Making Predictions

AV and CM worked together placing blocks on top of the transparent container and then taking them off, repeating this routine over and over with changes in the block structure. This was a new way of using this container and was of interest to us because the girls worked side by side to try to get the blocks balanced and in place. This took some effort as the container is rounded on the side and the blocks would slip off. They communicated back and forth through the use of hand motions and facial expressions. Chloe continued to work with it AV lost interest and left the area. Notice FF's fashion influence!

These Boots Are Made for Lining Up

The act of lining things up seems to be transferring to other areas. Here, AN has lined up the boots in descending order from largest to smallest. We have seen an increase in the children creating lines (legos) and placing objects in order (boots, blocks). You can support this at home by providing similar objects of graduated size placing them where they can be easily accessed.

AB Rolls Over!

We had been told that AB rolls over, but he choose not to do it in front of us! : ) We finally got to see him in action AV decided to join in. Again, each child connects to AB in his or her own way.

A Different Perspective

We wanted to title this "Caged" but thought that might not sound so great on a daycare blog :) The small foyer that leads into the bathroom is always a great source of interest and play for the children. The majority of the time we don't let them close the door because we're afaid of smashed fingers, but on this day we sat right by the door and allowed them to close it, trapping themselves in the small space. JM was immediately energized and began to scream with delight and turn around, inspiring the other children to join in. The younger ones started to get uncomfortable so Mel moved them out of the room and pushed closer to the door so they could see her. This was a source of new excitment to the older children and they ran to the window and pressed their faces against the glass, looking at CM and Mel. This allowed the younger ones to feel safe and still share in the play.

We guessed that the children felt some sort of power over the sensation of being trapped. There was just enough security (windows and Mel) that they could enjoy their new sense of power and control over the closed-in space. It is important to provide opportunities for children to have the opportunity to experience facing things that are scary or uncomfortable with a supportive adult nearby.

Fashion Forward FF

For a period of several months, FF would pull her arm through the neckhole of her shirt, exposing her shoulder. One day when she had done this, we noticed CM imitating her and pulling her arm out of her shirt too, so Mel joined in the fun. The children thought this was funny and it was a great opportunity for shared laughter and understanding. This type of interaction also gives the adults a chance to use higher language with the children as they work hard to connect what is said to the exchange.

Toddler "Sharing"

Engaging in one of her favorite activites, CM filled her basket with three small items and began transferring them back and forth between the basket and a metal pot. This attracted the attention of AV who moved closer so she could join in. Children at this age sometime prefer solitary activities and friends are not always welcome but on this particular day C was open to sharing her items. A first communicated with C via jabber and eye contact, and then reached down into one of the containers and assisted with the transfer. C joined her and they took turns for several minutes before moving on to something else.

Egg Hunt

The children really enjoyed the egg hunt! We hid plastic eggs (some with candy inside) before the children went outside on this day. We had to model how to search for the smaller children but they quickly caught on and hunted with enthusiasm. F found the ones hidden in the tree and spent lots of time putting them back in the crook between the branches while JL was more interested in filling his bucket to the top. CM was the first to shake the eggs and notice that something was inside. Once the children realized that it was candy, JM dropped his bucket and took off - he was on a mission! He ran to each egg and shook it and if it was empty he threw it down and moved on.

AN and AB Connect

In this series of photos AN, who is fascinated with babies and often asks his mother for a baby brother or sister, connects with AB in a variety of ways. He lies very close to AB and it appears that he has positioned himself there in order to encourage AB to reach out to him. AN hands the sponge to AB and holds it just at the right distance for his short reach, then pretends to stoke AB softly with it. We found it interesting that AN seems to intuit how to best interact with AB (AN doesn't ever act aggressively or move too quickly and he uses a gentle touch).