Adventures In WES Preschool!

Row, row, row your boat... A good core workout! Preschool is all about working on skills through play.  What from the outside looks like kids just playing, is actually much more.  For example, some of the skills from the state standards that the students in the "boat" above are unknowingly working on are: 1.  Demonstrates balancing skills (ex: getting in and out of the "boat") 2.  Demonstrates gross motor manipulative skills (ex: rocking back and forth using core strength) 3.  Manages feelings (ex: waiting for turns, rocking at the speed of others...) 4.  Follows limits and expectations (ex: rocking safely and under control) 5.  Responds to emotional cues (ex: slow down or stop when they notice others getting scared) 6.  Interacts with peers (ex: talking and signing with each others while rocking)  7.  Makes friends (ex: shared experiences create friendships) 8.  Balances needs and rights of self and others (ex: taking turns with th...

Southworth Park Southworth Park is one of our favorite places to go.  We try to go once a week even if it's lightly raining or the ground is wet.  The walk is about a half mile each way.  At the beginning of the year, that can be quite a long distance for some of our preschoolers, especially those with short legs, but as the year progresses it is amazing to watch the progress.  Those who struggle at the beginning of the year, have no problem by springtime.  We do take a break from walking to the park in the winter when there is snow on the ground.  During that time, we walk to our outdoor classroom in the woods near the entrance to the river path. A typical day at Southworth Park begins around 9:00 with a walk to the park.  Then we read a story and eat our snacks. After that, the kids are allowed to explore.  They love digging in the dirt and rotten logs, creating piles of sticks for pretend fires, looking for bugs and worms, jumping off one of th...