Usually this time of year all of the kids in the center are getting to do snow activities. However, since the weather has been on the warmer side, they have really been exploring water. What kid doesn't love water? It is an extremely beneficial learning tool, and with this activity they got to fill different cup and tubes. Watching the water run through them and out back into the bin and maybe some onto the floor.. 

The other day, our preschool class had a candy cane tasting! With an array of flavors ranging from original peppermint to warheads.. hence some of the more interesting facial expressions. The children got to try each flavor and then put their name under which one they liked the most. First place went to the Spree candy canes, second place was Sweet Tarts and third was actually Warheads. What a surprise that Warheads won over original peppermint. This was such a fun activity for the children to not only use their senses to explore different flavors but also to practice their handwriting and share their opinions with each other. Activities like this always spark a lot of discussion in the classroom and helps the teachers understand what kind of things the children are interested in and how their minds process what they are learning about.

Last week, the infants enjoyed exploring some winter themed sensory activities. There was white fluff and pinecones to represent pinecones in the "snow," a scented salt shaker with warm and cozy smells of the season and a jingle bell sensory bottle! When practicing sitting up or working on tummy time, it is so important to give infants something to work on or look at, in order to keep them engaged.