We are having a great summer at the Center! Everyone has been working hard, talking, learning, and having a great time playing with friends.
Our Garden Patch Preschool has been very busy as well… themes like Pirates, Carnival, and Jungle have made for a joyous summer.
All of the children have been enjoying classes with Tom Weber, the Center’s long time visiting music teacher. The little ballerinas of the Center have been dancing along with Kathy every Wednesday afternoon, and the big kids of the Center preschool (who have mastered the English language) are learning Spanish in an afternoon “Spanish Circle” with Vicky!
While it may appear to be just fun and games, each preschool activity is actually a carefully crafted “Natural Environment Teaching” (NET) lesson plan. During time included in the preschool, our Center clients are learning new tacts (labels), practicing intraverbal (conversation) skills, and manding (requesting) for favorite items and activities from teachers and peers. Additionally, the group learning environment provides opportunities to work on observational learning, generalizing skills taught in intensive 1:1 sessions, participating in games (“tag” has been popular on the playground this summer!), turn taking, following group directions, joining in play, initiating play, and many basic school routines such as sitting for circle time, lining up with the class, taking care of classroom materials, and much more.
“Pirate Week” included pirate-themed art projects, pirate stories, pirate pretend play, and “Swabbing the Decks” (aka Water Play!)
The kids spent “Carnival Week” preparing for the first ever “Center Carnival” which included a bounce house, our “roller coaster” (borrowed from the sensory-motor room) “tea cups” (sit & spins), face painting, a fishing game, sand art, a fun house, and lots of other fun for sensory seekers of all ages! Each child was giving a pouch of tickets that could be exchanged for games, rides, and even treats at our “concession stand”.
A view of the bounce house and roller coaster
Sand Art
A satisfied bounce-house customer
The roller coaster looks small, but the thrills are big!
Buddies
This carnival patron used her tickets wisely, even saving a few for next year.
Face painting
A few more scenes from the summer:
Our see-saw thankfully accommodates 3 friends. (Although at times we have seen four squeeze on!).
Someone got a big girl haircut
Peek-a-boo
Special thanks to Tanya, Vicky, and the entire preschool staff (Alicia, Shelia, and Casey) for their creativity, fun loving spirit, and all the extra hard work, planning, and effort that has made for a spectacular summer.
