FAIRY tales

The snow has melted in our woods creating a brand new world to explore. Pine cones, moss, sticks, rocks, and buds of new life are some of the little treasures we've been finding. It seems that fairies  come into conversation when we're in the woods amongst some of the children which inspired me to create a "Fairy World" invitation for our classroom.

     

The first morning it was out I stood back and watched some of the children play. They used the sticks as fairy wands, created paths and roads with the rocks and wood pieces, and even set up a fairy trap! One girl told me that fairies eat gold (small wood pieces) so they needed to trap them! They took one of the houses and filled it with lots of "gold". She said the fairy would fly in the house to eat it and she was going to put her hand over it to trap her! (No luck!) 

To extend the interest of fairies I put out some materials so the children could make their very own fairy dust.....

They were all VERY excited they got to take their jars home! I can't wait to see how we can extend this in our backyard as well.. The opportunities are endless!! 

- Leslie Dionne

MUD, MUD, MUD!!!

It's Springtime here in New Brunswick and as we all know.. April Showers bring May Flowers MUD!  It may not be my favorite time of the year, but the children LOVE it. There's something about mud that is so inviting, as if it has a voice that only children can hear. It says, "Hey! come play with me. Jump on in, roll around, I AM SO FUN YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT!" 

Yesterday was a beautiful spring day and the mud was in full force! The children started making mud pies, soups, and stomping in it immediately. They giggled when it made the squishing sounds against their rubber boots, and were screaming for someone to help them when they were stuck. By the end of the afternoon the children were rolling in it, wiping it on their face, splashing it, and even throwing mud balls! When the children left we had garbage bags ready to go so the parents could just throw their belongings into a bag. 

**I would like to take this opportunity  to THANK all of our amazing parents who were such good sports about the mud play! The staff & children appreciate your support!!** 

I will get to why letting children play in mud is important, but first...... please enjoy some pictures:

               So the moment some people are waiting for....

                      WHY MUD PLAY IS IMPORTANT:

Mud connects children with nature, and allows them to explore the world we live in.

Boosts creativity & imagination - mud pies, recipes, and other dramatic play

MUD IS ART!- some children used their fingers and sticks to make pictures on the fence.

Fosters Sensory Development- mud comes in many forms (dry, wet, rocky, cool, warm, etc) children are able to explore different textures  

Helps builds your immune system! 

Problem solving- some children don't like mud and must problem solve how to successfully navigate around the back yard. (Building bridges, etc) 

Team work & Cooperation - When a child was stuck or lost their shoe they helped each other out!

Developmentally appropriate for ALL ages. 

MUD IS FUN- children are developing childhood memories that will last a life time, and most importantly are having FUN while doing it. 

DON'T FORGET! INTERNATIONAL MUD DAY IS COMING UP NEXT MONTH! 

- Leslie Dionne