Tadpoles

  We have two new friends at SMART START, Lucy and Luke. They are tadpoles that live in a clear plastic tank with a removable ventilated cover.  The children are very excited about the new editions and are eager to learn about the life cycle of a frog.  The frog metamorphosis may take up to 12 weeks so we will periodically update during the different stages.  SMART START friends are learning about the frog cycle which has four stages: egg, tadpole, froglet, and frog.  

                                                                               
     During the tadpole stage the children are learning how to help care for the tadpoles in their habitat.  They help feed Lucy and Luke and maintain a clean and safe tank. The children find great joy and feel a sense of accomplishment when they assist with Lucy and Luke. We have been integrating some fun activities into our unit on frogs. The children have enjoyed playing a frog game and practicing their number recognition by using a counting chart with frogs. They are making a lot of progress with their counting and it is so rewarding to the older children encouraging our younger learners and attempting to teach them. Here at SMART START acting like frogs is a must. The children were eager to put their hopping abilities to the test and hop, hop, hop just like the frogs. We witnessed a variety of frog hops- big hops, little hops, long hops, short hops, silly hops, fast hops, and slow hops.

     During art & crafts the children worked on a frog project. SMART START friends painted a portion of an egg carton to represent a tadpole and used circle tissue paper to represent the eggs. Once Lucy and Luke become froglets, the children will add legs to their tadpole craft. The children also decorated a frog. They used a party blower for a frog tongue. Of course the children enjoyed blowing the party blowers and being silly together- giggles galore! The children created their masterpieces using crayons, markers, glue, paint, sparkles, bonkers, and google eyes. Each project is unique and that's what makes them extra special! The children had a lot of fun getting messy and using their imaginations. We love to sit back as educators and watch their young minds at work!

Busy little hands working on their frog projects

Cody, Nora, and Kaylee are having fun testing out their frog tongues

     Be sure to ask your child about Lucy and Luke at home!  We can only imagine how excited your children will be filling you in on what they have learned so far!

Curious minds observing Lucy and Luke!

Michael and Avery are all smiles watching Lucy and Luke!

Cody and Mickey-Frog hopping fun

Counting frogs

Cody amazed when Luke swam over to him

Nora and Theo watching Lucy have her snack

Here's a cute song you can sing at home with your child...

💙 Mary and Francesca 💙