Why Blocks?

Block play has long been recognized as an essential feature of developmentally appropriate programs for young children. The materials are open-ended, allowing a multitude of possibilities. The play is not prescriptive, allowing children to imagine, discover, and create. Block play provides opportunities for children to function at many different levels, and promotes cognitive, physical, and affective development.

As children build, they have opportunities to:

• discover the physical properties of materials (size, shape, weight, colour)

• plan what to do

• design and create as they explore pattern and balance

• learn problem-solving strategies

• develop spatial concepts (by building vertically/horizontally; beginning to enclose and define space, learning about interior/exterior, near/far; viewing objects from different perspectives)

• investigate relationships (through sorting, comparing, organizing, sequencing, categorizing, and drawing conclusions)

• explore mathematical concepts (length, area and volume, number)

• use mathematical vocabulary (higher, more than, heavy)

• engage in a process of inquiry (observe, compare, classify, test out their ideas, interpret, and predict what will happen)

• engage in dramatic play (take on roles and negotiate theme and direction)

• develop visual discrimination (as they choose pieces to fit and match with other pieces)

• develop gross- and fine-motor skills (as they lift, carry, and stack different sizes of blocks)

• develop hand–eye coordination (as they stack and connect pieces)

As children build and interact with others in the Block/Building Centre, they use language to:

• ask and answer questions

• share and negotiate

• role-play

• retell

• label and describe

• explain

The ideas in this post come from the following book:

Toronto District School Board. (2006). Blocks and Construction Materials in the Kindergarten Program.

Terry Fox Run

It's a Small World

We're learning the song 'It's a Small World" - ask your child to sing it to you at home. I've copied the lyrics below.

It's a Small World

It's a world of laughter, a world of tears
it's a world of hopes, and a world of fears
there's so much that we share
then it's time we're aware
its a small world after all

CHORUS:
it's a small world after all
it's a small world after all
it's a small world after all
it's a small small world

There is just one moon and one golden sun
And a smile means friendship to everyone.
Though the mountains divide
And the oceans are wide
It's a small small world

(chorus)

Websites For Kids

Websites For Kids

Here are two great websites to visit with your son or daughter. Learn360 is for streaming video. There are lots of great titles including "Franklin", "Rolie Polie Olie" and "George Shrinks".

http://www.learn360.com/index.aspx?site=canada

BookFlix is for reading books online. There are loads of great titles such as "Bear Snores On" and "Rosie's Walk". Each fiction title is paired with a non fiction book. There is also an educational game associated with each book.

http://auth.grolier.com/login/bookflix/login.php

It is necessary to log in to both of these websites with a password. All the Kindergarten children took home a bookmark from the library which had the passwords written on the back. If you have misplaced your book mark please ask your child's teacher to provide you with the passwords.

Welcome!

Ever wonder what is happening in Mr. Mack & Ms Pinto's class? Well, wonder no more! Welcome to our blog where the answers to some of your questions may be only a simple mouse click away. Here you will be able to check in and see what we are up to. If you need to know what day we are on or if we have gym, music or swimming just click on our calendar and the information will be there. Important dates and upcoming events will also be included on the calendar.

We will also post fun stuff! Like your child's art work and projects we are working on or a special interest that we are currently exploring.  At times, we may post the words to songs and simple finger plays so the you too can sing along at home.

From time to time we will include some housekeeping information such as asking your child to be mindful of the weather and to dress accordingly.

Check in occasionally and see us grow!