The toddlers have recently discovered the school buses that park at the front of the school at the end of the day, as they wait for the children to be let go from school. They anxiously wait at the fence watching as the buses align themselves behind one another. Watching and waiting as the big kids walk or run up to their corresponding bus and climb on. Once all the children have boarded the buses, they drive out of the school parking lot and we give the bus drivers a big wave goodbye and sometimes they honk their horns in response! “bye school bus!” they shout repeatedly as all six buses drive away, “See you tomorrow!” We often go into a rendition of “The Wheels on the bus” which the Tod squad will often ask for while standing with anticipation for the buses to start up their engines. “That’s loud!” says Joshua as he holds his hands over his ears. “The bus is starting” he adds. With this new interest in the school buses emerging, before going outside the educators have introduced a story called, “Hello school bus!” which the toddlers have really enjoyed. So, one morning, after the story had been read, the educators brought out a large card board box and asked if they would like to make their very own school bus, they cheered yes! Seeming to like the idea of their own bus! Using their fine motor skills, eye hand coordination and some elbow grease they worked together to paint the card board box yellow. Once the box had dried, we added four large black circles that represented the buses tires. “1,2,3,4!” we counted together as they were glued onto our bus. “Wheels go round and round” sang Danilo as he did the rolling motions with his hands as other friends joined in and the singing began. The toddlers were then encouraged to sit together and practice their sharing and turn taking skills as they sat inside their very own school bus. Through imaginative play like this activity, children learn critical thinking skills, how to follow simple direction, build expressive and receptive language, increase social skills and learn how to manage their emotions.
