Spring Hollow Early Learning Center

Having a blast on Week 1 of our June Summer Camp: Nature Encounter! We did all kinds of nature fun...investigated and observed insects, went to the creek, smashed floral ingredients onto napkins to make nature tapestries, had s'mores, learned about geodes, learned about and created habitats, went on a nature scavenger hunt, and more. The week also included fun with chalks (creating potion, paste, etc), swinging, digging, biking, and of course, lots of water activities! The hot, humid weather was perfect for some sprinklers, water slide, and water tables. What a nature-rific week!!

Spring on this side of TN means lots and lots of rain! At Spring Hollow, we dance...and ride bike, and slide, and swing, and splash, and jump in the rain! Plenty of discoveries, too! Really, just having a good ol' fun time😁

Trip to the creek! It's a nice bonus to have a creek running through our property. We splashed around; transported water back and forth, up and down the creek; found all kinds of animals and plants; went in the tunnel; swung on the tire swing; had picnic snack by the creek; climbed up and down the tree; and more. There was so much that the children had to say during our reflection time: "A friend helped pull me up from the creek," "I saw a snake! I thought it was a snake but it was a big stick." "I saw a pretty purple flower and purple is my favorite color." "When I was afraid to come down from the tree, my friend helped me." "The water was nice and cold!" "I got really wet, but I'm ok!" Everyone was eager to share their experience. It's always so much fun when we visit the creek!

Children love to squeeze glue! There is something mesmerizing about watching it drip and spread. We've been exploring this idea at Spring Hollow by using glue as an art medium unto itself. So far we've created individual sun catchers to take home, and a large framed piece to catch the light in our classroom window!

Want to try it? Add color of your choice to glue (clear glue creates jewel tones, white glue creates pastels) and start squeezing!

Check out the book, "Too Much Glue" by Jason Lefebvre for a silly story about getting messy and exploring with glue!

Our annual Spring Hollow bonfire is this Saturday, October 6th, at 5:00! Bring hot dogs and buns for your family and s'mores ingredients or a dish to share. We hope to see all of current and past families there! (Alumni, if you did not receive an email and would like to be added to our alumni email list, please let me know.)

We invite you to continue your support of Spring Hollow by participating in two fundraising events! Usborne Books will have a table available during our bonfire - please stop by the front porch to shop! If you're unable to attend, you can also shop at this link: https://f5090.myubam.com/

We are also participating in Tea School Days beginning October 8th! Look for more information soon!

We have a large wooden see-saw on the playground. It gets quite a bit of use, sometimes as an actual see-saw, but more often as shown in these photos. An experiment in balance, cooperation, and numeracy. As they moved, they called out the new configuration, "Three vs. 2" or "Five vs. 1" or "Six vs. 0." There seemed to be an unspoken rule that the child on the back, the last to climb on, was the self-appointed counter. They didn't squabble over who stood where, but seemed content to enjoy each new arrangement briefly, before eagerly hopping or scooting into a new position. I didn't give them prompts, questions, or reminders to be careful - and they didn't need me to. Such a wonderful visual of how children use their bodies to learn!

Over the past few weeks, we've seen an interest in maps develop. Treasure maps, trail maps, maps of the zoo, road maps, and maps of animal habitats and imaginary kingdoms have all been part of our play. This week we introduced a few collaborative map-making activities.

Not only does mapping incorporate a number of skills, but it captures their imaginations as well! You can go anywhere with a map!

By the way, did you know that the increased use of gps in today's society has been shown to have a negative effect on our ability to read a map, remember a route, understand a compass, and gather peripheral information? So the next time your family travels, consider putting away the phone and plotting your route ahead of time!

Word is spreading fast about Spring Hollow Summer Camp, and many weeks have limited availability! Register your child now to reserve a spot!

Spring Hollow Early Learning Center | SUMMER CAMP Spring Hollow's is a pre-school that encourage acceptance, collaboration and creative expression. Ages 3-5

One afternoon, towards the very end of the day, someone asked for the water table to be turned on. We turn it on most every day, regardless of weather, because invariably someone needs water for making potions or soup or washing cars or simply pouring it out. Getting wet and muddy is a common occurrence around here. However, this was an especially warm day, the first sun we'd had in a while, and for some reason, turning on the water table produced an almost instantaneous sense of overwhelming joy for the group. We added some soap to the table, and soon bubbles were over flowing as well. From all over the playground, children dropped what they were doing and flocked to the water area. They plunged their hands in as if it were a brand new experience. Someone created a song, which was picked up and repeated like a chant by all the others. "Water, water, everywhere. On my feet and in the air! Everywhere and everyday, we can play, play, play!" They forgot the rules and took off their shoes & boots, stomping and splashing in the mud created by the overflow. One boy told me, "You should really try the water. It's great!" A girl said, "A water party! We're having a water party! This is the best day of my life!" This went on and on, much past the time that we should have cleaned up at the end of the day. Finally, out of time, we had to turn it off, and sit along the grassy hill to dry off in the sun. We had to scramble to get changed, to put our shoes back on, to be ready to go home.

In the weeks since, this group often asks for a water party. Such a simple thing, but still it sticks in their minds. These are the moments we love at Spring Hollow - the ones where we slow down, enjoy what's around us, laugh together, maybe even bend the rules a little.

On Friday we learned a new word - "foraging". This was a delightful and unexpected lesson; we walked to the field next door to take a look at the daffodils blooming and found ourselves in the midst of dandelions as well.

Some of you know our much loved guinea pig, Bolt. He dearly loves fresh greens and it is always a special moment when a child brings in veggies from home to share with him.

Dandelion greens are also a tasty and healthy treat for Bolt, so we soon began the task of collecting as many of the greens as we could. All around the field, children dropped to their knees at the sight of the bright yellow blooms, gathering those "for their moms" and the greens for Bolt. It was quiet in the field, some so caught up with their foraging that they forgot to keep up with their friends. Others worked in small clusters, holding up each new find with pride.

Some children tasted the greens themselves, while others also learned what wild onions taste like!

In the end, we had many bouquets for moms and a basket of greens for Bolt. He enjoyed them thoroughly, eating his fill and then settling in for a little nap!