Macaroni, No Cheese

Figurative collage by Mollie

TODAY'S ACTIVITY
The cliched activities involving macaroni take on an entirely new life as children develop more intentional outcomes. The sorting of colors, tighter arrangement and specific figurative use are all part of developmental steps we observe in their work. Two weeks ago, these figures did not have fingers or toes. Every week reveals new discoveries and self awareness.

WATER PLAY
The value of sensory play is so valuable - why else would they be drawn to it so fully? That is one stimulus their developing brains crave. Add color, items of various density and vessels of various measurable quantities and you have a mathematical experiment that couples the cognitive with the sensory. The heightened awareness of the sensory stimulation activates more areas of the brain to further focus what is being learned. Adults might equate how clear memories are when your senses are heightened by smells, tastes, physical activity or excitement. Enjoy!

TODAY'S STORY
Bigger Than Daddy, by Harriet Zieffert and Elliot Kreloff. Young Edward accompanies his dad to the park, and then they walk home together, play, and have dinner before Edward has a bath and is tucked into bed. Along the way, Edward constantly demands the chance to engage in grown-up activities, ranging from the doable (pressing the elevator button) to the less doable (outrunning a big red fire truck). The simple, appealing language shows the humor, energy, and bossiness of the young child, while the father’s love for his son also shines through.

As we wind into summer, we are repeating favorite stories from earlier in the year, instilling a level of confidence and competence in reading, even in the schematic stage of comprehending ideas and identifying themes.