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The children were very interested in opening the big bin of farm animals and doing some pretend play with the figures this morning, so we broke them out early. We played out several scenarios.
The big, strong-looking bull was, as usual, put in the role of someone with a short temper, and we talked about different ways the bull could calm down when he gets angry. We decided the bull could go for a walk, count to ten, or say "I don't like what you're doing to me" instead of less desireable behaviors.
We worked on our "March Wind" song after calendar and weather. We worked on If You're Happy and You Know It and Row, Row, Row Your Boat, too. We have a fun partner dance for Row, Row, Row Your Boat and the kids are always giggling as they dance.
We followed up music time with a fun wind-themed activity. We practiced blowing through straws, then fitted little paper caps over the ends of the straws. We had a contest to see who could blow their papers the greatest distance. I have to admit, toddlers have a lot of "hot air!"
Later in the morning we went outside and had lots of fun playing with balls of all sorts. The littles loved chasing after a small purple ball while the big kids kicked a soccer ball and threw a green football. The big kids worked on their catching skills.
I broke down the catching movement for them and they did fairly well grabbing hold of the football. We had mixed success with the soccer ball since one of the big kids just couldn't resist throwing it instead of kicking it... But either way, it was a fun way to develop gross motor skills! After we finished playing with the balls, the big kids found some dried stems they enjoyed waving around and poking things with.
I laid down some rules for playing with sticks and the children were very respectful with the sticks and had a good time using them.
In the afternoon we enjoyed reading several wind-themed poems and nursery rhymes such as The Playful Wind and Rockabye Baby. Here's our favorite:
The North Wind Doth Blow
The north wind doth blow, And we shall have snow, And what will poor robin do then? Poor thing. He'll sit in a barn, And keep himself warm, And hide his head under his wing, Poor thing.
See you tomorrow!