preschool

FunShine Tells: The Purpose Behind Creative Arts

| Chalimar Rios

It is well known that children are interested in colors, textures, shiny objects, etc. These materials arouse curiosity in them and a desire to explore in depth. This is why crafts and different expressions of art tend to be attractive activities for children. But what is the purpose behind art and those shiny colors? What is behind those interesting textures and materials? 

Arts and crafts awaken creativity, ideas, strategies, and ways of thinking in children that help them see the ideas in their minds become a tangible reality. From the moment a child is presented with all these materials, guided by ideas and suggestions, and the moment the child holds the first material, say a crayon, a pom, or a piece of paper, their brain gets stimulated, sending and receiving multiple messages that prompt them to create. 

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FunShine Tells: Strengthening Storytime

| Chalimar Rios

Storytime has always been one of my favorites, both as a mom and as a teacher. I have always been passionate about seeing the children’s faces as they prepare and calm down to listen to the story. I wonder what children are thinking. Are they wondering what the story is about? Are they curious to learn about the characters? I have always thought that there are many hidden emotions in storytime. While one might think that more active activities might be children’s favorites, story time has its own special charm.

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FunShine Tells: Why Use Curriculum?

| Chalimar Rios

Nursery children playing with teacher in the classroom

Running a preschool or childcare center can bring excitement, gratification, and joy as well as uncertainty and challenges. Starting from the moment that first idea sparks until you finally see it come true, one of the best tools to have on hand is the support of an educational curriculum. The strategies, structure, and interactions between adults and peers provided by the use of an educational curriculum in a child’s first years of learning is proven to form a student who not only will enjoy the learning process in the preschool years, but also in school years to come. Continue reading →

Charlie’s Cues: Using the Alphabet Word Cards

| Chalimar Rios

The sounds, words, songs, rhymes, and illustrations children are exposed to influence the ways they speak and communicate. This is why an environment rich in writing, letters, and vocabulary offers them the opportunity to develop strong language skills.

The Fireflies curriculum, for ages 3-5, becomes part of building a writing-rich classroom by including Alphabet Word Cards as part of your monthly kit. The cards show the letters that will be taught that month, accompanied by illustrations. Each month the letters taught are different but the purpose behind the cards is the same: to help children acquire vocabulary, learn new letters and their sounds, encourage repetition, and familiarize children with and help them become comfortable with using new words.

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Charlie’s Cues: Using the Counting Cards

| Chalimar Rios

We are exposed to math concepts from the time we are born and this continues as we grow. We learn how and when to communicate when we are “all done,” and how to ask for more when there is a little bit of food left. Through transitions, we begin to learn the concept of time, and then we continue to learn math concepts through stories, rhymes, and songs. As teachers and caregivers, we also make math part of the children’s day by counting toys when cleaning up, counting the days of the week on the calendar, or when we celebrate birthdays together. Math is everywhere!

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