This month, the Toddlers at RisingOaks Early Learning | St. Luke have been learning more about the Earth. In the weeks leading up to Earth Hour, the children have been engaged in playdough activities about the Earth. One activity was making "Earth Seeds." Educator Amanda made blue and green playdough with the children, inviting them to participate in the process. After making the playdough, the children were taught how to roll and squish the different coloured playdough together to make a ball that looks like our planet! Kairo agreed that their creations looked like Earth.
Then, the children were given blue and green paper to mix with the playdough, providing an opportunity for texture exploration. After this activity, Amanda shared her wish to plant seeds. Lana asked, "Why?" Educator AJ explained that by planting and taking care of our trees, we are helping the Earth stay healthy.
Another activity that the children did is pretend play by pairing the blue and green playdough with toy animals, wooden trees, logs, and people. Julia placed her bear on the blue playdough and said that the bear was drinking water. Henry Y made the green playdough flat and said "Look at my grass, Amanda!" Then, Monique noticed that there were different kinds of trees. She held a pink tree and asked Amanda what tree it was, and Amanda said, "I'm not sure, but I believe it's a cherry tree!" Then Amanda and Monique researched about the tree and they learned that it is a cherry blossom tree and it looks different in different seasons. Monique saw a picture of the cherry blossom tree in the summer and said, "It's green!"
These activities were beneficial for the children as it not only helped them understand more about the planet they live in, but it also engaged them in sensory, fine motor, and imaginative play that fosters their curiosity.
