Lookin’ Ahead

 How many of you are already planning for next year? Show of hands?  That is what I figured.  I guess we teachers are planners at heart!

I don’t know why, but at the end of a school year, the thoughts of the beginning of the next year creep into my mind.  I LOVE to plan ahead.  Not that I am always good at it, but I love the thought of having all my ducks in a row before August comes.  I care for teacher’s children in my home- so August to me is like a new school year too!

So, what is my plan for next year you ask…

Weekly Themes

 

Bear in mind that I will have both preschool age children and toddlers next year.  So, I had to figure out a way to make these themes work for each age of child.  Here is what I came up with…

Circle Time: As a group we will sing songs, do calendar activities, weather & review (more on this later).  Is it too much to ask a toddler to sit through all of this?  YES!  But, they can just toddle away to find some toys and come back when they are interested (my singing will bring them back for sure.. HA!)  We will also read a story geared more towards the toddlers, followed by a movement activity.

 

Art/Fine Motor Play: We will all go to the table to create an art project or to do some fine motor work (such as shaving cream play).  The art projects will be simplified for the toddlers and extended for the preschoolers, but will TRY to remain the same concept.

 

Then, we will all have snack and off to bed the toddlers will go for their morning naps.

 

Now, it will be just the preschoolers and we will…

Read a theme-based story (preschool level), followed by a group activity, table time activity & journals (more on that to come).

 

Is it hard to plan for a multi-age group?? YES! But, I know that I can pull it off.  And…what’s better, I’m sharing my plans with YOU!

 

Stay tuned :)