\/strong><\/h2>\n

It is so exciting for us to see our learning in the classroom coming to life for our preschool friends!<\/p>\n

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

In our movement<\/a> class, the children used their large motor skills as the leaves fell from the trees to the ground.\u00a0 We observed the colors and shapes of leaves as they change in the fall.<\/p>\n

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

Then, how exciting it is for us to see the applied mulitsensory learning <\/a>as the children discover gravity at work as the leaves dropped off our very own preschool trees!\u00a0 The falling bright colors came to life on our playground.<\/p>\n

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

Farm Country<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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

Milking our cow “mooved” us to a new understanding of milk production.\u00a0 This activity not only helped us learn where milk comes from, it also strengthened small motor skills and allowed us to practice\u00a0turn-taking, an important life skill.<\/a><\/p>\n

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

We followed up our milking activity using milk to make cream and butter.\u00a0 \u00a0All our children had a turn shaking it up!<\/p>\n

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

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

But it may be unanimous that the best part was tasting it!\u00a0 What a fun way for us to put scientific learning<\/a> into action! We not only learned where the milk comes from, but watched the chemical change from milk to cream to butter.<\/p>\n

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

Also, for our F is for Farm theme, we had some farmyard visitors!<\/p>\n

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

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

Having chickens come visit our preschool inspired our play-based learning,<\/a> solidifying the concepts we discussed as we examined our new clucking friends and other farm animals.<\/p>\n

Growing Gardeners<\/h2>\n

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

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.<\/p>\n

Our little soil lovers also experimented with what happens when you add water to soil.\u00a0 You can ask any preschooler, it doesn’t get much more fun than mud!\u00a0 We also planted seeds and discussed the importance of soil in growing seeds.<\/p>\n

Finding Our Courage<\/h2>\n

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

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

I spy a butterfly has become a favorite pastime at UDA Creative Arts Preschool.<\/a>\u00a0We’ve not only learned about the process of caterpillar turning into a butterfly, we’ve observed butterflies, moved like butterflies,\u00a0 we created artistic butterflies,<\/a> we’ve even sung about butterflies.<\/p>\n

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

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.<\/p>\n

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

One of our butterflies didn’t want to leave Ms. Sherene’s hand.\u00a0 We thought maybe it was nervous!\u00a0 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,\u00a0 “You can do it!”.\u00a0 Then the butterfly found its courage and was on its way!<\/p>\n

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

Courage comes in all forms!\u00a0 Role play can often help children overcome fears they may have as they imagine and act them out in their minds.<\/p>\n

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

And sometimes we need to find our courage to solve problems.\u00a0 Ask your child what they’ve been learning about courage!\u00a0 Help them see how they are using their courage to be a problem solver<\/a> at home.<\/p>\n

Sunflower Art<\/h2>\n

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

While we were discussing F is for Farm, as well as gardens and seeds, we also learned F is for Flower.\u00a0 In art we did a Vincent Van Gogh unit and discussed his sunflower paintings.\u00a0 The children studied sunflowers, their color and textures, and applied their learning and observations to create sunflower paintings.<\/p>\n

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

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

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

TRY THIS AT HOME:\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0As with all our art activities, our focus is more on process over product<\/a>.\u00a0 Allow your child the same opportunity at home to find flowers or garden food and examine their shapes and colors.\u00a0 Then let them use an art medium to recreate them.\u00a0 Remember, there is no “right” way for art to look.\u00a0 Let them explore the possibilities.\u00a0 Here are a few ideas for art mediums:<\/p>\n