A Week Of Exploration and Curiosity In Early Pre-k!

Zelamem and Danait
3 hours ago
4 min read

Dear parents,

We hope you had a lovely week. In our Early Pre-K classroom, the children enjoyed another engaging week filled with exploration, creativity, and hands-on learning. Each activity was carefully planned to support early mathematics, cognitive development, social interaction, and their natural sense of curiosity. We are happy to share some of the week’s highlights with you. 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.

Happy Birthday Moti

Large Group

Our large group sessions were lively and centered on meaningful review. The children talked about how they spent their break and enthusiastically shared their experiences with the class. We were delighted to see their growing confidence and ability to express their thoughts and ideas clearly.

We also explored the 3D shape cone through hands-on activities and by using objects from the classroom. The children described the shape, compared different sizes, and searched for real-life examples around the compound. It was exciting to watch them quickly connect everyday objects to the cone shape.

Another highlight was extending number recognition up to 20. The children eagerly identified numbers and enjoyed sharing them with their friends during circle time. This activity strengthened their number awareness while also encouraging teamwork, communication, and observation skills.

Math

During our this week’s math session, the children explored the concept of measurement by identifying objects as heavy or light using different materials found in the classroom. The lesson began with observation and prediction, where children looked at items such as books, pencils, paper, blocks, and water bottles and shared their thoughts on which objects might be heavier or lighter. They then picked objects and hold them in their hands, learning that heavy objects are harder to lift while light objects are easier to carry. Through these hands-on activities, children naturally began using measurement vocabulary such as heavy, and light making the learning experience meaningful and enjoyable.

As the session continued, the children actively participated, shared ideas with their classmates, and worked together to sort objects into heavy and light categories. By the end of the lesson, they demonstrated a clear understanding of the concept and showed increased confidence in explaining their thinking.

Science

During our this week’s science session, the children were introduced to some common wild animals in a fun and interactive way. Animals such as the lion, tiger, giraffe, zebra, monkey, and hippo were discussed using animal toys, and open conversations. The children shared what they already knew, learned about where these animals live, what they eat, and the sounds they make, and enjoyed imitating their movements and voices. This approach helped them clearly understand the difference between wild animals and farm animals while keeping the session lively and engaging.

The session also emphasized an important value: wild animals belong in their natural habitats and should be respected and protected. Through simple explanations and guided questions, the children began to understand why these animals cannot be kept at home. Overall, the session encouraged curiosity, confidence, and early environmental awareness, making it a meaningful and enjoyable learning experience for the children.

Ethiopian Center

This week at the Ethiopian Center, our children enjoyed a special hands-on session where they explored Ethiopian culture by making “injera”, our traditional bread. The activity began with a short discussion about what injera is, the importance of the flour. The children eagerly shared their own experiences from home and listened with curiosity as they learned how this everyday food is prepared. With guidance, they observed and participated in the process, watching the batter transform as it cooked and discovering the patience and care involved in making injera.

Beyond learning how injera is made, the session supported the children’s social and developmental growth. They practiced teamwork, followed instructions, waited their turn, and showed respect for cultural traditions passed down through generations. The joy and pride on their faces reflected how meaningful it was to see their heritage celebrated in a learning environment. This session was not only about cooking, but about building cultural identity, confidence, and lasting memories that the children were excited to share.

Art

This week’s art session was a joyful extension of our science lesson on wild animals. The children created beautiful wild animal collages by carefully cutting out animal pictures using scissors and pasting them with glue onto their artwork sheets after they colored their favorite wild animals. This hands-on activity helped strengthen their fine motor skills, especially hand–eye coordination and scissor control, while also encouraging focus and patience. The classroom was filled with excitement as the children proudly identified lions, tigers, giraffes, and other wild animals they had learned about, connecting their creativity with their scientific understanding.

This integration of art and science supported deeper understanding and boosted confidence as children expressed their knowledge through creativity. We are proud of their enthusiasm and effort.