Painting with Wheels

The other day, teacher Brianna covered the art table with paper, added paint and some rolling trucks.  It was set up for art and play at the same time.  Then, teacher Mackenzie drew some roads, and parking areas for the trucks to drive on. It was then up to the children to add in the rest.  It was the first activity that Jasper and Ramsey went to.  These boys are usually drawn to the toy activities first but not today.  It really drew them in and they began to paint by wheeling around the paper.  It was very exciting to see their curiosity as they noticed the tracks that they were creating.  The art table quickly became full as Sofie, Joanne and Carter joined in.

 

We took the chairs out from the table so the children could move around freely with their cars and use up all the spaces on the paper.  They liked to go back and forth and create heavy lines and then they liked to use another colour right over top. The blue and orange paint was the most popular as it covered most of the paper. The children definitely got a good arm work out as they went around the table rolling their trucks and taking small pit stops to load up on more paint.

This art activity created a great chance for the children to use their gross motor skills and sensory skills.  It also provided a way to discover mixing colours all by pushing wheels across the table.  The children also created the art piece together as a group and that involved sharing space, tools, and taking turns. This type of interaction provides them with social skills.

 

This activity was very engaging and it helps children develop their creative thinking all by using a toy that they are familiar with but for a different purpose. It helps children to learn with an open mind.

Until next time,

Deanna

Water and Gourds

Hello families,

Can you believe that we are nearly at the beginning of November?!  We have already been together for 2 months.  The children have been exploring many activities this month as you can see by our board out front.

Recently, we coloured some water and added some natural objects, like gourds and chestnuts, then added some ladles and bowls.  Who would think such a simple activity would keep our children stimulated for so long.  The children all took turns at the sensory table to stir, pour, feel and splash the water around.  Some children would pour water into bowls, some would collect items in the water and some were content with just having their hands in there.  Children at this age are very sensory driven especially to touch which is why we try to provide activities that will involve using their hands to explore.

 

Why is this sort of play important?  It aids in developing fine and gross motor skills that deals with exercising our small and large muscle groups.  These muscle groups are important to build because it helps in coordination and the ability to perform more intricate skills like picking up small objects, writing, buttoning and zipping.  Through this process it will then provide a foundation to more complex tasks.  It also, provides the children to learn about using all their senses through examining, looking, touching and building new ways of discovering the world around them.

 

A simple activity that looks inviting, colourful and fun for the children have so many benefits even though it looks like simple play, they are actually developing cognitive growth, language development, social behaviour and much, much more.

Until next time, Deanna