{Community Helpers} Preschool Unit...

I'm back with another preschool packet...this time we are focusing on Community Helpers!

This is a favorite quote from Mr. Rogers: "When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”  This is so fitting for the time that we are currently facing.

A community helper is a person who lives and works in our community. They serve us in various ways to keep us safe, and they improve the way we live in many ways.  Community helpers include doctors, nurses, police, construction workers, dentists, librarians, grocery store workers, teachers, mail carriers, fire fighters, bus drivers, farmers, and soldiers.  Can you think of any other people who help out in your community?

Discuss - Talk about these different jobs with your child. Your child can learn a lot from community helpers!  Ask questions like “What does he /she do?”  “Where does he/she work?”  “Who else works there?”

Talk about what your child wants to be when they grow up.

Bible Story – This week we are talking about Jesus as a helper.  The coloring page, story and bible verse is available for you to print.  There is also a carpenter chant you can do with your also!

Sing - This is a good way to get the kids up and moving.  Have them make up dance moves to the songs.  

The Wise Man Built His House

I Got a Job – by Ella Jenkins

Dress Up - Play dress up and act out community helpers’ jobs.

Mailbox Match – Create mailboxes using empty shoe boxes, cereal/snack boxes or even just paper. Place a shape or number on the “mailboxes”. Next get several envelopes, note cards or smaller pieces of paper and write the corresponding number or shape on the mail. Put the “mailboxes” around the room. Have your child “deliver the mail”, matching the mail with the corresponding mailbox.

image from Pocket of Preschool

Build a city - Use any kind of blocks or legos to build. Add emergency vehicles to your town and have imaginary play.

Play Dough Construction – Use Wooden craft sticks with play dough to construct houses and other buildings.

Block Game – Have your child roll a die and count out that amount of blocks from a pile. As they take the blocks from the pile, they stack them into a tower. Roll again with a new number, stack blocks and see which tower is taller.  (If you don’t have dice, just make simple number cards)

image from modern preschool

Count and Clip – Print these counting cards, cut apart and gather some clothespins.  Have your child count the vehicles and clip the clothespin on the number that matches.  We usually focus on 1-6 at school but if your child is ready feel free to print the higher numbers also!

Sorting Game – Which items go with which community helper?  Print the sorting board and pieces, have child cut apart the pieces.  Then they can sort them under which helper they go with.

Band aid project – Print the teddy bear picture.  Have your child color the teddy bear.  Then give your child a few band aids with instructions to place them on the bear’s ouchies.  Then have them tell you how the teddy bear got hurt. 

Make a stethoscope – Use supplies you can find around the house to make a stethoscope and then your child can play doctor!  Suggested supplies…chenille stems(pipe cleaners), paper, aluminum foil, milk/soda lids, string, ribbon, straws.

Community Helper Hunt – Search for the community helpers in the picture and color them when you find them.

911 activity – Write 911 in large numbers on a sheet of paper. Have kids crumple and glue little scraps of paper to cover the numbers.  Talk with your child about using the 911 line in an emergency.

Send some mail!  - Send a thank you card/picture to the local emergency workers or your child’s doctor office.  Draw pictures to drop off at the local nursing home.  Send a picture to a friend or family member.

recipe from Milk Allergy Mom

Snack idea - Tell the children that one important job in our community is that of Baker. Talk about some of the important and tasty foods a baker makes. Then enjoy some freshly-baked muffins that you make together!  You might even like to sing a song about the muffin man while you eat your treats!

Recess - Use sidewalk chalk to draw flames on the sidewalk and use a spray bottle or the hose to “put them out.”

If you are itching to get out of the house, go for a driving scavenger hunt.  Drive by and show your child the different places our community helpers work…Police Station, Fire Station, County Market, Post Office, Doctors Office/Clinic, School, Church/Preschool, Library, etc.

On a rainy day get some big muscle workout with an indoor obstacle course.  I saw one marked out with painters tape with spots to jump and spin, crawling under chairs, jumping to sofa cushions, and other fun things.  I’m sure you could google or Youtube ideas if you need more!

Books to Read/Listen to…

Clothesline Clues to Jobs People Do by Kathryn Heling and Deborah Hembrook

When I Grow Up by Al Yankovic

ABC’s of What I Can Be by Caitlin McDonagh

Search for books about your child’s favorite community helper.         

Video - The Berenstain Bears – Go to the Doctor 

I hope you find these ideas I've compiled helpful.  I'm just trying to help you fill your days with fun and learning!  Stay home and stay safe!

{SPRING} Preschool Unit...

I know these times are uncertain and quite overwhelming…especially with the kiddos being home ALL THE TIME!  I have put together a virtual preschool packet for my preschool kiddos.  These are things that we would have done in class, or something similar.  If you have preschoolers at home that need something to keep them busy feel free to learn along with us!

We are talking about SPRING this week!

Q-painting – Here is a google doc of a spring scene for your kiddos to paint.  Get out some q-tips and some paints and let your kiddos fill in the picture. 

Make a flower – There are so many different ways to create a flower.  Here is a great link with several different varieties depending on what supplies you have on hand.

Pretend play – Flower shop…If you have some silk flowers you don’t mind your child playing with, give them some and a jar/vase.  Let them arrange the flowers and then deliver them to you.  You could also pick up small sticks from the yard and let them add those to the arrangements. 

Grouchy ladybug – Cut a paper plate in half and have your child paint it red.  You could also draw a similar sized half circle on red paper and have them cut that out.  Then draw a smaller circle for the head on black paper.  Have them cut that out.  Use a round object (wine cork, bottle cap, sponge dauber, milk lid) to stamp black spots on red half circle.  Have your child use a white crayon to add a grouchy or happy mouth to the face, draw eyes or use google eyes if you have them.  Add legs if you wish.  Use the link as a guide.

Number recognition – Print the butterfly out and let your child find certain numbers.  You say find the 3 and they put a sticker on it or circle it with a marker.  Once they find all the 3’s, switch to another number until you have found them all.  If you can’t print the butterfly, just have them point to the numbers when it’s pulled up on your phone or computer.

Trace and count – Have your kids trace the lines from the caterpillar to the fruit.  Then have them name the fruit and count how many of each one there are.

Counting – If you still have fresh fruit at home, get it out and let your child sort it by type and count it.  If you have fruit cups or cans, they can count and sort those too!

Playdoh – roll the playdoh into caterpillars, worms, snakes, etc.  Usually if you show them how a few times they will catch on if they don’t already know how.  You can also give them a plastic knife and have them cut their caterpillars into pieces after they roll them.

Caterpillars – use pipe cleaners and pony beads.  Make a small loop at one end of the pipe cleaner to be the head.  Then let the kids string on beads to make a caterpillar.  Have them make a pattern.  Count the beads they add on. 

Sensory bin – Be creative here use what you have….my spring sensory box at school would contain:  dry black beans, plastic bugs, flowers (silk, beads, erasers, foam, cut from construction paper), spoons/scoops and mini flower pots (any kind of bowl or container will do) Check out more spring sensory bin ideas here.

Bible Story - This week we are talking about Zacchaeus from Luke 19:1-10.  I have created a google doc with the bible story, coloring page and a rhyme with hand motions you can do with your child.  I am also linking a video with a song you can play for your child, “Zacchaeus Was a Wee Little Man”

Memory verse – This is the day that the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24  Here is a song to sing that goes along with it!

Story time – If you have any of these stories or other spring related books, feel free to read them to your child.  If not, I’ve linked some videos with the stories being told.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

10 Magic Butterflies by Danica McKellar

The Grouchy Ladybug by Eric Carle

The Bad Seed by Jory John and Pete Oswald

Recess – Take a nature walk.  I like to wrap a piece of tape, sticky side out, loosely around the child’s wrist.  Then take a walk and find things to stick to your bracelet.  We’ve picked up blades of grass, clovers, tiny rocks, leaves, dandelions, flower petals, etc….whatever you can find!

Also, try out this fun outdoor scavenger hunt!

Feel free to pick and choose which activities you like or use them all!  I'd love to know if you found the items I gathered together helpful.  Best of luck to everyone taking on the new roll of teacher!

My first Stitch Fix...

I have been wanting to try Stitch Fix for a while but I am the kind of person that has to try on everything and likes to pick out my own things.  But I was still intrigued by the idea of having a stylist and letting someone else pick out clothes for me.  So when I was gifted a Stitch Fix credit I thought that was a perfect time to give it a try!

You go online and fill out a style survey with your sizes, likes/dislikes, items you may be looking for, etc.  Then you schedule how often you'd like to receive boxes.  Each box comes with 5 items for you to try on and review.  If you don't like any of the items you can return them in a prepaid envelope that comes in your box.  

There is a $20 styling fee you will pay if you don't keep any items.  If you choose one or more to keep, then the fee is waived.  If you sign up through my link we will both get a $25 credit when you check out with your first fix!  

I received some great pieces but sometimes it takes a few boxes for your stylist to learn your style and sizes better.  Take a peek at my items and what I ended up with...

My first item was a pair of jeans.  These are elastic waist skinny jeans by Liverpool.  They fit pretty good but not sure I love the elastic waist.  Plus they were a little long.  I usually need short or ankle length.  $78....Returned

I also received this blouse by Brina & Em called the Lemmy V-Neck.  The top was cute but a little snug.  When I'm teaching and moving around with my preschoolers I need something more comfortable.  $39...Returned

  

This next piece was my favorite right out of the box!  The elbow patches were super cute and a unique touch to the black and white stripe cardigan by Market & Spruce.  But it was little more than I wanted to pay, plus the sleeves were a bit snugger than I'd like.  $64...Returned

I also received a Daniel Rain scoop neck top (not pictured) in an eggplant color but the fit and style were not for me.  $58...Returned

This last one was a keeper!  The fabric was so soft and the perfect neutral.  It is a cowl neck brushed knit top by Cupio Blush.  I love that I can dress it up with jeans and flats or booties like the above photo.  But also pair it with leggings and sneaks for a more casual look below!  $44...Keep

I also threw on my black puffer vest and love this look even more!  This is a great piece with versatility and I'm happy to add it to my wardrobe!

Overall I enjoyed this experience with Stitch Fix!  I still love shopping for myself but think it's fun to get goodies hand picked for you and shipped right to your door!  The pieces are a little more than I like to pay, but if you want to treat yourself, want quality items and especially don't like shopping then I think you should definitely give Stitch Fix a try!

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

It's pumpkin season!!!  While technically you can make pumpkin dishes anytime of year, the fall is the perfect time for them!  I have a few favorites I'll be sharing with you over the next several weeks leading up to Thanksgiving.  I'd love to hear your favorites too...share with me in the comments!

We went to a pumpkin carving event at a local park yesterday.  They already have the pumpkins cleaned out and ready for you to carve.  The idea is for people to come and carve a pumpkin, leave it there, then come back the next weekend where they set them up in the park and have them lit!  It really is a fun time. 

Well, we had such a good time, we decided to come home and carve our own.  My daughter LOVED cleaning out the pumpkin and gave me the seeds to roast.  

So first fun treat....roasted pumpkin seeds. 

I started by putting the seeds in a colander and thoroughly rinsing them.  Use your hands to separate them while the water is running over them.  This helps loosen up any pumpkin guts still attached.  Then I spread them out on a baking sheet and let them dry out overnight. 

We decided to make ours sweet.  Here is the recipe we used...

1.5 cups fresh pumpkin seeds
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp brown sugar
1/4 tsp cinnamon
sea salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Toss seeds in a bowl with olive oil, brown sugar, cinnamon and a pinch or 2 of salt.  Spread out evenly onto a greased baking sheet. 

Bake for 15-20 minutes, stirring seeds halfway. 

Let seeds cool and then store in an airtight container.  Enjoy!

Now you have a cute, carved pumpkin and a yummy treat!