Snow Much Fun

Winter was a wonderful time at SMART START! Our young learners engaged in a variety of hands-on seasonal studies. 

Read about SNOW MUCH FUN at SMART START below ❄️

Cold mornings are perfect for a pajama day!  Friends fashioned their cozy sleepwear and brought delicious cookies to swap with the each other. Hot cocoa was also enjoyed. 

Pajama Day & Cookie Swap Video

Pretend play snowballs were incorporated into a math and letter identification lesson. Basic arithmetic problems were solved using flash cards and adding/subtracting snowballs. Peers also played bingo by placing the snowballs on lower case letters that were called. 

SMART START Scientists geared up in lab coats and safety goggles for an exciting experiment. Using a plastic jar, baby oil, white paint, seltzer tablets and glitter, classmates created their very own snowstorm! 

SNOW STORM IN A JAR Video

Classroom chefs made their own snack-

A snowman bagel! 

Playing in the snow is a classic childhood  activity. In addition to frolicking freely in the outdoor classroom, students challenged their gross motor skills shoveling a walkway to their play structure and pushing each other on sleds. 

Outdoor storytime is always a class favorite. The book, “The Cozy” by Jan Brett was read. A fun and entertaining tale that teaches about animals, friendship and kindness. 

The class was most excited to bring in a special item for “Snow & Tell” at school. 

Fine motor and scissor skills were enhanced while completing winter worksheets. 

Colorful snowflakes were created using do-a-dot bonkers and doilies. 

Magna-tiles are a class favorite. An acrtic themed set was added to our collection. 

Animals habitats were constructed using recycled materials and wild imaginations. Cardboard turned into dirt, styrofoam into snow, cups into tunnels and so much more! 

Animal Habitat Video

Groundhog Day was celebrated to conclude our winter activities. Students used flashlights, stick puppets and their own hands to make shadows on their white board. Peers also pondered over books about the holiday’s history. 

On February 2nd, a few classmates engaged in a reenactment of the annual prediction in Pennsylvania. All were pleased to announce that groundhog, Phil did not see his shadow-spring is coming! 

Groundhog Day Pretend Play

Thank you for reading! 

☃️SMART START☃️

SNOW STORM IN A JAR Video

Health, Wellness & Safety

This winter, our young learners have been learning all about health, wellness and safety through play based lessons. 

This unit began with a pretend play activity. The class put on nurse attire and created a “Hospital.” Each student had their own patient to care for using a variety of medical instruments: stethoscopes, thermometers, tweezers, needles etc. We discussed numerous scenarios that may lead to a hospital visit such as being sick, injured or  for an appointment. 

The group circled outside for a story time about the human body. The importance of proper nutrition, exercise and sleep as well as the concept of germs were explained. A human body costume was worn to guide a discussion on organs and their functions. 

SMART START Medical staff decorated fabric masks using puff paint, markers and fun shapes. 

A nurse from Massachusetts General Hospital came to school. Classmates were very excited for this interactive presentation. The nurse instructed on how to not spread germs and certain symptoms that tell you when to visit the doctors. In addition, she brought multiple tools and demonstrated how to use them. Everyone enthusiastically listened to each other’s heartbeats using a real stethoscope! As their weekly homework assignment, students colored pages in  themed packets the nurse brought for each child. 

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month. In honor of this event, our curriculum was largely focused on oral hygiene. Students put on scrubs and dramatic played as dentists. An assortment of themed materials were utilized as peers practiced brushing, flossing, counting teeth, taking x-rays and more. 

Important tips and terminology were shared to the class while they played. 

Here is some information learned:

🦷healthy foods (fruits, vegetables, protein) keep teeth clean and strong

🦷sugary foods (candy, juice, desserts) can cause cavities (a hole in the tooth)

🦷plaque (sticky germs on teeth) can cause cavities

🦷brushing teeth 2-3 times each day prevents plaque and cavities

🦷baby teeth start to get wiggly and fall out around age 5/6

🦷visiting the dentist regularly is very important for your health

A read aloud of, “Tooty the Tenderhearted Tooth” was completed to reinforce these topics. This book is a fun tale about a tooth who shares the dos and don’ts of tooth care and encourages children to visit the dentist without fear. 

A pediatric nurse provided a health and safety zoom session. She shared her expertise on a vast amount of topics. In addition to children’s dental health, a few areas highlighted were car seat safety, emergency preparedness and water/pool protocols. Our young learners listened intently and eagerly absorbed all of the  knowledge shared. This zoom was an excellent resource for our classroom. It connected us with a community hero to enhance our curriculum while also teaching students about technology.  

This nurse was one of Ms. Mary’s (SMART START’s director) students from her first daycare 30 years ago! 

Thank you for reading about our play based health and safety unit! 

Curriculum Linked Here

🧑‍⚕️SMART START🪥

Holiday Happenings 2023

Throughout December, SMART START’S classrooms were filled with the Christmas spirit! 

Read all about our holiday happenings below!

Classmates created their annual “Countdown to Christmas” calendars- Ho Ho Ho! Afterwards, a felt tree was “trimmed” using an assortment of supplies. 

Santa Face Plates Linked Here 

Countdown Numbers Linked Here 

Festive friends helped to “deck the outdoor classroom halls” using ribbon, wreaths, bows and ornaments. Jingle all the way! 

“Holiday Pajama Day” was so cozy and fun! Peers showcased their favorite, festive pjs and enjoyed some hot cocoa. A photo frame inspired by the staple story, “Twas the Night Before Christmas” was made. 

Photo Frames Linked Here

Laminating Photo Pouches Linked Here 

All were very merry and bright while decorating gingerbread houses! This classic activity was a delicious treat. 

Aprons Linked Here 

View Gingerbread Decorating Video Here 

Handprints, fingerprints, paint and poster board were used to fashion a beautiful holly berry wreath. 

View Wreath Video Here

SMART START Elves were very busy in their  workshop sanding, dusting, polishing and glistening. Holly jolly enthusiasm filled the air while the little elves worked on wood masterpieces. 

Backdrop Linked Here 

Wooden Axes Linked Here 

Watch Elf Workshop Video Here 

Students constructed some timeless Christmas décor: paper chains, cranberries & popcorn and pomanders. Tis the season! 

Christmas cheer was spread to the class Guinea Pigs, Kenne & Porter. These two critters absolutely adore their preschool caretakers!

Reindeer Antlers Linked Here 

Class cat Simon was also gifted some snuggles while Santa stories were enjoyed.

Imaginations and playdoh were used for  “cooking” christmas cookies. 

The infamous “Mr. Grinch” from Dr. Seuss’, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” was appreciated through themed magnatiles. We discussed the main idea of the story and various ways we can fill others with holiday spirit.

Grinch Tiles Linked Here 

Mrs. Claus visiting our school is a favorite tradition! The class was most enchanted with her magical presentation. She engaged the children in classic carols and musical activities. In addition, all mailed a special letter to Santa Claus. 

Mrs. Claus Presentation Linked Here

Peers were delighted to participate in a classroom gift exchange. All selected a surprise present from a friend to unwrap together. Oh what fun! 

Video Linked Here 

Plaid Santa Hats Linked Here 

A Christmas Eve poem was performed in anticipation of Santa’s arrival!

Video Linked Here 

The song, “We Wish You A Merry Christmas” was gleefully sung by the group.

Video Linked Here 

Thank you for reading our holiday happenings at SMART START! 

Sharing in these magical experiences with our young learners brings us so much joy! 

🎄SMART START🎄