Creative Sticker Names

At the beginning of the year I always start with getting to know our own and each others names better. I especially want the children to experiment with their own name, figure out what letters are in it, how they are shaped, what their name looks like, etc. Many preschoolers don't know how to write their names yet, and what a better way to learn out then through art and play!!

I printed off each child's name on the computer, set out stickers of all kinds and crayons. This seems pretty simple, but it was also a great success. I saw so many great things going on from tracing, to copying, to outlining the letters with stickers, and simply coloring in their name. All of these outcomes are ways children get more familiar with their name and eventually learn how to write it!! Happy name writing!!

opposites - over and under weaving

this week we've been learning about OPPOSITES and today we emphasized "over and under".

we did a weaving activity which really worked on the student's small motor skills, and gave them a great sense of ACCOMPLISHMENT.

we discussed going "over" and "under" each piece as they went and they really had a great time with this. many students made 3 or 4 of these.

this is how i set the activity up

i absolutley love watching the children try so hard to make this work for THEM

many of them loved using the tape to help hold pieces in place and others just liked doing it FREESTYLE......

here is one of the students finished products, i think they turned out great and what hard work to get this OUTCOME for them!! remember, with preschool kids it's the process and not the product that matters. they just love to explore and figure how things work and the product doesn't exactly matter to them like it does to us.

allow them to explore but also be a guide for them. talk with them through it, figure out what they are thinking and try not to push them into what YOU want the outcome to be.

most of all.......HAVE FUN!!

what else we've been up to with "Over and Under"

we had a LOT of fun painting OVER and UNDER the entire table. it's funny how if you change one little thing, like the WAY you paint, it gives the children a whole new world to discover!

this was one of the final outcomes - isn't it GREAT!!

for a couple of days this week, we've had water in the messy table. The kids absolutely love exploring in water. i was there to encourage discussion about "over and under", "in and out", "wet and dry", "open and shut" plus much more!! what fun!!