Yasmeen

Insta Snow Christmas Color Science// The colors of the holidays sure light up the magic of the season. This invitation is a fun way to explore color & science + end it with some fun #sensoryplay. To set this invitation you will need clear or white cups. First pour water into the cups & add @colorations.artoflearning Liquid WaterColors. You can place these fun lights from the @dollartree to be a point of reference to match the colors that will form. Next pour a tablespoon of @stevespanglerscience Insta Snow from @discountschoolsupply into the cup and watch the magic unfold & with snow much fun! The science behind. Insta Snow works by using a superabsorbent polymer, primarily sodium polyacrylate, which rapidly expands when mixed with water, essentially acting like tiny sponges that soak up the water & dramatically increase in volume, creating a fluffy snow-like appearance; this process is driven by osmosis, where water molecules move from a high concentration area (the water) to a low concentration area (within the polymer chains), causing them to swell and separate, resembling snowflakes. #tinkerwonderplay #preschoolscience #earlystemeducation #stemeducation #stemeducationforkids #stemeducator #preschoolstem #preschoolsteam #stevespanglerscience #discountschoolsupply

Insta Snow Christmas Color Science// The colors of the holidays sure light up the magic of the season. This invitation is a fun way to explore color & science + end it with some fun #sensoryplay. To set this invitation you will need clear or white cups. First pour water into the cups & add @colorations.artoflearning Liquid WaterColors. You can place these fun lights from the @dollartree to be a point of reference to match the colors that will form. Next pour a tablespoon of @stevespanglerscience Insta Snow from @discountschoolsupply into the cup and watch the magic unfold & with snow much fun! The science behind. Insta Snow works by using a superabsorbent polymer, primarily sodium polyacrylate, which rapidly expands when mixed with water, essentially acting like tiny sponges that soak up the water & dramatically increase in volume, creating a fluffy snow-like appearance; this process is driven by osmosis, where water molecules move from a high concentration area (the water) to a low concentration area (within the polymer chains), causing them to swell and separate, resembling snowflakes. #tinkerwonderplay #preschoolscience #earlystemeducation #stemeducation #stemeducationforkids #stemeducator #preschoolstem #preschoolsteam #stevespanglerscience #discountschoolsupply

Moana 2 Small World Play// Make way for this Moana Small World Play! If you haven’t already seen @disneyanimation #Moana2, 10/10 recommend. After seeing it in theaters, we just had to recreate the amazing movie through #smallworldplay. In our @discountschoolsupply #tufftray we placed blue iridescent fabric as the water, placed our @grimmswoodentoys toys, sea life figurines, aquarium seaweed, acrylic sea creature/shells loose parts, sea shells, fake rocks, and @disney #Moana Toys. The children were invited to way find like Moana, shape shift like Maui, crow like Hei Hei, sidekick like pua, love like Moana’s family, all while using their imagination from the magic & beauty of the film. #tinkerwonderplay #moanadisney #moanamovie #tufftrayideas #tufftrayplay #tufftrayinspiration #tufftrayfun #moanapartyideas

Moana 2 Small World Play// Make way for this Moana Small World Play! If you haven’t already seen @disneyanimation #Moana2, 10/10 recommend. After seeing it in theaters, we just had to recreate the amazing movie through #smallworldplay. In our @discountschoolsupply #tufftray we placed blue iridescent fabric as the water, placed our @grimmswoodentoys toys, sea life figurines, aquarium seaweed, acrylic sea creature/shells loose parts, sea shells, fake rocks, and @disney #Moana Toys. The children were invited to way find like Moana, shape shift like Maui, crow like Hei Hei, sidekick like pua, love like Moana’s family, all while using their imagination from the magic & beauty of the film. #tinkerwonderplay #moanadisney #moanamovie #tufftrayideas #tufftrayplay #tufftrayinspiration #tufftrayfun #moanapartyideas

Three Farm Invitations//We have been learning all about Farm Animals this month through reading books & extending the literacy experience through invitations. By creating invitations that make books come to life through playing, exploring, creating, & tinkering are some of the best ways to build comprehension skills while also creating life long lovers of reading! So many skills are enhanced, developed, & supported through this type of learning in #earlychildhood. Here are three invitations to learn about farm life! 1. Invitation to Shear Farm Animals: We taught the children that shearing is typically done once a year, before the summer heat, to help animals stay cool & comfortable. To set this invitation we placed inflatable farm animals. We covered the animals with shaving cream, placed different cleaning tools to be their “shearing” tools, & invited the children to shear the animals. 2. Horse Stable Small World Play: After reading books about horses, we set this #smallworldplay that was inspired by all things horses. We placed a wooden horse stable, pet bedding, horse figurines, trees, pretend food, tractors, farmer, & any other items that you may see near a horse stable. The children were invited to play! 3. Invitation to Paint a Cardboard Barn: We invited the children to paint their very own 3-D cardboard barn with @colorations.artoflearning tempera paint in our paint cups with brushes all from @discountschoolsupply. #tinkerwonderplay #invitationtoplay #invitationtoexplore #invitationtocreate #handsonlearning #literacymatters #learningthroughplay #openendedplay #tufftrayplay #sensoryplay #preschoolactivities #earlychildhoodeducation

Three Farm Invitations//We have been learning all about Farm Animals this month through reading books & extending the literacy experience through invitations. By creating invitations that make books come to life through playing, exploring, creating, & tinkering are some of the best ways to build comprehension skills while also creating life long lovers of reading! So many skills are enhanced, developed, & supported through this type of learning in #earlychildhood. Here are three invitations to learn about farm life! 1. Invitation to Shear Farm Animals: We taught the children that shearing is typically done once a year, before the summer heat, to help animals stay cool & comfortable. To set this invitation we placed inflatable farm animals. We covered the animals with shaving cream, placed different cleaning tools to be their “shearing” tools, & invited the children to shear the animals. 2. Horse Stable Small World Play: After reading books about horses, we set this #smallworldplay that was inspired by all things horses. We placed a wooden horse stable, pet bedding, horse figurines, trees, pretend food, tractors, farmer, & any other items that you may see near a horse stable. The children were invited to play! 3. Invitation to Paint a Cardboard Barn: We invited the children to paint their very own 3-D cardboard barn with @colorations.artoflearning tempera paint in our paint cups with brushes all from @discountschoolsupply. #tinkerwonderplay #invitationtoplay #invitationtoexplore #invitationtocreate #handsonlearning #literacymatters #learningthroughplay #openendedplay #tufftrayplay #sensoryplay #preschoolactivities #earlychildhoodeducation

Invitation to Put the Fire Out// This whole month we have been exploring community helpers along with safety. After reading a lot of books about firefighters, we also talked about what firefighters do to keep our community safe, the tools they use, the gear they wear, & where their stations are located & how/what they transport to places, etc. We set up a hands-on invitation to play that would not only spark a lot of #pretendplay, it would allow us to reinforce how the heroes, like firefighters, save people, animals, community buildings, & homes in danger. In a #sensorybin we placed different structures to act as the burning buildings “on fire” (shaving cream with @colorations.artoflearning liquid watercolors & @discountschoolsupply tissue paper as fire), @waytoplaytoys roads, & fire engines galore. We provided @dollartree spray bottles filled (to build their #finemotorskills) with water and invited the children to become firefighters, rescue their community, & put the flames out. Dramatic/Pretend play that is paired with sensory exploration (shaving cream, water, tissue paper), such as this is a crucial part of #earlychildhood. Since possibilities are truly limitless in play it encourages a child to use their imagination in its truest form by doing. The child will build social and emotional skills, language skills, problem-solving skills, take risks, & become whoever they want to be. If there is one thing we need to encourage children to do more is imagine, and through dramatic/pretend play they will! After all, play is the work of a child. #tinkerwonderplay #learninhthroughplay #handsonlearning #communityhelpers #playbasedlearning #earlychildhoodeducation #earlychildhooddevelopment #dramaticplay #imaginaryplay

Invitation to Put the Fire Out// This whole month we have been exploring community helpers along with safety. After reading a lot of books about firefighters, we also talked about what firefighters do to keep our community safe, the tools they use, the gear they wear, & where their stations are located & how/what they transport to places, etc. We set up a hands-on invitation to play that would not only spark a lot of #pretendplay, it would allow us to reinforce how the heroes, like firefighters, save people, animals, community buildings, & homes in danger. In a #sensorybin we placed different structures to act as the burning buildings "on fire" (shaving cream with @colorations.artoflearning liquid watercolors & @discountschoolsupply tissue paper as fire), @waytoplaytoys roads, & fire engines galore. We provided @dollartree spray bottles filled (to build their #finemotorskills) with water and invited the children to become firefighters, rescue their community, & put the flames out. Dramatic/Pretend play that is paired with sensory exploration (shaving cream, water, tissue paper), such as this is a crucial part of #earlychildhood. Since possibilities are truly limitless in play it encourages a child to use their imagination in its truest form by doing. The child will build social and emotional skills, language skills, problem-solving skills, take risks, & become whoever they want to be. If there is one thing we need to encourage children to do more is imagine, and through dramatic/pretend play they will! After all, play is the work of a child. #tinkerwonderplay #learninhthroughplay #handsonlearning #communityhelpers #playbasedlearning #earlychildhoodeducation #earlychildhooddevelopment #dramaticplay #imaginaryplay

Trolls Village Small World Play// When children see movies, read books, experience environments, spark an interest in a subject matter, or engage in #imaginaryplay, being able to provide an environment with their current curiosities can honor rich play. Play comes in all different forms, & our core memories are associated with play that was meaningful to us. Whether a child is interested in dinosaurs, space, or in this case @trolls, the magic of #smallworldplay can truly bring their wonders to life. To set up this #Trolls Village, in our @discountschoolsupply #TuffTray I placed @rock.blocks, natural wooden blocks, dyed rice, acrylic rocks, grappa loose parts, moss, felt flowers, trolls figurines, a fairy house, @grimmswoodentoys coral reef + rainbow, & mushrooms. Exploring these materials through #openendedplay is a great way for extending literacy, language, imaginary & #sensoryplay. Through this play they can reenact what they see/hear in stories, movies, shows, experiences, & environments around them to deepen their understanding of the world. This type of play can be defined as where children accept & assign roles, then act them out. When children engage in this type of play they break through the walls of reality, use their imagination, pretend to be someone or something different from themselves, explore different worlds, & have actions to go along with the roles they have chosen to play.   Play is an integral part of the developmental learning process by allowing children to develop skills in such areas as abstract thinking, literacy, math, & social studies, in a timely natural manner. They are able to play & manipulate a variety of materials and textures that stimulate their mind & body while deepening their connection & understanding of the world.   Childhood can quite possibly be some of the most magical years with such wondrous films like the #trollsmovie, so why not spread more magic with PLAY & create memories that will stay with a child forever!   #tinkerwonderplay #trollsparty #trollsworldtour #trollsofficial #tufftrayideas #tufftrayplay #tufftrayactivities #tufftrayfun #tufftrayinspiration #trollsbandtogether

Trolls Village Small World Play// When children see movies, read books, experience environments, spark an interest in a subject matter, or engage in #imaginaryplay, being able to provide an environment with their current curiosities can honor rich play. Play comes in all different forms, & our core memories are associated with play that was meaningful to us. Whether a child is interested in dinosaurs, space, or in this case @trolls, the magic of #smallworldplay can truly bring their wonders to life. To set up this #Trolls Village, in our @discountschoolsupply #TuffTray I placed @rock.blocks, natural wooden blocks, dyed rice, acrylic rocks, grappa loose parts, moss, felt flowers, trolls figurines, a fairy house, @grimmswoodentoys coral reef + rainbow, & mushrooms. Exploring these materials through #openendedplay is a great way for extending literacy, language, imaginary & #sensoryplay. Through this play they can reenact what they see/hear in stories, movies, shows, experiences, & environments around them to deepen their understanding of the world. This type of play can be defined as where children accept & assign roles, then act them out. When children engage in this type of play they break through the walls of reality, use their imagination, pretend to be someone or something different from themselves, explore different worlds, & have actions to go along with the roles they have chosen to play.   Play is an integral part of the developmental learning process by allowing children to develop skills in such areas as abstract thinking, literacy, math, & social studies, in a timely natural manner. They are able to play & manipulate a variety of materials and textures that stimulate their mind & body while deepening their connection & understanding of the world.   Childhood can quite possibly be some of the most magical years with such wondrous films like the #trollsmovie, so why not spread more magic with PLAY & create memories that will stay with a child forever!   #tinkerwonderplay #trollsparty #trollsworldtour #trollsofficial #tufftrayideas #tufftrayplay #tufftrayactivities #tufftrayfun #tufftrayinspiration #trollsbandtogether

Two Native American Heritage Month Invitations//#NativeAmericanHeritageMonth is a great opportunity to celebrate the diverse histories, traditions, & cultures of the indigenous people. Playing tribute to rich ancestry through reading stories is a great way to honor & learn more about the #NativeAmerican people. Here are two ways we have been exploring through these invitations that are inspired all by books by @michaelagoade & @joyharjoforreal. 1. Invitation to Explore Berries: The #Caldecott honor book Berry Song by Michaela Goade, is about a girl & her grandmother gathering gifts from the earth. Salmon from the stream, herring eggs from the ocean, & in the forest, a world of berries. Brimming with joy & gratitude, in every step of their journey, they forge a deeper kinship with both the earth & the generations that came before. After reading the story we set out an invitation to eat berries + jams with berries to deepen the children’s own relationship with the food, where it came from, & how it tastes.  2. Invitation to Paint Remember: The book Remember by US Poet Laureate #JoyHarjo + Caldecott Medalist #MichaelaGoade is another beautiful book that invites children to reflect on the wonder of the world around them, their family, heritage, nature, & how we are all connected. The timeless poem is paired with magnificent paintings which makes for a book that is a true celebration of life & our human role within it. Since the book is full of vivid illustrations of the earth & the wonder of nature we integrated the literacy experience by inviting the children to paint through resist art with watercolors on salt & oil pastel designs. Whenever we set invitations that are related to books, it makes the concept explorations even more motivating, engaging, & appealing to the children. The pictures & words impart a lot of meaning but the invitations further help in the child’s ability to retain & comprehend the information, extend the children’s inquiry learning process, all while making the magic of a story come to life. #tinkerwonderplay #invitationtoexplore #invitationtocreate #nativeamericanhistory #literacymatters #inclusiveeducation

Two Native American Heritage Month Invitations//#NativeAmericanHeritageMonth is a great opportunity to celebrate the diverse histories, traditions, & cultures of the indigenous people. Playing tribute to rich ancestry through reading stories is a great way to honor & learn more about the #NativeAmerican people. Here are two ways we have been exploring through these invitations that are inspired all by books by @michaelagoade & @joyharjoforreal. 1. Invitation to Explore Berries: The #Caldecott honor book Berry Song by Michaela Goade, is about a girl & her grandmother gathering gifts from the earth. Salmon from the stream, herring eggs from the ocean, & in the forest, a world of berries. Brimming with joy & gratitude, in every step of their journey, they forge a deeper kinship with both the earth & the generations that came before. After reading the story we set out an invitation to eat berries + jams with berries to deepen the children’s own relationship with the food, where it came from, & how it tastes.  2. Invitation to Paint Remember: The book Remember by US Poet Laureate #JoyHarjo + Caldecott Medalist #MichaelaGoade is another beautiful book that invites children to reflect on the wonder of the world around them, their family, heritage, nature, & how we are all connected. The timeless poem is paired with magnificent paintings which makes for a book that is a true celebration of life & our human role within it. Since the book is full of vivid illustrations of the earth & the wonder of nature we integrated the literacy experience by inviting the children to paint through resist art with watercolors on salt & oil pastel designs. Whenever we set invitations that are related to books, it makes the concept explorations even more motivating, engaging, & appealing to the children. The pictures & words impart a lot of meaning but the invitations further help in the child’s ability to retain & comprehend the information, extend the children’s inquiry learning process, all while making the magic of a story come to life. #tinkerwonderplay #invitationtoexplore #invitationtocreate #nativeamericanhistory #literacymatters #inclusiveeducation