2025-26 Smart Start Week 21

This week, our friends explored the exciting world of the letter V through hands-on learning and imaginative play!

Imaginative play was a highlight of the week as friends took on roles caring for babies and running a busy vet clinic. From feeding, tending, and soothing dolls to helping ‘sick’ animals feel better, children practiced empathy, responsibility, and social skills while having fun.

The incredible Vincent Van Gogh inspired our artists. After reading Vincent Eats Sunflowers, we dove into the world of color, texture, and creative expression. Using cardboard stamps, each artist designed their own unique sunflower masterpiece — just like Vincent, each are unique! We also painted beautiful watercolor vases and created delicate fingerprint violets, practicing fine motor skills while expressing individuality.

Creativity flowed into our building area as well. Friends engineered an impressive marble run using Velcro rollers attached to a velvet-covered board. There was problem-solving, predicting, adjusting, and celebrating when the marble successfully made its way from top to bottom! Using a variety of materials, children built creative structures such as cozy homes, sturdy boats, and safe enclosures for animals. These activities encouraged teamwork and fine motor skills as friends experimented with stacking, balancing, and designing.

Movement time was full of imagination and giggles. Inspired by the story, we even played a lively round of “fainting goats!” Games like The Floor is Lava and our obstacle courses helped stimulate the vestibular system, strengthening balance, coordination, and spatial awareness. Outdoor play provided wonderful opportunities to build friendships, cooperate, and stretch imaginations in healthy and meaningful ways.

Learning and play didn’t stop there! During explorations and investigations, we:

·       Enjoyed vanilla milkshakes and sundaes

·       Sculpted and painted

·       Created erupting volcanoes

·       Juiced, tasted, and stamped with vegetables

·       Learned about vibration through hands-on discovery

From art to engineering, movement to science, and caring to creating, it has truly been a very exciting week full of vibrant learning experiences.

We can’t wait to see the adventures that await!

See you soon,

The Smart Start team