The Cooperative Preschool

So many ways to play with snow-
Shoveling
Catching it on your tongue
Group games like red light green light
Sledding
Painting
Breaking Ice
Making tracks
Pretend snow food "snow muffins, snow lemonade"

Cooperative tower building-2 different styles of towers

Playdough is always a hit with toddlers! It's even more fun when little animals are hidden in the balls of dough! E even noticed that there were pairs of animals, with a baby and parent.

Snow painting! Perfect for this snowy Boise morning!

Hello!
Do you know what you're gonna do?
I know what you're gonna do!
We're gonna play!

Inspired by the book "The Rabbit Listened" by Cori Doerrfeld, the children worked together to build a large block structure. Learning, working, and playing together!

Snow day fun!

What do you like about the snow?
J- It's kind of like flour.
L- I like to go sledding.

This week, the children were introduced to some "new" technology: a typewriter!

They enjoyed testing it out!

And when everyone wants a turn, we take out our writing tools and make a waiting list!

We love books and reading together ! Teacher Jen is happy to read to the children throughout the day!

Back to play this week!

Getting ready to use the dot markers, but they have to be shaken first! Shake, shake, shake!
Then the markers are ready to use!
Then trying to use a paper punch, S discovered it works best to step on it. She knows it works when she hears "the paper crunch!"

Experimenting on unique paper in class today. One side is slick, the other side is slightly tacky. The children had markers, crayons, sharpies, and colored pencils available to choose from.

Another busy day!

Pretend we're at book club. And we're running late. What book are you reading?

These are pearls. I’m giving these to my mom because I love her.

Pat Pat Pat Pat:
Making a print after working together on color mixing.

I made this for mom!

Today the preschool and toddler classes were joined by Monique from Ballet Folklorico Mexico Lindo Idaho! It was a fun morning filled with movement, music, and dancing!

You may see a box- but it's our "not-a-box!"

-See my painting, I did a special sun!
-But what is that color? Where did you get it?
-Over on the other side are special colors!

Our time at preschool is often filled with kitties! Pretend kitties, that is! Imagination hard at work!

Marching, marching. Marching, marching.
Hop, hop, hop. Hop, hop, hop.
Running, running, running. Running, running, running.
Now we stop! Now we stop!

Creativity with the objects at school. These girls are packing snacks in containers (made from Magna Tiles) for a visit to the doctor.

There was also a Momma kitty with 2 baby kitties at school today. One of those kitties had a broken leg😲

We love to see the imagination in play and the children working together to determine where the okay takes them!

Another busy morning at preschool! Using colored glue to create collages, along with beads, loose parts, produce from the garden.

Have you ever used colored glue? It is so fun to use and make interesting creations!

Snuggling up with books and buddies during the toddler class this morning! A cozy space to spend some time, up in the loft with furniture that is just the right size!

Fun with magnets! Can you believe they will hand if your finger like this?!?!

Giggling at how their blocks keep flipping around!

Look at the airplane!

Writing letters to the clean-up fairies! Learning literacy through play.

Counting & categorizing cars, and sorting rock "fish" by big, medium, and small in their house. Math naturally happens all the time in play!

Toddler classes are so sweet at The Cooperative Preschool! Practicing names and counting friends, exploring the space around our school and picking apples, and practicing gross motor skills, all with a trusted adult nearby.

J is looking at the sign language chart, and figuring out how to make his hands look like the pictures. Joy in learning! Child led, play based preschool!

Building, experimenting with balance, choosing the materials you want to use, making decisions. All in a days work at The Cooperative Preschool.

Making playdough together! These scientists each had an opportunity to feel the playdough ingredients, add an ingredient, and they all voted on which color to make the playdough.

Talking with the children, hearing their voices and perspectives, seeing the smiles on their faces, and watching connections grow. All part of the day at The Cooperative Preschool!

Joy in play!

One of our families gave us this puppet theater! You never know what the show is going to be about, or what characters will star in it, but you do know there is a lot of joy behind the story!

Look at our new see saw! So thankful for friends who helped to put it together!

Yesterday, the children helped put together our new see saw! What a great opportunity for hands on learning, problem solving, teamwork, and real life skills!

Watch our scientists! Using baking soda, vinegar, and a pipette (great for fine motor skills), A spent the entire time inside watching, learning, and layering the reactions! Each child will approach the materials in their own unique ways.

Learning how to share a space is so important! These preschoolers make it look easy!

Look! I can ride so fast!

Building connections! The friendships that are made at school are so precious! Learning how to work, play, and be with others!

One morning at preschool, so many things to do! Children have the option to explore, play, get messy, ask questions, and be themselves!
Afternoon spaces still open! Contact [email protected]

M built this house at preschool today. "Here's my house and here's the driveway." Love the smile and look of pride on her face!