Rosebud Environment: Curriculum Spotlight

Chidlren's Interests and Curriculum

Cooking

In the Rosebuds classroom we talk about taste, and explore the many different fruits and vegetables that are in season and the wats we can use them.  The Rosebuds have helped prepare zucchini salad, bake blackberry muffins, and make raspberry and lemon popsicles. Cooking activities allow children to explore their sense of smell, touch, and taste as well as using their different skills such as fine motor and language.

Gardening

The Rosebuds are always eager to help water, plant seeds, harvest, and pull weeds in our outdoor classroom.  We observer how the Rosebuds interests and curiosities lead them through the garden by picking and tasting their own plums, finding large stcks, and watching birds fly by.  The Rosebuds also visit the Children’s School Community Garden once a week where they are responsible for helping to feed the chickens and collect eggs.  Rosebuds may also experience the living systems through digging in the dirt, searching for creatures, watering the plants, and harvesting and tasting the veggies and fruits that are seasonal.

Painting

One of the Rosebuds favorite activities is discovering all the different materials and ways that they can use paint.  The Rosebuds have found that painting with toothbrushes, balls, and plastic animals to be a fun way notice a cause and effect relationship and how to make things happen.  We have noticed that the Rosebuds find many ways to paint with different mediums such as water and mud which allows them to investigate their sense of touch.

Home/School Connections

• Talk with your Rosebud about the ingredients that go into a meal.  Are the ingredients in-season?  Where do they come from?  What do they taste like?
• Provide your Rosebud with a small shovel to scoop dirt or spill in your yard.  Add a flower pot to fill and dump the soil or dirt.
• Provide your Rosebud with a house paintbrush and a cup of water to paint on the sidewalk.

Main Areas of Development: Early Learning Foundations/DROP

From the California Infant Toddler Learning Foundations

• Interactions with adults are a frequent and regular part of infants’ daily lives pg. 8.
• Children listen to the adult and participate while being read to by pointing, turning pages , or making one- or two-word comments.  Children actively notice print in the environment” pg 53.
• Children are able to hold small objects in one hand and some times use both hands together to manipulate objects. (18 mos.: Meisels and others 2003, 40)” pg. 98.