Community Helpers

We are learning about Community Helpers for the next couple of weeks. We were lucky enough to see the garbage and recycling trucks yesterday. So much fun to watch that great big "arm" come out and grab the cans and toss everything into the truck.

We also talked about being a Builder/Construction Worker... Sprout here went straight to the block area and began "buildin a house in a house." She spent a lot of time on it and then her and her friends spent some time bulldozing it down.

Even Little Man got into the building part...

I had set out the Community Helper people on the table today. Ok, so most Community Helpers don't live in a castle, but that was all I had on hand :)

During Circle Time we also got to read some books about Mail Carriers, Firetrucks, and Police Cars. Although we talked about what Community Helpers do and what they mean to us, the kids don't always understand everything we are talking about, so a trip to the Post Office at the end of the week will help them to put a concrete image in their minds and connect some of the things we are talking about to their everyday life.

First Field Trip of the Year!!!

I was a little apprehensive to go on a field trip so early in the year, but I really want to get out and do more with the kids this year. Being in the same environment day in and day out can get on anyones nerves, but when you have 5 children under 3, well.... enough said, right :) I am hoping to get out at least once a month. We have lots on our list to do.

Well, they did GREAT!!! Getting out the door took longer than expected, but anyone who knows me, knows I always take longer than expected, so no surprise there. Our car ride was fun, lots of singing 10 Little Fishy's, and If Your Happy and You Know It... riding in someone else's car is always an adventure for little ones.

We didn't make plans with the pet store we went to, but we didn't really think it would matter since we were there to purchase a fish for child care. Everyone was very excited!!

Anxious to go inside!!

The reptiles were the first thing we saw, and the Bearded Dragon didn't disappoint... he came right up to the window and eyed the kids. I actually thought about taking him home. But, I just couldn't see myself looking for a Bearded Dragon Lizard that got loose in my house :)

The reptiles were very interesting and we spent a lot of time watching them.

The Birds were a lot of fun. They moved constantly and made lots of noise. My little Scamp here actually is smiling behind that pacy. She thought the birds were very cool.

Lil Bit couldn't stop hopping up and down in her seat... she thought everything was very exciting and talked a lot to each and everything she saw.

Although the kids loved everything, I think the cats and kittens were everyones favorite. How can you not love seeing these balls of fun swat at the toys and the glass. There was a lot of giggling and laughter.

We finally got down to the very real business of making a very important purchase. First, will it be a goldfish or a beta fish... we choose the beta fish. Then which one, a male or female, blue or red?? We choose a male, who was blue and red :) It was a hard decision. But I think we made the right choice.

We made our way to the checkout (we were told by this time that there was no taking photos of the animals in the store... I was a little taken by surprise, but not wanting to make a scene, I complied with the young women's instructions :) ) We choose a nice little tank to house our fish and homeward we went.

At home we rinsed everything, added the water and are now waiting to set our new friend free in his new home. We think he is really going to like it here.

Now if we could only agree upon a name we would be all set. We will save that for next week :)

Eating Chocolate Pudding...

He knew exactly what he was doing :)

Wordless Wednesday...

It's Friday!!!

Little Man was Big Man this week. He walked to the park with his friends instead of riding in the stroller. He did such a good job. He wanted to keep up with his friends, and only needed a few reminders to stay on task. He did wander onto some lawns looking at leaves, stopped in his tracks when the wind began blowing in his face, and would sometimes turn around (with a laugh, of course) and try to walk the opposite way... but all in all, for his first time walking on the sidewalk with his friends, I'd say my Little Man is growing up!!!

Although we have been able to have our Circle Time, it has been more about movement, learning and fun then anything else. We haven't been able to really get into our Arts and Crafts projects and I'm not really able to leave out our Free Process Art materials yet because the little ones are very interested in learning about their environment through ALL 5 senses :) So, we are working on it and allowing Sprout and Roo special big kid time with some of those materials.

So how do we stay busy?? What did we do all week?? We spent a lot of time exploring our neighborhood. We ended each neighborhood exploration with a visit to the playground where we worked on our listening skills, patience, socialization, gross motor skills, and language skills. I don't even think the kids knew they were learning :)

Peek-a-Boo!!



I can do this!!

I'm almost there!!!

I see you!!

Water Break

Working those legs and interacting with friends.

Climbing High

Taking a Break

They love peeking out of these little holes on the sides of the tunnels

I am finally seeing a routine coming through our day. The kids are becoming more familiar with me and each other. They are finding their voices and their personalities are really shining through. I am looking forward to watching them grow and succeed in my care.

Busy Days

I think I was spoiled these past few years with having mostly older preschoolers at child care. I always had my camera near by and could snap lots and lots of photos of our daily happenings. I could then be assured that the majority of the children would have a nice solid nap, where I could then download the photos and write my post so parents could take a peak at lunch time and find out what their children did all day. Well, let me tell you... having so many little ones keeps my hands very busy, and its not with a camera :)





These are some of the shots I did manage to get today...

It was a wet day out so after a nice walk around the block I took out some inside gross motor activities... as you can see, this was a hit.

Lil Bit here is moving around so much and loves the housekeeping area

Climbing up the little slide has become a new favorite for this Scamp!! She took 4 steps for Mom and Dad this weekend, and 2 for me today!! Yeah!!!

I created a Ball Box for the kids this weekend, finding all sorts of different balls. Textured, big, little, smooth, and foam. They all loved it, but I think they especially liked watching me run around rounding them up over and over again after they dumped them!! :)



I love this photo... the garbage truck came by today and everyone stopped what they were doing and had to take a peek!!

My favorite part of the day though was our Circle Time. We got to read a book, sing a silly song, we took the "Where is Thumbkin" song and added the names of the kids, then Mother, Father, Sister and Brother... lots of fun!! We then got to do the Weather and the Days of the Week. The kids did great!!!

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!!!