Miss Wayne County

Yesterday, Miss Wayne County visited our Monteith program to talk about STEM and make slime with the students. The children helped measure ingredients and stir the mixture together. They discussed how it was changing properties, and what it felt like. This visit supported our math and science curriculum objectives with hands on learning.

They also had the opportunity to hold Miss Wayne County's crown, and try it on. Miss Wayne County is a scholarship program affiliated with the Miss America Organization. Each representative chooses a cause close to their heart and dedicates their year of service to supporting that cause. Shelby's cause is STEM, and she believes it is important for all ages to have experiences in Science. Technology, Engineering and Math.

Sensory Tables

What is happening in our sensory tables this week?

We are enjoying a wide variety of materials and explorations from Infants through Pre-K. Whether it is sifting sand, filling cups of water, or scooping snow- the children's senses are engaged and brain connections are growing stronger and stronger!

Sensory Exploration

One thing we love at the GPPSS Child Development and Preschool Program is Sensory Exploration!! Our Preschool classroom even coined the phrase "Messy Mondays" last school year inviting parents to participate in creating sensory materials and joining in to play!

Sensory exploration sets the stage for open ended, hands on learning. The children create their own experience- deciding how to manipulate the materials, testing out their own theories and exploring concepts of math, science, problem solving, and cooperation. While observing sensory explorations, teachers often hear very descriptive vocabulary words and creative ideas!

Whether it is sifting sand, filling cups of water, sorting colored rice, or drawing in shaving cream, the children's senses are engaged and brain connections are growing stronger and stronger!

We love our Messy Mondays.... and our Messy "Every-Days"!

Homemade Dough

One popular material around our school is Play-dough!! The children think of endless ways to squish, sculpt and mold the dough. They love to add in cookie cutters, pom poms, popsicle sticks, pipe cleaners, rolling pins and more to their dough! 

You can make this dough at home with just a few simple ingredients. Children can participate in the stirring and mixing, but should be supervised around the boiling water. Adding food coloring or Kool-Aid to your dough can change the color and scent! 

Here is our basic recipe:

Recipe:

• 2 cups plain all purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup salt
• 2 tablespoons cream of tartar
• 1- 1.5 cups of boiling water (add slowly until it feels right)
• 1 packet Kool-Aid (optional)

Instructions:

• Mix flour, salt, cream of tartar, kool-aid and oil into the mixing bowl.
• Stir dry ingredients together.
• Add water slowly to the dry ingredients ( I typically use 1 1/4 cup water)
• Keep stirring- dough will be sticky!
• Let cool for a few moments and then knead with your hands vigorously!
• Set the dough aside until it cools completely and then enjoy!