Marvelous May!

This Magical, Marvelous Month of May we have so Many Magnificent and Meaningful activities planned. :D  We will celebrate Mothers and the Monarchy(Victoria day) and learn some new Math concepts.  Our little Monkeys will also get an opportunity to bring in their teddy bears the week of the 21-25 for a very special Teddy Bear's Picnic......Mmmmmm!!

My husband took this photo of my kids and put it on a t-shirt for me many a Mother's Day ago!!

Outdoor Play:
I have really loved getting outside with the kids. :)  Last month we bought sand for our sand boxes( I am opening up the bigger tug boat sandbox this week) and the kids are really enjoying using the shovels!  It was so fun to watch the babies and toddler's expressions as they felt the sand run through their fingers. :)
It has been exciting to think up Outside Activities for May.  I would like to spend some time developing a children's garden, working on decorations for it in Art and learning about vegetables and insects at Circle Time.  We have really enjoyed watching our little beans turn into plants over the last couple of weeks and transferring them outside to our new garden will be great!  It will also be fun to introduce some new outdoor games to help build gross motor skills.  We will be taking some of our indoor activities outside, such as easel painting, chalk, circle time and snack.

Sun Hats, Sunscreen, Sunglasses........
May usually brings sunny weather, so it is important that your child comes equipped with the appropriate gear!
 Your child will need:
sunhat, sunscreen(labeled with your child's name), sunglasses, foot wear that doesn't fall off easily and is appropriate for climbing and running, clothing appropriate for both warm and cooler weather(it may be warm and sunny in the morning but get cool later..you never know!)
 We are really lucky to have part shade and part sun in our yard all day long and our little gems nap during the hottest part of the day.  I am required to have parents sign a permission form for sunscreen and these will go home this week.

Learning Themes this month:  Alphabet poems(S, P, H, T)  Sounds: Ch, Sh, Ph,Th,Wh, Sign Language Alphabet, Full names on Name Recognition Cards. Math Concepts: Smallest to Largest, More and Less, Number recognition to 10, counting to 30, Tracing numbers 1-5, Tracing first names.
Circle Time Themes:  Garden, Insects, Mother's Day, Colours and Rainbows, Teddy Bears and Farm Animals

One of our Little Gems is celebrating a birthday this month. :)  Happy Birthday to A!!!

I have posted some photos taken in April on our Facebook page:
 http://www.facebook.com/pages/Judys-Little-Gems-In-Home-Multi-Age-ChildCare/234946879895518
What a fun month April was. =D

Take care everybody, and thank you for bringing your little gems to me. :)