Early Childhood Education and Child Care

Sunday, January 6, 2013

Dinosaurs
In the early years many children are fascinated by dinosaurs. These creatures offer many opportunities for learning.
Language - There is an amazing amount of opportunity for language development as children wrap their tongues around those long and complicated dinosaur names. Many publishers have published quality books about dinosaurs that can be added to your books corner to enhance literacy.
Art - Use a large model dinosaur at the art table to enable children to draw the dinosaur. The model will low them to see all aspects of the dinosaur giving a 3D perspective.
History - Help the children make a timeline of when the dinosaurs walked on the earth. Math and history can be covered in this experience.
Health and Science - Research the habitats and food sources of the dinosaurs. children can build these habitats in the room. Compare the food we eat with that of dinosaurs. What is healthy food for dinosaurs? What is healthy food for humans?
These are just a few ideas. How are you using dinosaurs in the curriculum?

I love this article and the amazing photos at Happy Hooligans

http://happyhooligans.ca/2012/06/07/dinosaur-activity-bin/

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Educational Activities

Contact Collage

Collage is always a fun activity for young children. It allows children to explore a variety of materials and create a design of their own. With young children you often end up with just one or two pieces of collage material glued to the page. While there is nothing wrong with this, many adults find it difficult not to make the child stay to complete the product or complete the collage for the child. Neither of these approaches is of benefit to the young child. The focus should be on the process of collage not the end product.

One way to achieve this is by using contact. A large sheet of contact can be placed on the tabletop and attached to the underside of the table edges to stop movement. Provide a range of collage materials including natural items. The children can add the collage materials throughout
the session. Many children will spend time sticking items to the contact and then pulling them off again. This is an important part of the process and should be encouraged.

This activity provides plenty of opportunity for fine motor development and is excellent for the refinement of the pincer grip from two finger to three. This is the precursor to pencil grip and requires both fine motor development and focal attention. It is important that children are allowed to choose to participate in this activity when they are ready and for as long as they require. If this activity is left out they may return to it on several occasions throughout the session. Use this opportunity to interact with the child and support their language skills in sharing this enjoyable experience. You may end up with a pretty collage to display but you then again you may not. What is important is the process and that the children have been able to practice their skills throughout the session.

Early Childhood Education and Child Care

Sunday, January 6, 2013

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