Colors play an important role in our everyday lives. Color is found everywhere. Throughout the day colors become part of our conversations as children ask for a particular marker, choose which color paper they would like to use or announce what color their shirt is that day. We have been capitalizing on this interest through the use of paint, collage materials and writing utensils. With the use of books such as Mouse Paint, Color Farm and Who Said Red? the children have been exploring colors, naming colors and matching colors.

The toddler classroom is constantly talking about our feelings and naming our emotions.We believe that it is very important for children to be able to express a wide range of emotions and to begin to recognize those feelings. We are very fortunate to have a number of mirrors in the classroom so the children are able to view themselves while exhibiting a variety of emotions. Sarah, one of our interns, is working together with Sandy on exploring and naming our emotions and appropriate ways to display our emotions. For example it is okay to be angry but it is not okay to hit. With the use of songs, books and photos we will continue to explore feelings and emotions.

Clay has been introduced to the children this past month. We offered the clay in one large block on the table. Some children explored it with their fingers, poking and pinching the clay, other children took off pieces to make bunnies and lambs. Children were then given tongue depressors. They chose to stick the tongue depressors into the block of clay and use them as cutting tools to cut off pieces of clay. We will see what direction the children take us next.

Our curriculum focus has us continuing our ice investigation. The children have been noticing the ice hanging from the building and along the fence. We have put empty containers outside during the rain to collect the water. When we checked back the containers had ice in them. We explored the ice and talked about where the ice has come from and what happens when ice melts. The children have talked about the ice coming from the water and the snow. They have also noticed that when the ice sits in the sensory table water appears in the sensory table. Our next step is to fill water bottles with water and place them outside to freeze. We will watch the ice melt, talk about the ice and water, and take pictures of the bottles throughout our day.