2025-26 Smart Start Week 2

This week our classroom was filled with fantastic fun as we explored the Letter F! Through hands-on art experiences, movement, and music, friends discovered how creativity and curiosity come together to make learning unforgettable.

Our Letter F explorations extended beyond the art table into large-scale building and imaginative play. Friends experimented with foam blocks, pool noodles, and connectors to design and construct everything from forts to bridges, strengthening problem-solving, balance, and teamwork. They practiced arranging colorful flowers into their own mini “floral designs,” exploring patterns, textures, and fine motor skills. Throughout these activities, they were also building something even more important — friendships — as they shared ideas, collaborated, and helped one another. Our Imagination Station area offered an opportunity for dramatic play as they pretended to be in a bustling Farmers Market, where they weighed pretend produce, bagged goods, and role-played as farmers, customers, and shopkeepers, bringing language, math, and imagination together in one joyful experience.

Another exciting part of our Letter F week was making connections with community helpers. We welcomed first responders — firefighters and police officers — giving children a chance to meet real-life heroes who keep our community safe. Our friends were able to ask questions, explore some of the tools they use, and see how kindness, responsibility, and teamwork are important parts of their jobs. These special visits helped the children build respect and appreciation for the people who serve our neighborhoods every day. It also helps them become familiar with our first responders in a setting that is comfortable.

Our Letter F learning also gave the children plenty of opportunities to strengthen their fine motor skills. They carefully created delicate watercolor farm animals and flowers, practicing control and creativity at the same time. In our sensory bins, they scooped and poured while exploring textures with tiny frogs and flowers, sparking imaginative stories and classification skills. We even added movement to our day with a lively games to practice following directions such as “Follow the Leader,” which encouraged listening, coordination, and cooperation. Together these experiences helped our friends connect art, play, and physical development in meaningful ways.

Our week of exploring the Letter F was truly full of fun, friendship, and fresh discoveries. From building and creating to meeting community helpers and diving into sensory play, the children connected language, art, movement, and imagination in ways that deepened their learning and joy. We are so proud of how they explored new ideas, tried new skills, and supported one another — a fabulous foundation for all the learning still to come!

See you soon,

The Smart Start team