The toddlers in Toddler 2 have shown so much interest in fire trucks, fire fighters, fire extinguishers, as well as fire alarms. The toddlers will drive the trucks with their fire men jackets on screaming the sounds of the fire engines. Noah and a friend had their fire men jackets on and were walking around the classroom yelling “Fire come help! Shoot down!” The educators wanted to expand on the children’s interests and so while the group was outside, educator Emma painted the wall to make it look like a fire! When the group came back into the classroom and saw the “fire,” each of the toddlers were given their own spray bottle and they were able to shoot down the fire! They loved it and they wanted to do it again and again! While they were spraying the fire down, Wesley was explaining to all his friends that red thing on the wall (the fire alarm) will only go off if it has to keep us safe!
We have had a couple fire alarms since September and since getting new trucks and more clothes for the children to explore, they have wanted to read more stories on fire trucks and anything to do with fire fighters. The toddlers will ask questions about the red thing on the wall and when will it go off. We wanted to make sure that it wasn’t something they need to be scared of and that it’s an important thing.
I wonder how else we can extend their interests on this topic, I wonder if we can get the local fire department to come in one day, or I wonder how we can make this interest more challenging and to expand it even more.
