Bubbles, Bubbles Everywhere

Although we did a lot of fun things this week, I think a favorite was the Bubbles!!!

Not only are Bubbles fun, they are great learning tools too. Babies follow bubbles with just their eyes in the beginning, eventually reaching and popping them. Practicing eye-hand coordination is so beneficial for infants, any time they get to do it is not only fun, but developmentally appropriate.

Laughing and giggling is also a huge benefit from Bubbles. These kids were at the end of an outdoor playtime, hot, tired, getting hungry... we found the bubbles and that's all she wrote. No more whining was to be had. If you were to walk near my yard that morning all you would have heard was laughing, giggling and lots of language!!

The toddlers were jumping up to catch the bubbles, they were tracking them across the yard, waiting to pop them until they got close to their destination and blowing at them to see if they could move them through the air. What fun!!!

Our theme this week was "All About Me" and we learned a lot about body parts, comparing how we are the same and how we are different and singing lots of songs about our names... the kids enjoyed each and every thing we did. Yet, sometimes the impromptu activities have the most benefits. Blowing, catching and playing with our bubbles proved to bring the kids together, working at the same goal and enjoying each others company. The big girls helped the little ones grab at the bubbles, the babies/toddlers laughed and giggled so the big kids not only felt big, but had the opportunity to "teach" the little ones something. The start of how we work at Kozy Kids, each child learning from the other, not just me. I am just the facilitator, guiding them, providing a flexible environment, and lots of hugs and love!!!

Kindergarten & Bubbles!!!

Today was a big day for 2 of our preschoolers!! Today was Kindergarten Screening Day!!! The kids had such a great time (while I sat in a Parent Meeting). At lunch today the two boys went over what they did, how they did it, and why they thought they were made to do it. The one thing that stuck me (in a really happy way) was that they both KNEW they did a great job!! There was no doubt in their mind, voices or body language that they didn't do a great job. Not that they thought they were being "tested," everything was done in a playful way or in game format. I knew they would do great, but it was great that they came out of there with a feeling of success! That even if they didn't know something, the tester made sure that they still felt success and not failure!!! If we HAVE to have these silly things, I am glad the kids left feeling good about themselves!!!

When we got home, we had some pretty hungry kids, so snack was underway immediately!!! Then outside to run off some of that penned up energy!! We ran and played tag for a little while, then the kids began to go in separate directions. Some to the sandbox, some to the swings....
Then I got out the BUBBLES!!! We LOVE bubbles!!!!

Look at the way this little one puckers up those lips!!! She's got the the technique down pat!!!

Sharing... not always an easy task!!!

Waving bubble wands takes skill!! I don't know if you can tell, Ms Princess is down in the lower left corner, ducking to get out of the way!!!

Oh No... "Out, Shell??"

I have a tiny bubble container I got somewhere, just the right size for little hands (and we don't lose to much when they spill).

No big deal... there's more in there!!!

We moved the rest of the sand near our stumps, yesterday. The kids had the dinosaurs out and were playing the "Land of the Lost" (for those of you who don't know this show... it is a VERY old show about Time Travel. My husband got the DVD, of long lost episodes, out of the library to watch with the big boys, but Ry loved it too, so we let him watch. No problem... a very family friendly show. So, even though the others didn't know what it was about, Ry let them in on it and tried to tell them in his little 5 yr old way)

A new trend... off with the shoes!!! Now the problem is remembering to bring them back inside.

Love the purple toes!!! The feel of bare feet in the sand... Priceless!!!

Friends!!!

This weekend I will go and purchase the flowers and veggies that the kids decided on for our garden. The want to try squash, tomatoes (I think we will try one of those upside down thingies) marigolds, and something purple (Ms Princess's vote!!). Next week will bring us to our "Green House" Activity (Another Shout Out to Ms Dana for that one), planting, and Hairy Potato Heads!!! I think it will be another fun week!!!

Yes, Bubbles Anyone??

It seems like bubbles are the music that calms the beast... Did you ever give water, soap and something to make bubbles with to a little kid... it is magic!! I have been reading some of my favorite blogs and it seems they all have something about bubbles, I took their advice and put out a tray with a bowl, water cup, soap & a hand mixer!! It seems to be pretty popular, especially when a child needs a little a time alone or apart from the other kids. It seems to calm them... they kind of zone out while they twirl that hand mixer, watching the bubbles they create. I love watching them do this work. I can always sense when a child needs the calming effects of a water activity and help steer them to that work, and after they are finished they have a renewed sense of themselves. I love water and bubbles!!! Thanks to all the blogs out there who helped steer me to this activity!!