Toddlers in the Yard

The toddlers have been doing an amazing job with their curriculum planning.  They spent most of one morning diligently moving gravel from one corner of the yard to another.  They started by using the shovels to place the gravel on the little tree slices;

Then they carried the tree slices from the NE corner of the yard – carefully so the gravel didn’t fall off – past all the obstacles;

Around the hill to the SW corner of the yard where they dumped the gravel into a bowl;

Sure, if they were into ‘products’ it would have been easier to just sat here and fill their bowls up quickly but they like the ‘process’.   This process involved fine motor, gross motor, cognitive skills, cooperation and a whole lot more.

Then there was the music – banging pots and pans;

Creating rhythms with sticks on drums;

Singing through the big hose to create special sound effects;

At one point all four of them were involved in a rousing rendition of ‘Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star’ – it was amazing – just ask my neighbours ;-)

Then there was ‘gym class’ where they practiced climbing up, dancing on, and jumping off the big stumps;

Over in the garden there was story time – they love to tell Grandpa Tree amazing stories;

Grandpa Tree is a wonderful listener – waiting patiently all day long to hear anything you want to share with him.

Yes, the toddlers planned the perfect curriculum – I couldn’t have done any better.