Gardening, Play-doh and More

I think we are on Day 26 or so of over 100 degree temperatures.  It's so hot that the kids don't want to go outside at all, but seeing the need for outdoor time, we try to get out as early in the morning as possible.  This morning was no exception, but we were on a mission.  It has been three days since we picked tomatoes and there were plenty that needed picking.

Once that task was done, we headed inside for Circle time and our table work.  Our "All About Me" book is finished and the kids took it home to practice last night.  This morning each child drew their house on the address page.  Tomorrow we will finish the book by adding some cell phone clip art and a birthday cake with the appropriate number of candles.  I've already noticed that my Little Man, "O," is reciting part of our address during his play activities.

With name recognition being a big objective for the week, the kids worked on making the letters of their names.  We used the raised name cards from yesterday and rolled out play-doh snakes to outline the letters.  Rolling out the dough was challenging for a couple, but they worked through it and were very proud of their work.

Following the name exercise, the kids spent another 30 minutes or so "playing" Play-Doh-lots of good fine motor work going on there!

Right now, I'm using real "Play-Doh" from the store, just because I found a decent sale on it and I don't typically buy all-purpose flour, so it was just as cheap to buy it pre-made as buy the ingredients.  But, in case you don't have Play-Doh handy, or you are dealing with a gluten sensitivity (Play-Doh has wheat in it), here is the recipe for homemade dough that I use.  For gluten free, you can just sub your regular gluten free flour mix in place of the flour (I used to make one with white rice flour, tapioca starch and potato starch.)

And here is a final picture just to show that preschool is hard work, even if you are just watching.