Splat Painting & A Little Bit of Water

On days like today it is hard not to take a million photos and then not put most of them up on a new post... but I had to.  There was so much going on today, nothing actually structured or theme oriented, but plain old, straight forward fun and play!!!  When I was young I remember the hours we would spend with the hose, food coloring, and any container we could get our hands on.  We would create elaborate fantasy lives, making trees into houses, toys into people, food coloring and water concoctions and pine cones into microphones.  I try to set up our outdoor space so the kids can explore and create whatever fantasy worlds they would like and they usually do.  Today, though, they just seemed more content than usual.  Taking time to really immerse themselves in the materials that were out...

Come Take A Look...

Scamp would bring her hand back to throw the pom-pom, then get the paint all over her neck

I found the idea for Splat Painting from the blog Make+Believe.  It is such a simple idea and the kids were able to manipulate the paint in so many ways.  The pom-poms were an exciting new way to get the paint on the paper and what toddler/preschooler doesn't want permission to actually THROW paint ;)  It was a huge success and we all had a wonderfully, busy and messy morning!!!

An Outdoor Classroom, Sort Of

The Outdoor Classroom... what that means to me is a wonderfully natural place for children to learn and grow in.  If you'd like to see my favorites take a look here, here, or here.  These are just a few of the many, many blogs I have seen and read with beautiful outdoor spaces, if you just browse through them, you'll see what I mean.  Their spaces are truly beautiful and welcoming.  

So, I have spent a long time trying to emulate some of these outdoor spaces.  Sometimes it's me that puts up my own obstacle, and sometimes it is licensing issues (which I won't go into) that keep me from creating the outdoor space I see in my dreams.  That being said, I did set up a little area on the patio this week with a table and chairs, chalkboard, and easel.  I also brought out a couple boxes of blocks to play with, and set some PVC pipe pieces in the sandbox to see what the kids would do with them.  I think it was a success...

I don't know if you can tell, there is a race care that he put through the pipe, it is coming out the bottom of the pipe.

Sometimes it's fun to just climb and lie down.
Little Man kept looking over the edge and shaking his head back and forth.

Exploring under the play structure was fun too

Although I haven't been able to create the yard of my dreams, it definitely is fun and there is always an adventure to be had.  I'll just keep working my way to where I want to be and some day I'm sure I'll get there ;)

It's Friday!!!

Our first week back and oh what a week its been :) We have had such a wonderful time playing, getting wet, singing, dancing, painting, and just having fun that I can't believe the week went by so quickly!! With the weather so beautiful today we put those bathing suites back on today and went out to the yard to have some more fun!!

I took a little time this morning to set up the Princess Tent with a little floor (sheet), chairs and books in the shaded area of the yard, it was a nice relaxing place for the kids to go for a little quiet time. I also set up the outdoor easel, and the sprinkler again for the kids to enjoy.

These girls seem to be having fun!!

I have found that the kids really enjoy painting outside, especially on the plexi-glass easel. It is easy to rinse off, start over and basically make a "process" type of art, rather than a "product" type of art. All the kids took a turn and created something, even if it was just the joy of blending colors, using the squirt bottle or squeegee to play with, they all seem to enjoy their time there.

What was left at the end of the morning :)

It has been an awesome week and I look forward to the new school year. I have lots of great ideas from the NAFCC conference to implement, lots of places I would like to take field trips to, and lots of love to give... I am truly Blessed to be able to do this job.

Water Soothes the...

I love water. I love the effect it has on me, on my children, and on my Child Care children. It is so many things for so many people. I know that my favorite, least stressful place in the world is the Adirondack Mountains in Upstate NY with the many lakes you can enjoy. We go there only 2 weeks a year now, but it is the most peaceful 2 weeks in my life. The smell of the pines, the sound of the water lapping on the beach, and the outdoor activity keeps me center and is something I take with me and think of often throughout the busy year.

So, we don't have a lake or ocean in my backyard, but I do have a nifty new sensory table. Yesterday was birdseed, today it was water. Watching the kids play (all 5 kids can fit around this one, I am so happy) brought peace into our morning. Water is an integral part of my curriculum. We use it daily, on our work trays, science experiments, art work, you name it we will find some way to intertwine water into it :) The sound of the water being poured, splashed, and moved around was the most peaceful sound to my ears. I closed my eyes and I was back at the beach watching my own children and nieces play in the lake. There was no fighting, no yelling, just the kids experimenting, investigating and enjoying a beautiful Spring morning.

(look at that trunk extension)

Tomorrow is Umbrella Day... no rain is in the forecast though. So, water from the sprinkler will be on tap for some more water play tomorrow. I am sure we will work a little mud into that play also, so I hope the kids come dressed for mess!!

Another Busy Day

Wow... the mornings have just been flying by. First it was Teddy Bears keeping us busy, and today we did a little Tye Dye, along with working with some great NEW outdoor things!! Yea, I love NEW things.

First we squirted our shirts to make them damp... the dye soaks in better that way!!

(Looking on, seeing how it's done)

Letting our creative juices flow!!

( We took this part outside)

Some worked like a pro!!

Lots of fine muscle work and concentration going on here!!

Here they are, they will sit in these bags until tomorrow, when I will rinse them and then wash and dry them. I have used this brand of Tye Dye Kit before and the colors usually come out pretty vibrant, so I hope it lives up to our expectations!!

I got this new Outdoor Sensory Table from Discount School Supply. I am so excited by it!! I am a little disappointed that they only come in 2 sizes, 18" and 24", I wish they had a size right in the middle. The 18", which I bought, is great for the toddlers (1 - 3yrs) but once they have that preschool growth spurt, they get kinda tall for it. Not that it stopped the preschoolers from playing in it... sorry, I digress!!

I put the left over birdseed in it this morning... they had a ball!!

So did the birds!!

Sprout was the first to start transferring the seed to the little side caddies. She stayed at it long after the others wandered away.

It was a perfect size for little man. He actually enjoyed the texture of the birdseed. He would grab it and let it slide through his fingers. Ok, yes, he threw it, tried to eat it, and dropped it on the floor as well, but hey, just think of all the learning going on in that brain of his!! At this rate he'll be brilliant!!!

And here is another new piece of outdoor equipment, a junior basketball goal, from Discount School Supply (I love that place!!)

Princess couldn't wait to help put it together!! It was very easy, she did the whole thing by herself. The only drawback is that the pieces slide out when you pick it up. So, I guess we won't be picking it up much. :)

I am enjoying getting our outdoor classroom updated. The kids love to investigate and explore the wooded area, they have climbing structures, ride on toys, and play kitchens... but now it just adds another dimension to our outdoor play. We have more options, more chances to make connections with each other and with the world we live in. I am excited to be able to offer that to the kids and families in my care!!!