Toddlebots - March Update

Well March has come and gone and it was a huge month for the Toddle Bots.

I joined the Toddle Bot group on March 4^th and shadowed Brittany for a week learning the routines and getting to know your children.  After the fastest week in history we said a sad good bye to Brittany and the month went on.

The Toddle Bots are so welcoming and we have quickly fallen into a routine mostly familiar to them.

The weather has warmed up significantly allowing us to spend lots of time out in the yard; I really enjoy being outdoors and have seen firsthand the benefits that large blocks of outdoor play can have on young children.  It allows them time to get deep into dramatic and physical play as well as absorbing vitamin D and access to fresh air.  My hope is to incorporate a lot of outdoor time as the weather warms up and we welcome summer.

We have added an informal circle time (children are free to come and go) to the Toddle Bot group, I realized early this month that the Toddle Bots LOVE to sing!! They also love to learn and practice actions to songs they know and are curious and excited to learn new songs!  At circle time I have introduced some props to help choose song both new and familiar to the Toddle Bots these include:

-A song box, where each Toddler can reach in and choose a song card, as we sing their song they get to put it back into the box.

-A song wheel where children can take turn spinning the arrow around to a song of their choice.

-A dice of pictures of familiar songs that can be shaken and rolled to choose a song.

-I have also been using finger puppets to tell stories and sing songs.

The Toddle Bots have been very open and receptive to Circle Time and often are all willing to clean up and come running when I begin singing our circle time gathering song.

We have spent time painting, gluing, and coloring this month so I can get use to each child’s abilities and begin planning activities to meet their needs.

We ended the month with a few spirit weeks and enjoyed dressing up and being silly.

I am really excited to be a part of the Toddle Bot group and can’t wait to see what next month has in store for us!

Happy Spring!

-Shawna