West Richmond Preschool

Photos of wildlife in Canada were placed on the Drawing Table, along with paper and pencil crayons.   Children were free to draw without direction. Most of the children chose to replicate the animals on the table. We spoke about these animals during the process, and at Circle Time. Some of the questions and statements from the children:   “How do they survive?” “Do they get cold and lonely?” “I wonder if the fox would like to live with my family and my dog?” “The raccoon looks scared that he's going to fall.” “The bear's not sleeping. I can see his eye open. He probably isn't comfortable. He'd like my bed.” The children took note of the animals sharp teeth and claws, which led to a conversation about hunting and survival.   Art provocations are meant to provoke thoughts, discussions, questions, creativity and ideas. Provocations come in many forms; a photo, picture or book, nature, an object, an interest that a child has...., any source at...

Hello Families, you have probably heard about Bubbles by now and may have even had him visit your home. He is our adorable pet dog who loves to go home with your child for a sleep over and then comes back to class with fond memories of his visit away. Your child then tells us all about their time together during our circle. There is also a book that is getting filled with photos and drawings showing us what Bubbles has gotten to do. Before Bubbles was allowed to go visiting, the children made up rules of what Bubbles may do and may not do. We then wrote the list into the book that is brought home with Bubbles. The children discussed what they could do with Bubbles and what may happen if Bubbles did the things he shouldn’t do. But before anything could be done, the children had to come up with a name for the class pet. It was done very diplomatically with suggestions of names and then voting on it. Bubbles was almost called Patricia, it was a very close vote.   Dayna too...

At the art table the children were provided with different colored tissue, sparkles, black circles, paper plates and paint. They were able to make any type of vehicle they wanted.       Chloe made a train that has lots of wheels.                   Sarah made a car that has an extra tire just in case you need another one.                     Yasmine made a sparkly car for a princess.   Rea made a school bus with three windows.                      Alessandria made a fire truck.   Check out the hallway for more artwork of things that go! Until next time, Patricia          

As a Childhood Educator it is always rewarding to see the boys and girls individually learn through their exploration of experiences provided here at preschool. However, I am equally amazed to watch the children creatively interact as their play become more imaginative and socially involved. I have seen most of their classroom time move from parallel play to cooperative collaboration, showing great growth in valuable social skills such as sharing, turn taking and verbal negotiation, to name a few. It is also incredible to see young children demonstrate compassion for each other in tangible ways such as retrieving a tissue for another friend, helping another child put on their jacket or helping to open or close a container at the group snack table. These days of early learning alongside other children creates a firm foundation for enduring friendships and the first of many more opportunities for increased social experiences. Until next time, Lori   ...

We changed things at the art table today. No chairs and no individual art. Everyone was able to move and put color wherever they want.       At first everyone wanted to have his or her own white space to color. The children just stuck to their “own area”.       Lucas enjoyed using two eyedroppers simultaneously. He carefully watched as the two colors mixed on the paper towel. When he saw blue and green mixing, he said, “Looks like the earth”.   Keira tried Lucas’s method of using two eyedroppers but with different colors. She mixed the red and the blue. Keira said she was trying to make purple that is why she used the red and blue.     Sofia and Lucas helped each other make “rainbow earth”.     Other children came to the art table as well and helped color the paper towel. They were very determined to color everything and see no white. It is each child’s small piece in t...

With the celebration of Valentine’s Day this month, it was relevant for the children to learn the Mandarin word for heart, which is xīn. The children explored their environment that gave them the opportunity to practice saying heart in Mandarin. For children, repetition and children directed activities are key to learning.   Katie and Caitlyn enjoyed making heart shaped cookies.   Sara decorated her xīn with hóng sè (red), huáng sè (yellow), zǐ sè    (purple) and lán sè (blue).   J aslynn liked stamping and seeing the different designs on the paper.   Chloe pretended that the hóngxīn (red hearts) were gummies.     With Valentine’s Day coming up, do not forget to tell your loved ones   Until next time, Patricia            

Often parents seem to worry their children might get their clothes dirty, or that they may become ill because of the dirt. As a result, outdoor play is frequently limited. In fact, allowing children to get physical with the “dirty” outside world is good for them. The immune system is designed to build up a defence against bacteria and viruses.... but it needs to be conditioned. In order to recognize harmful germs, it needs to come into contact with germs. This is when antibodies are created. When the time comes, the child who has been exposed to harmful germs will be less susceptible to becoming ill. Your child also needs to be active, run around and feel happy playing outside. Worrying about stains will make the child feel too wary about activities that make him happy. You can't replace that happiness with clean clothes, or with indoor inactive activities. As well, children need to explore and discover the world. Exploration fuels the imagination and creates lifelon...