Here is the updates to my classroom I made over these past months. I added a beautiful Asian fan I bought at a garage sale to add to the multicultural elements. I continued to make murals with my toddlers (ages 18 months-2 1/2 years). The toddlers helped paint the backgrounds. They helped paint and color Cricut cut shapes. Last they helped decide on the location of the shapes and glue them. My class made a beautiful work of art every time. A few more works of arts are also included in the update.
To add to the science elements in the room I put up Velcro circles and added pictures I printed off the Internet and laminated with the Your Story machine. The children loved looking at the pictures and being able to rearrange and redecorate the room. I also at a garage sale found Plastic science sheets with 3D raised parts of Zoology and Plant pictures. The textures of the 3D elements of the sheets interested the children. I also put these plastic sheets up in the same window as the laminated photos seen in the photo.
When the children showed interest in the Velcro dots and decorating I added the dots to the front of the fridge. This activity built the children's fine motor skills. I also put both the rough and smooth sides of the Velcro dots on the fridge and pictures so the children could learn to notice the differences. The children learned how the Velcro works. They learned and experimented with the Velcro. If their picture did not stick the first time they tried again with the other kind of dot (rough/smooth).
I added to the top of this white shelf multicultural pictures from a banner I bought at Scholar's Choice. The next photo shows a close up of the top of the shelf.
To allow the children to see their art work as they arrive at the daycare I put a display on the window. The lettering is store bought. I had it before I bought the Cricut. On the Cricut I made the train. I had the train incorporate math and the numbers 1 to 5 on one side and symbols on the other side. The children decorated the symbols and numbers by marble painting them. I taped the shapes to construction paper and rolled it inside a pringles chip can. I had the children pick the color of paint and I put some in the can. I taped on the lid and gave it to the children. They shook it and rolled it and then I took the masterpiece out and let it dry. When the shapes were dry I put them on the train. It came out beautifully.
To add to interest in the room I added mobiles. The shapes used were mostly off the Cricut. The children created crafts and once a month I rotated the art on the mobiles. I have had up stars, birds (class favorite), trees, bugs, and paper airplanes. The children are so proud to be able to look at their art and remember making it.
I added to my science area by putting up picture cards I made by laminating pictures out of old Wild, Owl, Chickadee, and other Nature magazines. I placed the pictures on scrap booking paper that matched a color within the picture. The Your Story machine has been a valuable investment to me as it enabled me to have my things last through more than a week with very curious young children.
Here is another example of a group of photos I put in the window to encourage learning and questions with my children. The week I put this up we were going for a nature walk near the end of the week. I provided the pictures so we could talk about and name the creatures and then when we go for the walk the children could help name them and/or find them as we go for our stroller ride.
I like to take pictures and my children love to look at pictures. So I printed out a small collection of my pictures and brought them in. To ensure the pictures last I attached them to scrapbook paper and then trimmed them to fit inside clear protective binder sleeves. I last taped the sleeves shut so little hands could not take the pages out. They children loved this display as the parakeet picture reminds the children of a special visit they had with Desi the parakeet. My mom brought in her bird Desi the bird in the photo and he gave each child a kiss on their finger. Desi's picture drew the children in and then they started to point and ask about the other pictures. This display was such a literacy builder. The children were interested in the pictures and focused their attention on developing their literacy so they could communicate about the pictures.
Here are another couple examples of my classroom murals made with my classroom children.
The focus of the first mural was on birds. The children showed an interest in the robins we can see out our window so I followed their lead and provided the materials for this craft.
The focus for this mural was summer. We were talking about what we do in the summer and how we have fun. So the children told me or showed me what we can do. I looked for shapes on my Cricut cartridges and cut them out. The children painted the background by sponge painting. After the children's nap the children glued their summer shapes on their masterpiece.
To add to the blocks and building area I made picture cards of some of the wonders of the world. I printed them off the Internet and laminated them with the Your Story machine. The children found interesting and colorful. This also gave the room more multicultural elements.
I added to my rooms shapes the children had interest in. The toddlers seemed drawn to trains and Thomas the Tank Engine. I made the name of my classroom age group out of the engine, caboose, and letter train cars. The children loved the train and it was a key element in I-Spy games too as it incorporated colors and letters in our room to look for. I also made shapes the children often use such as the paint, paint brush, and crayons.
On my classroom door I bought a multicultural sign as I love that it incorporates sign language in the spelling of the word welcome. The whole sign language alphabet it on the back too. It is a great resource to have. I made the bright orange and black clock and schedule sign to draw attention to visitor to my room. This helped prevent nap interruptions. It also helps parents know approximately when we did activities. That way if parents wanted to drop by and see a certain activity they know when it will be.
I added to my programming board. I added from the Toy Story Cricut Cartridge Buzz and Woody. This helps the older toddlers that are past Elmo and are now interested in movies, space, and Toy Story.
I modified a poster I bought and had laminated at Scholar's Choice. I made the numbers 01-09 with red and black scrap booking paper. I laminated the numbers and background paper with the Your Story and then applied the Velcro circles beside the number on the poster. The children had fun playing with this activity. They used the Velcro well. The younger toddlers use the Velcro and moved the numbers around the different Velcro circles on the poster. The older toddlers looked over the poster and actively looked to match the number card to the spot on the poster it belonged. This is a strength building activity in many areas of child development.
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