A Bright and Joyful First Week Back in Early Preschool!

Samrawit
2 hours ago
4 min read

Happy Birthday Saramaria and Liora

Dear Parents,

We hope this blog finds you well. Here in our Early Preschool class, we’ve had a wonderful week filled with fun, learning, and joyful moments in our classroom. The children explored, created, and shared many exciting experiences together. We are so proud of their curiosity and growth. We invite you to enjoy reading this week’s blog and see the beautiful moments your little ones enjoyed with us. This is a friendly reminder that Monday (January 19, 2026) school will be closed for the Timket holiday. Happy Timket to those who celebrate! We look forward to seeing everyone back on Tuesday.

Large Group

Our large group time was filled with positive energy. We began by greeting each other and asking the children what they did in the morning. Many of them communicated confidently, sharing responses such as “wash face” and “drink milk,” which showed their growing language skills.

Next, we sang our cheerful “Good Morning” song together, filling the room with smiles and excitement. We then took attendance and discussed the weather. One student was chosen to place the correct weather picture on the board, which made them feel proud and involved. This routine helped the children build confidence, communication skills, and a sense of belonging in the group.

Science

Our science session was all about making blue play dough. We prepared all the materials needed, such as flour, oil, blue food coloring, art smocks, and tables. Before we started, we asked the students to sit on the mat and showed them the materials. We asked them to name what they saw, and most of them were able to recognize the items. We also invited them to guess the color of the food coloring, and it amazed us that many of them guessed “blue” even before we opened it.

After that, the children put on their art smocks and stood around the tables. We first gave them flour and water and let them mix. This activity was wonderful for developing their fine motor skills, hand strength, and coordination. They enjoyed squeezing, stirring, and feeling the texture change in their hands.

Next, we added oil and the blue food color. The children became even more excited as they watched the dough slowly change color. They shared their excitement with us and with each other, proudly showing their blue play dough. This activity encouraged curiosity, sensory exploration, cooperation, and creativity while helping them understand simple science concepts like color mixing and cause and effect.

Literacy

Our literacy session focused on journal time. Each student was given one sheet of paper and crayons, and they were invited to draw whatever they wanted. This open-ended activity encouraged the children to use their imagination and express their own ideas freely. The classroom became calm and focused as each child worked on their drawing in their own way.

As the children drew, we sat with them, observed their work, and offered gentle encouragement. When they finished, we asked each child to tell us about their picture. Most of them were able to give a name and meaning to their drawings, showing confidence in sharing their thoughts. Lutanda said, “this is a bed and Lubono,” while Abigail proudly shared, “flower”. Each response was unique and meaningful, reflecting how the children connect their drawings to real-life experiences and ideas.

This session supported many important areas of development. Using crayons helped strengthen fine motor skills and hand control, which are essential for future writing. Talking about their drawings encouraged communication and language development, helping the children learn to express their thoughts in words.

Most importantly, journal time gave the children a voice. It allowed them to tell their own stories, build confidence, and begin understanding that their ideas are valuable. This activity nurtures a love for early literacy, creativity, and self-expression in a warm and supportive environment.

Art

Our art session was focused on stamping shapes with blue paint. We began the session by leaving our classroom and sitting together on the mat, creating a calm and exciting atmosphere for learning. We then prepared the tables with blue paint and different shapes for the children to explore.

Before starting the activity, we engaged the children by asking them about the colors of the shapes and the names of each shape. Most of them were eager to respond and proudly shared their answers, showing their growing confidence and understanding. This short discussion helped build their thinking and language skills while preparing them for the activity.

The children then worked in pairs and took turns. Each child wore an art smock, practicing independence and responsibility before beginning their work. One by one, they dipped the shapes into the blue paint and stamped them onto their paper. They enjoyed seeing the prints appear and were excited to try different shapes and patterns.

This session supported the development of fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. It also helped reinforce knowledge of shapes and colors, encouraged patience through turn-taking, and built social skills by working with a partner.

Library

Our library session was wonderful and engaging. The students enjoyed reading together, which made the experience even more interesting and meaningful. Each child chose a book by themselves, giving them the opportunity to explore their own interests and practice making choices.

As they looked through the books, they shared ideas with their friends by talking about the pictures they saw. Many students pointed at images, described characters, and tried to tell stories in their own words. This helped build their language skills, imagination, and confidence in expressing themselves.

The children showed great excitement and focus during this time. The session encouraged a love for books, improved social interaction, and supported early literacy skills such as observation, communication, and storytelling. It was a joyful moment of learning and discovery for everyone.