Hi everyone -
Yesterday the kids and I made a really sweet Mother's Day gift for their moms. I got the craft idea from www.preschooleducation.com - I really love this website. They have great ideas for crafts, music, science, centers, snacks, etc. Anyway, basically you cut out the individual parts of a cardboard egg carton and paint them each inside and out with red paint. These are the "rose petals". Once they're dry you poke a hole at the top and insert a green pipe cleaner (the "stem"). Then you can cut "leaves" out of green construction paper and tape them onto the pipe cleaner. I had each child make six roses and then tied them together with another green pipe cleaner to give the appearance of a bouquet of roses. Very cute and the moms loved them!
Today we went for a long hike at Castlewood Canyon State Park, just south of Parker. Once again we saw and heard many excited animals and plants. To name a few: hummingbirds, frogs, lizard, ground squirrels, cacti, fish, swallows, larkspur, pasque flowers, etc. It was an absolutely great day for a hike. The kids had a blast and have really enjoyed getting out into nature and exploring. I love that about them!
Well, time to get some paperwork done. Have a great afternoon!
Kendall Stark
Monarch Kids Childcare Provider
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Teachable Moment
Hi everyone -
Today at lunch the kids and I were observed either a Cooper's hawk or a Sharp-shinned hawk flying through our yard. Of course, I loved it and the kids got very excited too! This is a pretty rare event but it made way for a very teachable moment. I was able to tell them more about those kinds of hawks, what they eat, where they live, etc. The conversation led to talk about ants and how if black ants battled against red ants, the black ones would win. It was pretty amusing to say the least! I love how their little minds work. Well, after we were done discussing the ants, the hawk flew back into our yard and perched in one of our aspen trees. Quickly I tried to point out where it was in the tree but by the time kids started to look for it, it had flown off again. I think that they'll be telling their parents about this one tonight!
That's it today - enjoy the weather!
Kendall Stark
Monarch Kids Childcare Provider
Today at lunch the kids and I were observed either a Cooper's hawk or a Sharp-shinned hawk flying through our yard. Of course, I loved it and the kids got very excited too! This is a pretty rare event but it made way for a very teachable moment. I was able to tell them more about those kinds of hawks, what they eat, where they live, etc. The conversation led to talk about ants and how if black ants battled against red ants, the black ones would win. It was pretty amusing to say the least! I love how their little minds work. Well, after we were done discussing the ants, the hawk flew back into our yard and perched in one of our aspen trees. Quickly I tried to point out where it was in the tree but by the time kids started to look for it, it had flown off again. I think that they'll be telling their parents about this one tonight!
That's it today - enjoy the weather!
Kendall Stark
Monarch Kids Childcare Provider
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
"Earth"
Hey everyone -
I don't have a ton to write today but I did want to promote the new Disney Nature film "Earth". It is phenomenal! I took a friend of mine that absolutely loves animals (probably more than I do!) and she practically flipped out in each scene. It is a story about 3 animal families and one year of their life. It follows a family of polar bears, a family of elephants and a family of humpback whales. It is so fantastic - it made me cry and laugh. Very touching and sweet.
I don't have much else to say at this point but I'll be sure to update you all on any adventures of Monarch Kids later on. Have a great day!
Kendall Stark
Monarch Kids Childcare Provider
I don't have a ton to write today but I did want to promote the new Disney Nature film "Earth". It is phenomenal! I took a friend of mine that absolutely loves animals (probably more than I do!) and she practically flipped out in each scene. It is a story about 3 animal families and one year of their life. It follows a family of polar bears, a family of elephants and a family of humpback whales. It is so fantastic - it made me cry and laugh. Very touching and sweet.
I don't have much else to say at this point but I'll be sure to update you all on any adventures of Monarch Kids later on. Have a great day!
Kendall Stark
Monarch Kids Childcare Provider
Thursday, April 23, 2009
A New Discovery!
Hello -
The kids and I set out on a nature hike today along Cherry Creek Trail and discovered a great little park. The park is located back in the woods a bit and there are no parking lots right next to it, so its much quieter than most. You have to go on a bit of a walk to get there - which is fine with me, considering I love to hike and explore nature along the way. There are plenty of things to do at this park - they have the typical standbys like slides, swings, monkey bars and tunnels. But it also had a miniature rock wall, balance beam and a giant sand pit. We spent the majority of our time there - one of the kids dug for quite some time in hopes of finding some "buried treasure". Next to the park is a large field, basketball court, sand volleyball court and a picnic shelter. These are all the components needed for a perfect park! The kids absolutely loved it here and so did I. We'll definitely be going back there soon.
At the library story time, we sang a new song about dinosaurs. The kids enjoyed this as they got to stomp around the room like one of these pre-historic creatures. Pretty cute! Then for our story time before nap today we read a book called "Baby Colors" (my 2 year-old picked out this one!). It was great because once again, I showed them sign language for each of the colors mentioned in the book - and I also told them the Spanish translation for it. I really enjoy being able to incorporate both of these languages into our daily activities.
I guess that's about it for now - thanks for reading!
Kendall Stark
Monarch Kids Childcare Provider
The kids and I set out on a nature hike today along Cherry Creek Trail and discovered a great little park. The park is located back in the woods a bit and there are no parking lots right next to it, so its much quieter than most. You have to go on a bit of a walk to get there - which is fine with me, considering I love to hike and explore nature along the way. There are plenty of things to do at this park - they have the typical standbys like slides, swings, monkey bars and tunnels. But it also had a miniature rock wall, balance beam and a giant sand pit. We spent the majority of our time there - one of the kids dug for quite some time in hopes of finding some "buried treasure". Next to the park is a large field, basketball court, sand volleyball court and a picnic shelter. These are all the components needed for a perfect park! The kids absolutely loved it here and so did I. We'll definitely be going back there soon.
At the library story time, we sang a new song about dinosaurs. The kids enjoyed this as they got to stomp around the room like one of these pre-historic creatures. Pretty cute! Then for our story time before nap today we read a book called "Baby Colors" (my 2 year-old picked out this one!). It was great because once again, I showed them sign language for each of the colors mentioned in the book - and I also told them the Spanish translation for it. I really enjoy being able to incorporate both of these languages into our daily activities.
I guess that's about it for now - thanks for reading!
Kendall Stark
Monarch Kids Childcare Provider
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Happy Earth Day!
Happy Earth Day everyone! This is one of my favorite days of the year! Today we went to the park for a couple of hours and enjoyed the beautiful weather here in Parker. Its about 70 degrees out today. Then after lunch we did an Earth Day craft. The kids were given a blue circle and then many different objects with which to decorate the "earth". I love seeing what they create and how different they are from each other.
The past two days we've read a book called "Ready of Not, Dawdle Duckling!" by Toni Buzzeo. The kids have enjoyed this book and love to say the words along with me. I recommend it - its a fun read!
All the kids are sleeping now so I'm going to take advantage of this and get some lesson planning done.
Have a good afternoon -
Kendall Stark
Monarch Kids Childcare Provider
The past two days we've read a book called "Ready of Not, Dawdle Duckling!" by Toni Buzzeo. The kids have enjoyed this book and love to say the words along with me. I recommend it - its a fun read!
All the kids are sleeping now so I'm going to take advantage of this and get some lesson planning done.
Have a good afternoon -
Kendall Stark
Monarch Kids Childcare Provider
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Sign Language
Hello -
Well, the second day of the CAEYC conference in Denver was even better than the first! I sat through the keynote speaker's presentation in the morning and then one of her sessions in the afternoon. She is fluent in Spanish and American Sign Language. I learned so much sign language in just one day. I did not know any going into this day and I came out with so much. And what's even better is that I've already started to incorporate that into my daily routine. Yesterday we were reading a book about colors and I was able to teach the kids signs for many of the colors in the book. One of the kids even went home and taught her mom what she had learned. I'm absolutely hooked on sign language now - I see how beneficial it is for all kids.
Well, that's about it for right now. I'll be sure to update you all later on this week. Have a great day and a great Earth Day tomorrow!
Kendall Stark
Monarch Kids Childcare Provider
Well, the second day of the CAEYC conference in Denver was even better than the first! I sat through the keynote speaker's presentation in the morning and then one of her sessions in the afternoon. She is fluent in Spanish and American Sign Language. I learned so much sign language in just one day. I did not know any going into this day and I came out with so much. And what's even better is that I've already started to incorporate that into my daily routine. Yesterday we were reading a book about colors and I was able to teach the kids signs for many of the colors in the book. One of the kids even went home and taught her mom what she had learned. I'm absolutely hooked on sign language now - I see how beneficial it is for all kids.
Well, that's about it for right now. I'll be sure to update you all later on this week. Have a great day and a great Earth Day tomorrow!
Kendall Stark
Monarch Kids Childcare Provider
Friday, April 17, 2009
Friday Conference
Hello -
Well, after braving the mid-April snow storm that we're getting hit with right now, I made it to the CAEYC conference in downtown Denver. I'm excited to go back tomorrow for day two.
Today I went to four sessions:
1) Ready! Set! Learn Through Music
2) Language & Early Literacy: Playing with Words & Sounds
3) Musical Math
4) Science: Hand-on Learning
I learned some great activities and games that I can work into our daily routine. Tomorrow will be very exciting because the keynote speaker will be talking about using American Sign Language will all children and incorporating that into classroom management and transitions. She is also fluent in Spanish and uses that component in her classes as well.
Here are the sessions I will be attending tomorrow:
1) Activities for Toddlers and Twos
2) Achieving School Readiness
3) Sign Language: A Passage to Literacy
4) What Every Infant & Toddler Needs
So let's hope I can make it on the roads tomorrow and get back to learning about these great lesson planning tools and activities. I know the kids will benefit greatly from what I've learned at this conference.
I'll update you all sometime next week. Thanks for reading!
Kendall Stark
Monarch Kids Childcare Provider
Well, after braving the mid-April snow storm that we're getting hit with right now, I made it to the CAEYC conference in downtown Denver. I'm excited to go back tomorrow for day two.
Today I went to four sessions:
1) Ready! Set! Learn Through Music
2) Language & Early Literacy: Playing with Words & Sounds
3) Musical Math
4) Science: Hand-on Learning
I learned some great activities and games that I can work into our daily routine. Tomorrow will be very exciting because the keynote speaker will be talking about using American Sign Language will all children and incorporating that into classroom management and transitions. She is also fluent in Spanish and uses that component in her classes as well.
Here are the sessions I will be attending tomorrow:
1) Activities for Toddlers and Twos
2) Achieving School Readiness
3) Sign Language: A Passage to Literacy
4) What Every Infant & Toddler Needs
So let's hope I can make it on the roads tomorrow and get back to learning about these great lesson planning tools and activities. I know the kids will benefit greatly from what I've learned at this conference.
I'll update you all sometime next week. Thanks for reading!
Kendall Stark
Monarch Kids Childcare Provider
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