Play+Kids+Risk=Playwork | Janice O'Donnell

Click the link to watch this great TED talk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XZfo0sFxYE

The 'proper' way......

We set out paintbrushes, water, giant sheets of paper, and watercolor blocks. This lil sweetheart was using her (age appropriate) skills to manipulate the slippery blocks in and out of the spaces where they fit. I could have panicked and showed her how to use them 'properly'; I chose to sit back and watch her inquisitive mind explore. She was working hard. :)

Mural

The kids are making a mural today....we actually do this a lot. They love working together and getting ideas from each other as to what to draw and paint. The kids draw their own pictures to paint :) I love sharpies!! And watercolor.....

Around the room.....

Most the time, hanging out on the table is not encouraged.....but lil Hailey sat up here for a good 40 minutes playing with blocks. She was so content that we didn't bother her. As soon as she spotted me it was as if she was saying, haha....look at me!!! Jake is working on writing and making valentine buddies :)

TT and Alex are strengthening their hand muscles, eye hand coordination, and matching :)

Around the room....

I love watching the younger kids learning from the older. Silas pays close attention to what TT is doing.....and in the lower picture Connor is measuring and counting. Even Hailey, who is 15 mo. Sits and observes :) I love out group of kiddos !!!

Color Bugs

Matching color bugs to the correct color tape strips......the older kids were making long patterns. 

Old school adding machine....

We have this very cool, old school adding machine. The kids love pressing all the numbers and clearing it. Evan added a step stool and hat to contribute to the coolness :) 

Chair on wheels

Nate never ceases to amaze me. He thought of a way to make the chair move easier! Well done Nate!!!

Happy Birthday!!!!

'Projects'

The boys LOVE 'projects'. They ask everyday..."what project are we doing today?" Sometimes I put specific things out, like the paint chips, but mostly I say, "what would you like to do?" Lately they want to cut!!! .... And tape. They love tape :)

Paint chip cutting.....

I saw the idea of cutting paint chips and had to head to Home Depot! The kids really liked it and are now asking for different colors....Home Depot is on the list for this weekend....I might have to hit a few stores!

It's been awhile!.....

It's been awhile since I have posted. A lot has been going on. Finally calm, so hopefully I'll post more :)

We brought the airplane down from blueberry....they love it!

Using some good skills to climb over the the wall on the climber.

So sweet E!! Waiting to go down the slide.

You did it!! It's quite an accomplishment!!

Pumpkin patch....

We went to the pumpkin patch on Saturday....and the kids are creating their version :)

Cooking and jumping.....

The big kids are cooking.....

The little ones are jumping

And balancing

Cooking and jumping.....

The big kids are cooking.....

The little ones are jumping

And balancing

Outside play.....such a beautiful fall day!!!

Our new boat is a hot spot!!Bells in the trees!!

Bells on the deck!!......come on boys!!!!

Climbing the stairs with a buddy 💜

Hey......you lookin at me??

Back to School......

Today we start our back to school theme......One of the books I start with is 'if you take a mouse to school'....which is why we have mice around :) Elsie is matching up the mice and counting.

We later started out making school buses. We started with a yellow rectangle and some black circles and squares. The kids took the project from there. I like to offer glue and tape. The kids love tape! Nathan made a school bus...then wanted to make a city bus, which he is doing here....and then he made a helicopter with the blades and all! Love it!!                          

Connor is enjoying cutting! He loves to cut. He had an idea using all squares. If you notice he added his two wheels to the bottom of the blue paper. Awesome work!!

Elsie was very into glueing....Love it Else!!!

Story boarding camping

Nate is very interested in camping. So we did story boarding today to get ready for next week. I put 'camping' in the middle and asked what they thought about camping. i also asked if there was anything they wanted to learn about camping. I prompted nothing else. Here is their board. We will visit it over the next few weeks to add things if they want.