2025-26 Smart Start Week 4

This week our classroom buzzed with hands-on discoveries as we explored the letter H together! Through our arts-immersive approach, friends engaged in experiences that highlighted their natural curiosity and creativity. From sensory explorations to collaborative projects, every invitation offered new opportunities to practice language, problem solving, and self-expression—all while strengthening their understanding of “H” in meaningful ways.

During our daily explorations, the children dove deeper into the letter H through rich, hands-on experiences. We read stories together and shared thoughtful questions and ideas it inspired, and played letter review games to strengthen letter recognition. Using mixed media, friends created beautiful handprint horses, and they became little scientists while learning how heat changes things—making pancakes together was such a hit that many asked for seconds throughout the day! We explored different habitats, compared the taste of local versus store-bought honey, and had plenty of movement fun with hopscotch, hula hoops, and a lively game of Hip Hop Freeze Tag.

We also welcomed the new season by saying a happy hello to fall. Using huge leaves from a beautiful Chinese Empress tree, the children explored texture, shape, and color while creating stunning leaf prints. This simple yet magical process invited them to notice nature’s details and express the changing season through their own artistic interpretations.

This week we also explored the idea of using our hands as tools to create, build, and imagine. The children acted out stories with superheroes and played in the dollhouse to explore the concept of home. In their journals, they used the letter H to design and draw their own houses, and enjoyed the classic fun of Mr. Potato Head for some silly fine-motor practice. We sharpened scissor skills by giving “paper haircuts,” practiced writing our names, and built imaginative designs with Tinker Toys. Little hands got even stronger as the children hammered golf tees into cardboard, threaded beads on pipe cleaners, and constructed with Legos, all building coordination, focus, and creativity.

Our Imagination Station was transformed into a bustling hair salon, and it quickly became one of the most popular spots in the room! The two salon chairs stayed busy all week as little stylists worked their magic. Styling was in full swing—some “clients” opted for a fresh look with their natural hair, while others had fun trying on a new colorful wig for a bold change. This dramatic play encouraged communication, cooperation, and creativity while letting the children experiment with roles and self-expression.

What a joyful and creative week it’s been exploring the letter H together! From hands-on art and sensory experiences to lively movement games and imaginative play, the children embraced each opportunity to learn, collaborate, and express themselves. We’re so proud of their curiosity and creativity, and we can’t wait to see where our next adventures will take us!

See you soon,

The Smart Start team