Welcome to our Sr. Toddler room at Wesley! Recently, the children showed great interest in farm animals so educators allowed them to expand their knowledge through many hands on activities, circle time book readings, and songs.
We introduced an art experience in which the children created paper chickens. The students are able to improve their fine motor skills as well as their hand eye coordination while using a bingo dabber to add a splash of color. During the project, we talked about the sounds a chicken makes and the life cycles of chickens.
Our toddlers also had a chance to become veterinarians! The children helped the piggies complete their check-ups. They lined the pigs up from largest to smallest on the scales and after they were done, they washed the muddy pigs in soap and water and placed them back into their pens.
The children were also engaged in our mystery box experience. The educators had hidden small farm animal replica in each box. When the children opened them and saw the animal inside, it gave them a sense of discovery and wonderment. We discussed the sounds that each animal makes and engaged the children in thought provoking and open ended discussions regarding their findings.
To further extend our learning opportunity, the children helped the farmers “milk” a cow. This experience combined fine motor control as well as hand eye coordination while they learned about animals in a farm setting and how milk is collected.
While taking part in another art experience, we introduced various mediums which the children used to make prints. We incorporated celery sticks as a tool where the children are able to grab and dip them in a variety of colors to freely express themselves artistically. Again these experiences naturally lend themselves as opportunities where children explore art as a means of expression while simultaneously enhancing their fine motor skills and hand eye coordination.
Our senior toddlers also participated in an animal stretch activity where children drew from their current learning and called out an animal while holding a pose that required much focus and concentration. This experience connected the cognitive aspect of recalling the animals learned while also physically demanding oneself to stay in that position and to verbally recalling the animal’s native sound that they make.
Within the farm animal theme, we engaged the children in another art activity – making a sheep. The children were encouraged to apply white glue first and then apply cotton balls. By carefully placing the pompoms, the children gave the sheep a full body of warm “wool”.
During pretend play time, we introduced various loose parts and natural materials that enhanced their experience. The children created their own version of a barn/stable where the animals could rest. As a sensory experience, the children manipulated the animals, hay, moss, rocks and tractor to give them an introduction of what a farm animal habitat includes. Some of the children tried to feed the animals some grass. The sheer happiness felt when manipulating these items just shows how much joy and learning can come through playing!
As one of our final components, the children also engaged in a STEM activity that utilized the light table to enhance their experience. By doing so, the light table accentuated the colors and added a subtle visual stimulation that magnifies the current learning experience. With a collection of natural loose parts of wooden colored blocks and tinted plastics, the light really enhanced whatever the child chose to engage themselves in.
As you can see, the senior toddlers had an amazing time learning about farm animals! There are a few more photos on our Facebook page for you to enjoy.