Love was truly in the air this week as we joyfully celebrated one of our favorite letter V words… Valentine’s Day! The atmosphere was filled with excitement and creativity as we organized a Valentine’s Day themed sensory experience. This sensory activity featured a delightful assortment of materials, including soft rice, vibrant red gems, cheerful pink gems, and sparkling clear gems, which provided the perfect opportunity for our little ones to scoop, pour, and sort to their hearts' content. In addition to this, we set up another engaging sensory bin that was filled with fluffy pink instant snow, along with a variety of charming Valentine’s Day items waiting to be discovered and explored. Children eagerly dove into these sensory experiences, using their hands to manipulate the textures and colors, which not only sparked their curiosity but also enhanced their fine motor skills. Friends kneaded dough, rolled it out, and used cookie cutters to create delightful Valentine’s Day shapes that they could proudly display or share with their friends. Meanwhile, others visited the sensory table where they encountered large animal figures that represent those cared for by veterinarians. Another invitation to play with large animals and a barn created a wonderful opportunity for both independent and collaborative imaginative play, allowing children to engage in problem-solving as they navigated their play scenarios.
We had ample opportunities for imaginative play this week, where friends could take on the role of a veterinarian, tending to the needs of their beloved pets. The children worked together to create elaborate scenarios, imagining they were driving different types of vehicles, from cars to trucks and beyond. Whether navigating the roads or the sky, independently or as part of a group, they practiced teamwork and took turns, learning the importance of safety as they reached their desired destinations. In another area, friends gathered around the dollhouse, role-playing various scenarios, including what they would do if they had guests coming to visit. This imaginative play was complemented by other friends who engaged in exciting adventures with superheroes and villains, creating dynamicnarratives filled with action and creativity.
This week, we also reintroduced the well-loved Home Center, which provided a familiar space for exploration and role-playing. However, the most active and vibrant invitation this week was undoubtedly the Valentine Creation Station. Friends were busily exploring a multitude of materials and tools to create their own unique Valentine’s Day crafts, expressing their creativity and love for one another. They engaged in this creative process right up until the very last minute of the Smart Start week, ensuring that they had something special to share with their friends, teachers, and family members. The thoughtful, considerate, and kind gestures they displayed through their creations were truly heartwarming and fostered a sense of community and connection among the children.
In our Visual Arts activities this week, we experimented with a variety of painting techniques. We painted intricate patterns using watercolors, applied gold acrylic paint on cupcake liners, and explored the versatility of tempura paint on mixed media paper. These artistic creations will play a vital role in our mixed media art project inspired by the renowned artist Vincent van Gogh’s Sunflowers. Once all the backgrounds are completed, we will assemble our pieces of artwork that will be proudly featured in our end-of-the-year Gallery.
In the realm of Science this week, we delved into the fascinating topics of vibration and sound. The children had the chance to use simple materials, such as a paper cup, straw, and pipe cleaner, to visualize sound by observing the vibrations created. This hands-on activity proved to be harder for some students than others. Another exciting topic we explored was the phenomenon of volcanic eruptions. We reviewed the reactions we had previously experimented with, using baking soda and vinegar to create fizzy reactions. After our engaging discussion, our little scientists were thrilled to erupt their very own citrus volcanoes using lemons, vinegar, and baking soda! This activity not only provided a fun and interactive way to learn about chemical reactions but also fostered a sense of wonder and excitement about the natural world. One of the most thrilling activities of the week was the Valentine’s Day Sink or Float experiment. Each scientist made predictions about whether various Valentine’s Day-themed items would sink or float, and then we tested their predictions, providing an excellent opportunity for observation and discussion.
Wiggle Room offered our little ones the chance to learn the Valentine Shuffle, and it was also a fun and energetic opportunity for them to work off some of that extra energy through exercise and games before we enjoyed our special snack. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks for the delicious treats and goodies that you sent in for us to enjoy on Wednesday and Thursday. Everyone relished these delightful snacks! The adorable decorated boxes that came from home showcased incredible creative flair, and we hope they sparked an opportunity for you to engage in something fun and interactive with your child. For those who were unable to send in boxes that were decorated at home, we had plenty of supplies available to create beautiful boxes for receiving cards and treats. The boxes overflowed with love and delicious surprises! Thank you for your thoughtfulness and generosity! I am sure the children will be thrilled to open their boxes over the weekend and share their finds!
Please remember, as we adhere to the Russell Co. Schools Schedule, there will be No Smart Start on Monday, as it will be a Professional Development day for our staff. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to Ms. Leah. We appreciate your support and involvement in making this week so special!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Ms. Leah, Ms. Jacquita, and the Smart Start team
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