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Early Education Program - At-Home Learning

Week 2

Simple Snowflakes

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If your child is still learning to control scissors, try making these snowflakes instead of the fold and cut method. 

1. Draw lines across a sheet of paper.

2. Have your child cut along the lines as best they can. Remind them to keep their thumb up (rather than to the side). You can help them hand-over-hand if needed. 

3. Glue strips into a snowflake shape on another piece of paper (ideally a different colour). You can add shorter pieces of paper to add details if you want. Decorate with markers, glitter, or whatever you have around. 

Story Walk at the Nature Centre

Look for something to do outside this week? Try a Storywalk! 

"Over and Under the Snow" by Kate Messner will be on the trails at the Nature Centre in the river-bottom from December 16 - January 25.  Follow the trail to get from one page of the story to the next.  Begins north of the Nature Centre on Nature Quest Trail. 

If you like, read or listen to the book ahead of time at the following link: 

Over and Under the Snow

From the author's website: "Over the snow, the world is hushed and white. But under the snow exists a secret kingdom of squirrels and snow hares, bears and bullfrogs, and many other animals that live through the winter safe and warm, awake and busy, under the snow. Discover the wonder and activity that lies beneath winter’s snowy landscape in this magical book."

 

 

Sparkly Salt Science

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Here's a fun experiment for your little scientist- making Sparkly Salt Crystal snowflakes! Please note, you will have to practice being patient for this one, the crystals will take a day or two to form. 

You'll need: 

  • Table Salt (lots!)
  • Water
  • Measuring cups and spoon
  • Paper & scissors
  • Tray or dish
  • Paper Towels

1. Cut a snowflake out of paper- it doesn't have to be perfect!  This might be a better job for a parent if your child has trouble cutting through the layers of  folded paper. 

2. Make the salt solution: Start with a cup of hot water (very warm tap water is fine.) Tablespoon by tablespoon, add salt until it won't dissolve into the water anymore. The hotter the water, the more salt you will be able to add. The goal is to add as much salt as the water will hold to make a saturated solution.

3. Place snowflake into the dish, and pour on enough salty water until it just covers the snowflake. Then leave the tray in a safe place for a few days while the water evaporates. The salt crystals will stay on the paper and make it look nice and sparkly. 

Photo from littlebinsforlittlehands.com

The Mitten

Read along with one of our favourite books by Jan Brett The Mitten

 

Cut out the pieces in the attachment below. As you read through 'The Mitten' have your child find each character as they enter the story. After reading the story have your child recall the order the animals came in (there are a lot so feel free to reread the story). 

Mitten Sequence

Have your child sequence with you throughout the day. What steps are needed to get ready for bed? To take a bath? To make a sandwich. Thinking about these steps creates 'a movie' in your mind. This is important for your child to be able to follow through on a plan. 

Mitten Sort

Print out the activity above. Have your child sort the animals into their habitat. Don't have a printer? Find animals around the house and have your child sort them into habitats. 

Work on flexible thinking, how else can you sort these animals? Number or legs, colour, size etc. 

 

 

 

Shapes!

There are shapes all around us! Watch the video below to watch these kids explore their world for shapes.

Shapes All Around Us

 

Can you find shapes around you? Look at the page below to see shapes in food you eat! 

Can you find these shapes?

 

Print the page below. Help your child colour in the different shapes, a great opportunity to talk about shapes and colours! 

Shape Colour

Snowman Snack

Create a snowman snack with food you have in the house!

This can be a great planning activity, talk with your child about what you could use, what parts do you need? After you decide on your idea print the picture or draw out your plan, can your child recreate the snowman. 

See the attachment below for some ideas. 

Snowman Snack

 

Ideas from: https://fun-a-day.com/5-snowman-snack-ideas-kids/

 

Get Moving!

Get moving to this catchy tune! Some great action words to practice: slide, roll, clap, bounce! 

Snowman Dance

 

Make a 'Snowman' while you dance! Don't forget to freeze! 

Snowman Freeze

Mitten Challange

https://teachingmama.org/christmas-pictures-duplo

"Mittens may keep our hands warm but when you try to actually use your hands with mittens on, it can be quite challenging. The children were up to the challenge of seeing if they could play like they normally would do only this time, they had to wear a pair of mittens. Just by saying that this is a Mitten Challenge, the kids were all in. Everyone loves a good challenge."

 

Are you up for a mitten challenge?  Click here to check out the post!

 

My Week at School

Activities and ideas for Early Education At-Home learners.

Music & Movement

Songs and other music activities with Mr Andrew Ichikawa.

Parent Corner

A place for parents to connect and learn. Updated regularly, please check for new content!

Brain Games

Building Brains Together - Highlighted Curriculum Games with Tips for Parents

Early Education Program - At-Home Learning

Contact

433 15 Street South
Lethbridge, AB T1J 2Z4