Easy Construction Worker Small World
Easy to make Construction Worker Small World/Sensory Bin for Preschoolers
Small world bins can be extremely fun and despite how elaborate they can look on Pinterest, they’re usually actually pretty simple to make.
Here’s a construction worker small world that was under $7 to make using dollar store items and my sons toys.
The materials I used I had around the house already because we do a lot of sensory play, but they were mostly purchased from the home decor section of the dollar store.
If you’re looking for sensory play material, skip the toy section and head to the decor and holiday section of the dollar store; that’s where most of the great material is located.
The serving tray we use for sensory play had been reused for many projects but that was purchased at Target. You can use the trays from the dollar store however or even a deep pan or cookie sheet.
Black decor rocks/fish tank pebbles.
Decor logs (or you can use material from outside! Even better)
River rocks
Plastic Construction truck and Lego man
Whatever other material inspires you!
We laid down the rocks and spread them out and arranged the material.
My son loves watching the process so if you’re doing this at home or in the classroom, let your kids watch you put it together or help. It’s super exciting for them!
If the small rocks are a hazard concern you can substitute them for beach sand or kinetic sand.
My son had a blast playing with it. This small world has a lot of tactile sensory aspects with the pebbles and rough wood logs. The pebbles also made a really cool sound when he drove the truck across it as well.
He did eventually decide to add his Hotwheel cars (which he does for most of our projects) and sticky blocks which is fine.
This is a very important part to remember about small world!
It’s okay to for them to add or take away items from the small world. The ultimate goal is to let the child explore and engage with it the way they want to.
It ruins the point if you try to keep the project looking perfect!
Questions/conversation prompts you can ask to extend learning:
How many ______ are there?
How do the logs feel? (Introduce new vocabulary like “course” and “rugged”)
Have you seen any constructions sites lately? What do you think they were building?
What other kind of materials should we use to build ____?
Which of these stones is the biggest?
Which log should we use as the base to make our tower sturdier?
How do you think the construction worker would feel if he accidentally built the tower backward?
Drop by our Facebook group and show us what small world/sensory play bins you’re creating at home or in your classroom!
10 Ways to Make Daycare Drop Off's Easier
Getting your kids up and out of the house in the morning is challenging enough, so how can parents help ease the drop off’s at daycare and school?
If you have a child on their way to preschool, the scene of a little one clutching onto their parent’s leg with a death grip and pouring tears might sound familiar. It might even resonate on a personal note if you’ve had to pry little fingers off your arm at drop-off.
Going to daycare/preschool can be an exciting time for both a parent and the child/ren, but that doesn’t always guarantee they enjoy the transition from home to school.
Here are 10 ways to help ease the drop-off transition for both you and your child.
Well rested and well-fed makes a happy kid.
Some days can be a blur of rushed teeth brushing and repeating “get your shoes on” 20 million times, however taking the time to make sure they’ve eaten a good breakfast and they get plenty of sleep the night before can make all the difference.
If you’re often finding yourself and your family pinched for time, consider having a few healthy “on-the-go” meals prepped for these types of days. Bowls of fresh fruit, mini pancakes, and breakfast burritos travel well.
Have a casual discussion about school in the morning and on the way there.
If your child feels up to it, ask them if they plan on playing with their favorite playmate, what they’ll build with the legos today, or what their favorite game at the playground is. Helping them get excited about how much fun they have can help build anticipation instead of anxiousness.
Skip the lectures about “no crying” during drop-off. It could just amp up their anxiety and unintentionally create guilt or shame about having a hard time separating from you. Reassure them and remind them that you’ll be returning.
Let them help prepare for school.
Kids love being involved and might be more willing to part ways if they know they’ve had a hand in preparing their lunch or getting dressed. Giving choices and offering to let them help can also remove some power struggles which is an added bonus.
Stay calm.
Children can sense when you’re anxious or nervous about something and that can feed into their own fears. Be confident at drop-offs and show your child you trust them to be in their teacher’s care.
Remember the language you use with yourself too. Instead of thinking “they’re about to start acting up!” when you see the beginning of their tearful meltdown don’t let yourself get riled up. Ground yourself and stay positive.
They could very well cry, but we don’t have to adopt our children’s moods to empathize with them. Children are allowed to be upset, but you’re also still allowed to be calm and excited about their day at preschool.
Make drop-offs simple.
It’s tempting to linger until they settle down but the majority of the time, extended stays can make the separation harder. By doing this the child builds an expectation of you staying or might pick up the message that you’re not comfortable leaving them. Give them a hug and goodbye then drop them off.
If you have to, physically hand them off to their teacher. While the cries might be heart-wrenching, usually a child can be soothed a few moments later.
There might be exceptions when the child seems to do better if you gradually leave and this is something to discuss with the teachers beforehand. You might be able to walk them to the playground instead of using the carpool or help the child put their lunchbox away to give them that extra time with you.
Either way, remember when it’s time to go, it’s time to go. Try not to get roped into the “one more minute” battle. Confidently tell your little one goodbye, you love them, you’ll be back and leave.
Brace yourself for the first few days.
If your child is starting a new school, coming back after an extended break, going through a major life event, or starting childcare for the first time altogether, know that adjusting can take some time.
7. Don’t stress if the second/third day doesn’t go well (even if the first day did).
You might be surprised to see your child stroll into their classroom with no issues the first day, and then delighted to hear they’ve done fine all day only to have them fall apart on day number two. This is normal if the child suddenly realizes that this is going to become a recurrent event.
8. Make a plan for communication.
Sometimes drop-offs are more stressful for the parent than the child. If you’re feeling nervous about sending your little one off without you, don’t be shy about asking your child’s teacher if you can get an update for the first day or two.
Most teachers won’t mind sending a picture of them playing to help you gain some peace of mind.
9. Ask the teacher if you can bring a lovey. Sometimes having a blanket from home can help comfort a child. However, as they become more accustomed to their school, help them learn other soothing methods as well since loveys can sometimes be a distraction in the classroom or cause a quarrel.
If blankets aren’t allowed you could send your kiddo a love note, a picture, or a surprise card in their lunchbox.
10. Don’t sneak out.
This is different than simply leaving quietly if they found something to do. Sneaking out would be something like purposefully pointing your child’s attention towards the classroom fish and then suddenly disappearing. * poof * or pretending like you’re going to get your jacket and then not returning.
This can play into their worst fear about being abandoned and can not only make future drop-offs harder but also leaves them upset throughout the day.
Remember that being upset isn’t a bad thing.
It’s okay for your child to miss you and express this. Continue to be consistent, stay resilient, and keep reassuring them that you love them and will see them after school.
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What is the Reggio Emilia Approach?
What is the Reggio Emilia Approach and what can traditional classrooms take away from it?
There are a lot of early childhood philosophies that we can learn from, and even implement, in our classrooms.
However, despite the growing popularity of these philosophies (more specifically in the United States), there is still a lot of misunderstanding about exactly what these different philosophies entail and what they mean.
Getting to know what different philosophies are out there, what the core belief and practices are, and even gaining inspiration from them can be greatly beneficial to our classrooms; or at the very least, help us build community with those who teach in a different environment than us.
In this blog post, we’ll be looking at the Reggio Emilia philosophy.
History
Reggio Emilia is a small town in Italy in which the philosophy developed. It started in the 1940’s and gained popularity during the time when there was a strong push for progressive education that followed the child’s needs.
It’s good to note that there’s no specific way to be a Reggio Emilia school, hence why most schools will call themselves Reggio inspired and many consider only the school in the town as a true Reggio Emilia school.
Schools follow the overall beliefs and perspectives on the role of the teachers, students, and classroom environment, but each classroom could operate differently, depending on the needs of the students.
Core Beliefs
The environment is the third teacher.
This is a common term you’ll hear often when it comes to Reggio Emilia, in which they refer to the classroom as the “third teacher”. The concept behind this is the importance of the classroom environment and how the children interact with it.
The classroom and the materials inside of it are crucial to strengthening and empowering the children during their learning experience. Everything from the lighting and colors in the classroom, to how the materials are displayed and how the furniture is arranged is held in great regard.
The Teacher (or atelierista) is a guide.
The lessons are child-led and developed around the children’s interest. It’s the teacher's job to help them explore their interests in depth and provide opportunities for them to do so.
Student’s are capable of directing their own learning experience.
There’s a strong trust in students directing their learning, and that they’re already drive by their own curiosity and natural interest to explore without adult intervention. There’s also a strong emphasis on group work and communication.
Documenting.
Another popular term in Reggio, many people misunderstand this as simply hanging the children’s artwork up in an elaborate way. There’s actually a very intentional process behind these displays, giving the children (and teachers) a visual display of their progression and learning process.
Many lessons are carried out over a longer length of time that’s not typical in traditional Early Childhood classrooms and documentation is used to keep track of their thought process, achievements, and learning progression. These also spark future ideas and inspiration.
The Hundred Languages of Children.
The belief that children express, learn, and share their thoughts and ideas in a variety of ways, and the classroom and teacher should offer plenty of opportunities for the child to explore ways of expression. They’re all valued and no “language” or method of learning and expression holds more importance than another.
So what can we learn from it?
While your classroom might not be Reggio Inspired, there are still some concepts that can be adapted and implemented in any classroom. Some of them to consider are:
The Hundred Languages of Children: take a look around your classroom and see if you’re classroom offers a variety of ways for children to learn and explore their interests.
Children all learn in different ways and forms and it’s important for any class to make sure they’re meeting the needs of all their children.
The Third Teacher: while you might not adopt the typical nature-inspired look of a Reggio environment, it is worth it to make sure your classroom is working for you and your students.
Does your classroom encourage exploration and creativity?
What atmosphere do your colors and decor create in your classroom?
Does your classroom belong to the children or is it designed for adults?
If you’d like to read more about Reggio Emilia and its philosophy here are some great resources.
What is your experience with Reggio Emilia?
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The Magic of Kinetic Sand
How we use Kinetic Sand in the classroom with a DIY recipe for Kinetic Sand -Early Childhood Educators Academy
Kinetic sand feels and "behaves" much like wet sand and was originally made for sculpting but has found its way into many classrooms.
It is by far one of my favorite items for the preschool classroom and for good reason.
Why Kinetic sand?
Kinetic Sand is a great sensory experience for children.
Not only is it unique in the way that it feels, but compacting it, molding, and kneading it gives children the tactile input that they need in multiple ways.
It can be incredibly relaxing for kids who want something soothing.
The slow almost lazy movement of the sand, as well as the soft texture, can really be grounding and help calm busy minds and bodies, especially for children still learning to regulate emotional responses. This is also therapeutic for stressed-out teachers!
But it can also be equally stimulating for kiddos who need something to smoosh and squeeze. Kinetic sand can be stuffed into cups and hold its shape and easily flattened back into a pancake.
It's a really great tool to use for fine motor skills, such as using the knife to cut through the sand, building grip strength (a crucial prewriting skill) while forming and compacting the sand, and kneading through the sand or using tweezers to pick up toys out of the sand.
Kinetic sand can also be used to extend/enhance learning, such as using colorful sand for color recognition, using it as a base for a small world setting, burying letters/numbers for children to uncover, or using it in dramatic play to make ice cream cones and waffles.
Kinetic sand also doesn’t dry out!
That means you can use it over and over again if you remind the kids to wash their hands before using it.
You can store it in a ziplock bag, a jar, or just leave it in the sensory bin/container and even without a lid, it will be fine.
It's also easier than other materials to clean up should it spill on the floor or carpet since it just clumps together.
It's super easy to DIY your own Kinetic sand as well. All you need is:
Dish Soap
Water
Fine Sand (you can buy from the craft store)
Cornstarch
Food Coloring (optional)
First, mix the sand and cornstarch together
Then mix the water and dish soap (you want it to be bubbly) in a separate bowl
Then slowly add them together until you get the right consistency
You can fold in the food coloring afterward if you choose to add color or diluted essential oil for scent.
Depending on the consistency of your sand, you may have to add more water. You do want to avoid using craft sand that has a lot of rocks and pebbles (like playground sand) or is too chunky.
If you're not a DIY kind of person you can always buy kinetic sand on Amazon or in most big stores like Walmart.
Let us know in the free facebook group for early childhood educators: Do you use Kinetic sand in your classroom?
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Preschool Teacher Burnout is Running Rampant
Preschool Teacher Burnout and what you can do to prevent it -Early Childhood Educators Academy
Are you feeling like you might be losing your mind a teeny tiny bit?
Well, you’re not alone, because many, many educators are feeling the exact same way.
The Department Of Education measured that nearly 15% of the workforce is leaving or moving every year and that number is only growing.
Teachers are just tired.
Add on that early childhood educators are severely underpaid, underappreciated, and undervalued, and it can make anyone feel like throwing in the towel and walking away.
Preschool Teacher Burnout and how to prevent it -Early Childhood Educators Academy
So what's a teacher to do if they want to stay sane throughout the year?
There are many underlying, big-picture issues that need to be addressed, but those solutions will take time, advocacy, and funding.
And there’s no way to completely avoid the stress that comes in this particular field of work, but here are a few self-care tips to hopefully lower your blood pressure in the classroom in the meantime.
*note: these are tips teachers in the classroom can take, we have a separate post for directors and owners to take care of themselves and their staff!
Take care of yourself physically.
I'm no gym buff, so pumping a few weights isn't my personal go-to for stress relief, but something simple like taking walks, stretching, or anything to get you moving can help.
But taking care of yourself physically doesn’t only mean exercise.
Things like making sure you're getting enough sleep and eating are included.
Being in a room with 16 two-year-olds when you're only running on 4 hours of sleep and a granola bar is cause enough to make anyone feel a little loopy.
When you can, eat a proper meal and get some sleep. If not, grab some easy-to-go snacks and sit down with your kiddos for snack time and eat.
Also, be sure to make use of those sick days when you need them. It's tempting to try and power through when you "just have a little sneeze" but pushing your body when it needs rest is doing more harm than good (and spreading germs).
It’s not a sign of “work ethic” to push your body to it’s limit, and honestly it’s not the example we’d want to set for our children either.
Any healthy work environment will prioritize you getting the rest you need so you’re not forced to come to work with the flu. The truth is, it’s not your job as the teacher to be concerned about staffing and meeting ratio. If you’re not abusing and taking advantage of calling out, you should be calling in for health concerns.
Take your break and use it for you.
Teachers are notorious for using lunch breaks as errand runs and paperwork catch-up, essentially skipping their (often only) break altogether.
Take your break and enjoy it.
If you have to do a “working lunch” make sure you take your 15-minute break and use it outside of the classroom.
Unless there’s an actual emergency that only you can solve, there's very little reason to be working during the time you're supposed to be on break.
Make your breaks a priority the same way you would do lesson plans or payroll. We make time for things we find important so make breaks important too.
That might mean skipping a butterfly craft because you didn’t cut out the wings on your break and that’s okay. Break out the plain paper and do some process art instead.
Prep for your day mentally.
You might spend a good 30+ minutes prepping your classroom materials before the day starts, but what about your mental state?
Take a few minutes before class to do some meditation or set some intentions/goals just to make sure you're in a positive mindset before the day begins.
Ask yourself a few reflective questions to see if there’s anything that might still be crowding your thoughts or mood, especially if you’re dealing with challenges in the classroom or if it’s been a hard week.
What do you need to let go of to start the day off with a blank slate?
What emotion keeps popping up that you should explore/address?
Is there anything that’s been on your mind that you need to get off your chest?
Are there any affirmations to help shift your negative mood if you’re in one or shift your perspective?
Speaking of affirmations, give yourself a pep talk.
That's right, you look at yourself in the mirror and remind yourself that you're an awesome, goal-crushing, world-changing teacher— and this is your classroom and your students and success is the direction you're all headed in.
Especially if it's been stressful, reminding yourself that you are doing your best can help prevent that dragging, burnt-out feeling that happens when you can’t see any light at the end of the tunnel.
Build a team with the people you see every day.
Yup, your co-workers. Get to know them and develop healthy, supportive relationships with one another, even across age groups.
You don’t necessarily have to be BFFs, but teamwork makes the dream work!
When you have a community of supportive co-workers you know you can rely on then it helps tremendously when it comes down to lowering stress levels and everyone helping each other out.
Ask for help!
Don't wait until you're at your absolute boiling point before seeking help with a child’s difficult behavior or trying to figure out how to communicate with a certain parent.
Reach out to other teachers, your director, an ECE coach, or see if you can tap into the teaching community's wealth of knowledge and experience.
Check out our awesome Facebook group of supportive preschool educators if you'd like to connect with others in case you need to reach out and get some feedback: Early Childhood Teacher Lounge
Seek out ongoing Professional Development
Even though you're required to do certain training, don't be afraid to branch out and seek extra training that matters to you.
When you feel properly equipped to do your job, you're less stressed out.
It doesn’t even have to be training for something typical like classroom management, it could be about something interesting you’d like to learn more about like sensory play or using puppets just to respark your joy and passion for teaching.
If you're looking for engaging training for early childhood educators check out our in-person workshops or professional development opportunities here.
Even a course on something hobby-related like using a Cricut can benefit your classroom.
Speaking of hobbies...do you have a life outside of the classroom?
Really, what's your personal self-care looking like at home too?
Do you do anything you enjoy? Are you dragging the stress from work home with you? Are you being well...happy?
An incredibly stressful life at home has its way of sneaking into your work life and vice versa, so it's important to make sure both are balanced so they're not poisoning the other.
Do more of the things that make you happy so you can come skipping into your classroom like a bright ray of educational sunshine!
Or at least with a smile.
When life gets rough, find “pockets of joy” and small things to celebrate to remind yourself not everything is negative. Some people have found keeping a gratitude journal or jar can be helpful. You can have a separate one for home and a second for your classroom (maybe even get the kids involved and have them write something they’re grateful for!)
Identify your triggers in the classroom.
There are certain things that can drive us up the wall.
Being aware of what these are and actively taking steps to address this can help take some burden off.
For example, if it’s overstimulating when a student keeps shouting your name, develop a system for how they can grab your attention without interrupting or shouting.
If you’re aware that excessive mess raises your anxiety levels, you can be more mindful about how this influences your interaction with your kids during free play.
Some things might not ever disappear but you can at least be proactive about reducing how much of a negative impact it has on your day or resolving it quicker.
And finally, make an emergency box.
Yup, an emergency box.
Just a cute little box you can stash away in the teacher’s cabinet for days when you're really just feeling overwhelmed.
You can fill the box with your favorite goodies and pick-me-ups like candy, words of encouragement, affirmation cards, funny memes, essential oils, and other mood boosters.
Fun fact: just the thought of having a treat for yourself hidden away and waiting for you can raise serotonin levels when you're stressed. That's not opinion, that's science ;)
So stash away a tiny treat and when you’re feeling a little worn down and remind yourself you have something awesome waiting for you on your next break.
Caring for you is really an essential part of running a smooth classroom.
A happy teacher makes for an overall better experience for the students. You're able to give more when you're taking care of yourself so take care of yourself!
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Aggressive behavior like hitting, kicking, and biting are easily cited as one of the most stressful behaviors in the early childhood classroom. Here are some tips for handling aggressive behavior in the PreK/daycare classroom.