Putting The Pretty In Preschool – Page 71 – Finding Beauty In Everyday Early Childhood Experiences

Igloo “Glamping” Pretend Play

March 10, 2019 by Annette Kaminsky 3 Comments

Igloo camping center with fur, sequins, fishing gear, and polar animals.

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It’s been said that you should buy beautiful things you are drawn to, even if you are not sure how they will fit into your decorating color scheme or wardrobe collection.

When I purchased a narwhal-themed sequin pillow, I wasn’t sure how I would use it in preschool play. I loved seeing color and shape change sequins in children’s clothing and thought a sensory item like this would be nice to explore in the classroom.

Then I saw some “Glamping” pretend play posts on social media and knew this pillow would be perfect for an igloo “glamping” pretend play center.

Arctic dramatic play center with polar animals and glam accessories.

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Igloo “Glamping” Center Accessories

To set up a glammed-up igloo pretend play center, collect the following:

Pop up igloo
Fur rabbit skin
Narwhal-themed sequin pillow
Bird puppet
Toy flashlight
Water bottle
Drinking glasses
Food bowl and spoon
Fishing box and reel
Paper fish
Camping chair
Stuffed snowy owl
Polar bear puppet
Toque, hat, and mittens

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Glam igloo dramatic play center with polar themed accessories.

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A fishing activity center for an arctic or camping theme

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A rope with clothespins strung behind the igloo to hang up fish to dry facilitates fine motor skills.

A color-changing light gives the igloo a green or blue glow.

Igloo pretend play center with polar animals and glam accessories.

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An arctic pretend play center with lighted igloo, polar animals, and glam accessories.

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For information about igloos, click here.

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Polar-themed dramatic play fishing center.

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“Glamping” is a form of luxurious camping. Are you a camper or more of a glamper? Share below.

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Winter Playdough Recipe

Spray Paint Snowflake Silhouette

Blue Candy Cane Science Experiment

Winter-themed Treasure Blocks

Kid’s Winter Wonderland Tablescape

Polar Bear Small World

Winter Sensory Trays

Painting Ice and Snow

Winter Wreath Paper Plate Craft

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World Book Day Story Book Feature: Just Itzy

March 6, 2019 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

World Book Day Just Itzy storybook theme. Spider sensory and small world activities for young children.

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World Book Day is held every year on the first Thursday in March. It is a celebration of authors, illustrators, and books. And it is most of all a celebration of reading.

The impact of the picture book “Just Itzy” spanning my preschool storytime, a teacher aide’s home, and three children and their classrooms makes the story worthy of a shout out for World Book Day.

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The “Just Itzy” Story

“Just Itzy” is written by Lana Krumwiede and illustrated by Greg Pizzoli. This story was one of the many books about spiders I chose last Fall in gathering resources for a Spider theme. It is an entertaining read about a spider named Itzy Bitzy and his first day of school. In the story, Itzy wants to catch his lunch instead of taking a lunch box that had been packed for him. In learning to make a spider web to trap food he becomes part of the nursery rhymes “Little Miss Muffet”, “There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly”, and “The Itsy Bitsy Spider.” By the end of the tale, Itzy builds a successful spider web AND rescues his big brother Gutzy who had been teasing him about his “smallness.”

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The Story’s Reach

My class enjoyed the story. The teacher aide liked “Just Itzy” so much she borrowed the book from a library for her three children. After numerous readings at home, the story was further enjoyed at her children’s school:

Both grade school children took the book to school to show it to their teachers and classmates.
One teacher had the teacher aide’s child read the book to the class.
The teacher in the kindergarten class ordered the book, and it fit in perfectly with the Fantasy Theme the students were working on.

The teacher aide said that for weeks afterward, their family would add humor to their day by chanting “Keep your eye on the fly,” a saying Itzy’s “spindergarten” teacher taught the class about never giving up.

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“Just Itzy” Story Centers

Spider Small World

Spider themed small world with translucent pipe builders, spiders, a fly, flowers, and a spider web on a patch of grass.

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This small world has

a play grass base
Safari Toob flowers
different-sized toy spiders
a toy fly
a cupcake liner spider web
translucent pipe builders

It is winter in our city at the moment. This activity would be great in the summer using a patch of grass and some real flowers!

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Spider Light Table Activity

Spiders, a fly, a spider web and translucent pipe builders on the light table.

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An opportunity to reenact the “Itsy Bitsy Spider” nursery rhyme on the light table or regular table with

a large plastic spider web
small toy spiders
a toy fly
translucent pipe builders

Most spiders at this center are very tiny so they fit in the pipe builders.

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Spider Web Sensory Bin

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Items in the bin:

black rice
black rotini noodles
black beans
plastic spiders
loose parts such as buttons, beads and hair ties
spider web made from rope

Toy tweezers would work well with this activity.

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The storybook “Just Itzy” is an engaging read that works wonderfully for the beginning of school, anytime in Fall, and on World Book Day.

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Hawaiian Party

March 3, 2019 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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Here’s a Hawaiian Party that works for all ages. We did it with a group of seniors, preschool children, and their parents. It was dreamed up because this school year our preschool classes were invited to visit a senior’s home to socialize with the residents. February was a great month to show some kindness, so we planned our visit then.

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Hawaiian Holiday Theme

Hawaiian Holiday was the theme of choice. Our city was in the middle of a cold-weather spell, so the thinking was “If we can’t be in Hawaii, (where we would ALL rather be), then let’s bring Hawaii to us.”

Our preschool brought food and activities for the visit.

As seniors, preschool children, and preschool parents entered the social room at the home, music from the CD “Golden Hits Of Hawaii” wafted through the air. (This is a favorite CD of Hawaiian music, and we’ve played it at school on some of our coldest days. The music lifts our spirits every time.)

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As everyone chose a spot to sit, they were invited to make a paper lei.

Paper Hawaiian lei party craft suitable for all ages.

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Next, our school group performed some action songs for seniors and parents. Songs from Dr. Jean Sing Along Read Along books and CDs were our choice. (Dr. Jean has many singing and learning activities available on her website and her YouTube Channel.)

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Hawaiian Party Food

Then refreshments were served. Hawaiian-themed paper plates were passed out.

Little muffins with parasols for decoration were offered.

Muffins decorated with parasols for a Hawaiian party snack.

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Each table got a palm tree scene fruit plate.

Palm tree scene made with fruit and coconut rolls for a Hawaiian party snack.

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Crispy coconut rolls were a last-minute find for the palm tree trunks.

A selection of cookies rounded out the snack options.

A cookie tray with rainbow, oatmeal, and chocolate chip cookies.

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Extra fruit was available to make sure everyone would have some.

Fruit tray with strawberries, blueberries, grapes and honeydew.

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Closing Activity

Our last activity was choosing a Hawaiian-themed picture to color. Scented markers were used for this. The seniors were proud to show us their finished work.

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As we were preparing to leave, many seniors showed appreciation for our visit. They said we brightened their morning, which is what we had hoped for! Preschool parents who helped supervise our activities were complimentary. A good time was had by all.

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Chinese New Year Sensory Bin

January 29, 2019 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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The Chinese New Year officially begins on Tuesday, February 5, 2019, and it will be the Year of the Pig. The pig is the 12th and last zodiac animal. Some ancient storied explanations are:

The pig was the last to arrive at an important meeting because he slept in.
A wolf destroyed the pig’s house so he had to rebuild it before he could get to the meeting.
The pig stopped to enjoy a feast while taking part in a race. He resumed the race but not surprisingly came in last.
Being pretty pudgy, the pig moved the slowest in the race.

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Fascinating Facts About Pigs

Although pigs often get associated with being smelly and dirty, they keep quite clean if they are in a temperature-controlled environment. They only roll around in dirt when they get hot, and this is because they cannot sweat.
As far as smarts go, pigs are considered to be one of the most intelligent animals in the world. As pets, they can figure out how to open a cupboard and can be trained to shake a hoof and rollover.

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Predictions For The Year Of The Pig

The Year of the Pig might just be a positive one for everyone! People born in the Pig Year are attributed with an agreeable personality, balanced lifestyle, hardworking nature, and enjoyment of life. These qualities are thought to have a positive influence on all people.

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Related:

Year Of The Rat Noodle Bin (Chinese New Year 2020)

Year Of The Ox Sensory Tray (Chinese New Year 2021)

Year Of The Tiger Chickpea Bin (Chinese New Year 2022)

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Local Celebrations

In recognition of Chinese New Year, this weekend there will be celebrations all over the city of Edmonton. Events will include lion and dragon dances, music, dancing, and cultural performances. There will be karaoke singing for seniors and crafts for children. West Edmonton Mall will host a talent show as part of their itinerary. The University of Alberta will hold a Lunar New Year Gala, so Asian students can celebrate the holiday and make new friendships while staying in Edmonton to further their studies.

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Chinese New Year Sensory Bin

Here’s a sensory bin to celebrate Chinese New Year 2019. The rice base is a neutral color, but colored yellow rice would work well too.

A Chinese New Year 2019 rice sensory bin.

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Items In The Sensory Bin:

brown rice
red bowls
red spoons
Asian themed tins
small red cups
chopsticks
gold coins (borrowed from my St. Patrick’s Day stash)
gold and red buttons
red and gold jewels
red garland pieces
gold stars
toy dragons
toy pigs

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Coffee Playdough Turkey

September 25, 2018 by Annette Kaminsky 2 Comments

Easy to make playdough turkey. Feathers, espresso beans, and a wiggly eye complete the bird.

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Use this aromatic coffee playdough recipe, or your favorite sensory dough to make a playdough turkey.

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Coffee Playdough Ingredients

1 ½ cup flour
½ cup salt
1 cup old coffee grounds
½ cup cold coffee

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Mix and knead all the ingredients in a large bowl. Add a little more flour if needed.

Store in the fridge until use. Take the dough out of the fridge to warm up if there is time.

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Making The Coffee Playdough Turkey

Have children use a large turkey-shaped cookie cutter to make a turkey shape. Set out feathers, espresso beans, and googly eyes for children to decorate their birds with.

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A freshly made turkey.

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A dried coffee playdough turkey ready to display.

A coffee playdough turkey that has dried and is ready to display.

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With this unique sensory experience, preschoolers are bound to have fun smelling and molding playdough turkeys and other creations of their choice.

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