Adom אדום (Older Toddlers)
We have exciting news in the toddler room this week…Big Elmo learned to use the potty and doesn’t need diapers anymore! As you likely know, our theme this week has been potty training. This isn’t meant to rush any of you, not all of our toddlers are ready at this time. We have several children who have been showing interest so we thought we’d take advantage of the interest and focus on it in a positive way.
On Monday we started the day with our morning work which was building bridges on cups. It’s fun to see all the different ways the kids interpret this activity.
Later we played in the Big Room and then read our most favorite potty training book, Once Upon a Potty. We always read it using one of the students' names but this time we used Elmo’s name. We have a huge stuffed Elmo which the kids love. As we read the story we acted it out with Elmo - he had his diaper changed, received a box from gramma with a potty chair in it, tried using the potty with no success and then sat and sat and sat and sat and sat… and had success. We all cheered for Elmo and then the kids had free time to color a potty sheet and practice diapering Elmo and putting him on our pretend potty. Several kids who haven’t expressed interest in the past tried the real potty for the first time at school.
On Tuesday we played outside. It sure would be nice not to need mittens and hats anymore!
During activity time we read a book about Elmo using the potty and then decorated undies for Elmo to wear since he is potty training. They turned out super cute!
On Wednesday we started the morning working on a surprise project. We had to tear lots of strips of paper (recycled from past art projects) into little pieces. It was great fine motor practice and also took some persistence. These pieces were used on Thursday.
We had music with Cantor, so we sang, danced and interacted with her puppets.
For activity time we read another potty book. After Elmo had success using the potty, he started wearing real big kid undies! So exciting. The kids then got to revisit an old favorite activity - feeding dolls and then washing them in the sensory bin. Messy, wet and FUN!
On Thursday we started the morning doing all sorts of puzzles.
We played outside and then worked on our secret project (which I’m clearly not doing a good job keeping secret). We soaked our paper scraps in warm water and then blended them to make pulp. The blender wasn’t too loud, but we covered our ears just in case. The kids took turns using the pulp to make something special. We think you will love the end result.
We had a baby doll circle time before lunch. The kids took turns suggesting ways to take care of our babies. Some suggestions were hugs, playing, giving a pacifier, drinking milk, loving them. This activity always melts my heart.
On Friday we will have Shabbat - always a favorite activity and play with our shabbat set. We will likely play outside, unless it’s super wet. Our activity time will finish out our potty training theme (although we will continue to encourage and praise the kids when they try to use the potty). We will work on a sequencing activity about the steps to using the potty.
Next week Eric is preparing fun things for us to do!
Thanks for being great parents! We love working with you and your kiddos.
Fondly,
Teachers Katie and Eric
PS Here is a photo of me when I was 2 and learning to use the potty. :)
