B is for Baker Word Match

Many children have problems learning the letters of the alphabet, especially when they are grouped together into words.

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Since letter (and word) recognition depends on understanding a sequence of features, the best way to teach children the sequence of word-making is by guided practice.

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Because of this, we partake in a variety of letter “games” that encourage your child to recognize, enunciate, and match the concept of a letter to its print form.

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Young children learning letters need vivid, concrete language to understand the abstract component of the written word.

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For this activity, we practiced matching cardboard cutouts of letters to the letters in the word B-A-K-E-R.

Big, Bigger, and Biggest

Young children learn measurement initially by sorting objects by size. For this particular activity, we practiced sorting and measuring the length of cupcake sponge blocks. Measurement can be a tricky concept for preschoolers to grasp, so experimenting with different materials assists them in the understanding of complex measurement concepts. When relaying concepts of measurement, it’s best for your budding scientist to be concrete, because that’s how preschoolers think at this stage of their development.

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A preschooler would have a tough time learning the ropes of measuring skills using a regular ruler. They don’t have much of a handle on any abstract skills yet, and measurement falls in that abstract area. Still, the basics of measurement can be taught at the preschool level with great effectiveness by using very basic measuring methods.

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Even though inches and centimeters are much too abstract for a preschooler’s grasp, the concept of comparing lengths of items is more concrete and can be a great way to introduce measurement. The acquisition of measurement concepts also includes new vocabulary. Throughout the activity, your little one was encouraged to use words such as longer, smaller, heavier, lighter, and variations of the terms such as large, larger, and largest.

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Bread in a Bag

When children participate in the kitchen, they are learning important life skills. With specific direction, they can create several tasty dishes, and enjoy the sense of autonomy that is fostered as a result.

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These kinds of activities provide endless opportunities for building self-esteem and increasing vocabulary!

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For this particular activity, we made bread with the assistance of a picture diagram as we learned about the world of baking.

breadSince we are learning about the book, In the Night Kitchen, we thought it would be fun to bake our own bread! To do this, we divided into groups of two.

bread1Each child would have a turn holding the bag that the bread would go into, while the other child added ingredients. Once finished, we put it into the toaster oven and then, into our tummies!

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Muffin Tin Patterns

Preschoolers are naturally curious, and are constantly noticing the patterns they encounter in their daily lives.

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Fostering this skill is an important foundation for the future application of math skills, spatial reasoning, and critical thought.

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Using pom poms, a simple diagram, and a muffin tin, your little one reconstructed a variety of patterns, continuing to hone their problem solving and fine motor skills.

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Wheat Farming!

Wheat grows globally in bountiful supply. Because it can be harvested in winter and spring, it is utilized abundantly.

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Using tractors, baby wheat plants, and shovels, your little farmer harvested their own wheat! They learned that these crops require constant care and upkeep.

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Producing wheat is an intensive process, and your little one learned about the many technological advances that allow all of us to enjoy our bread, cereal, and pasta!

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They were introduced to the words “swather” (to cut and bind wheat) and “combine” (a process in which trucks cut and loosen wheat from its stem). By harvesting their own crops, your little one was able to apply their understanding of new vocabulary and complicated concepts.

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