North Seattle Cooperative Preschools

Age: At least 18 months and no older than 2½ by July 31st.

The Bumblebees are just beginning to explore their worlds. Through creative play, exposure to music, art and new experiences they quickly learn about their environment and how to interact with other children and adults. Our Bumblebees class emphasizes unstructured play — giving children the room they need to engage in activities that interest and stimulate them and learn at their own pace. Our teachers and parents help guide them as they explore and learn

Daily Class Schedule

KIDS ENTER!

Activities:

• Wash hands

• Teacher and working parents help with transitions

• Children play and greet each other

• Parents who are leaving, leave by 9:45

Please note: (if your child is not ready, you are welcome to stay for the remainder of the day even if it is not your work day. We welcome the extra set of hands! If you do decide to leave it’s best to do this in a timely manner (by 9:45 ish) as prolonged transitions evoke anxiety in many children. The teacher will be available to help you design a transition plan that feels good to both you and your child) 

CLASSROOM PLAY TIME

ACTIVITIES:

• gross motor play– push toys, climbing the loft, bouncing, rocking toys, outside slide, gymnastics mats for practicing tumbling, tunnels for crawling through

• art project—the studio will usually be open for easel painting or a fun craft

• sensory table—this allows for tactile exploration as well as room for experimenting with basic scientific principles (sink/float, pouring/filling, cause & effect, laws of physics, etc.)

• playdough—another tactile experience that starts to work not only their imagination, but also their growing fine motor muscles

• dramatic play—kitchen & props, dress-up capes, building houses or boats out of blocks, pretending to be animals, the list goes on…

• blocks & building—a toddler feels quite powerful lifting and moving the big hollow blocks we have in our classroom. Their imagination is stretched when we add props to the blocks, placing animals inside block shelters, driving cars into the driveways we just built. We will hear the frequent “timber!” as the “builder” turns “condemner” and watches delightedly as his/her work of art crashes to the floor. After all, the experiment with cause and effect is far more important to the toddler’s development than is the final building product!

• Playing with Pet Turtle—we frequently take out the turtle and place him in a large tub so that the children can observe and ask questions. We practice touching him with one finger gently.

• Reading books—Oftentimes a child needs the comfort of a lap and a book and there are always parents or a teacher available to read in the rocker or on the couch.

• Manipulatives—There will be ample supply of cause and effect toys, in and out toys, building toys, and rolling toys available to explore.

• Snack—snack is available throughout choice time in the kitchen

CLEAN UP

Parents solicit help from toddlers. Working parents will be making a point to pre-clean so that this final cleaning is not too big.

CIRCLE

Music and movement/ story

OUTSIDE TIME AT LAKEWOOD PLAYGROUND

Walk across the street to the local playground and play on swings, sandbox, and play structures.

GOODBYE CIRCLE (QUICK SONG)

Teacher is available to talk to parents as they come pick up their child.