The Nurturing Nest Academy ~ Christian Child Care & Preschool ~ January 2023   January's Theme - Baby Animals   Week 1 - Waiting for Babies Learning about baby animals is a topic that children are not only drawn to but can also relate to. Children were once babies as well and have families to help protect them and watch them grow. When discussing baby animals, children are able to learn about how animal parents take care of their young. This is important because it allows children to reflect on their own family roles and dynamics. Teachers can engage children by asking them to think about who is in their families and how they take care of each other. Through these reflections, children are able to acknowledge what they were like as babies and how they have grown. Children may also discover what makes their families unique and special. Letter: Ss. Phonic Words: sock, sun, snake. Basic Concepts: orange, oval, fair.   Mammal Moms Oviparous Animals Helper Dads Birthday Adoption Week 2 - Carrying Babies Animals have special skills when transporting their babies. Like humans, they find ways to carry them safely from place to place. For example, koalas have special pouches to hold their babies while some fish transport their young inside their mouths. When learning about these unique ways to carry babies, children can try to mimic what it would be like to carry baby animals around in different ways. Teachers can help by setting up different gross motor games and spaces for imaginary play. Children can build onto their critical thinking skills as they problem-solve ways to carry a variety of items. Children may also reflect on their own special skills and demonstrate them to their peers. Letter: Cc. Phonic Words: cat, car, carrot.   In the Mouth On the Back In the Pouch On the Chest In the Arms Week 3 - Keeping Babies Safe Humans and animals both protect their young by keeping them close, caring for them if they are sick and creating a safe environment in which to live. For example, the bottlenose dolphin helps keep her calf safe by creating a passageway or wake while swimming in the water. If the mother loses her calf, she calls out a signature whistle. When learning about protective animal parents, children can reflect on safety rules taught by their own families and communities. This may include holding someone's hand while crossing the road or establishing a meeting area if there is a fire. Teachers can also use this as a segue into discussing classroom safety rules. Teachers can quickly find out children's prior knowledge about safety and then review the classroom's rules. Letter: Rr. Phonic Words: rabbit, raccoon, rainbow.   Veterinarian Visit Staying Close Danger Calls Safe Home Protective Parents Week 4 - How Babies Change Children can relate to the concept of change because they have experienced it in their own lives. Teachers can help children reflect on how they have changed by getting taller, growing smarter and becoming more agile. These reflections help children become more self-aware and build their confidence by acknowledging what they can do now as compared to when there were babies. Children can also self-reflect about how they feel within their own communities. Begin the conversation by asking such questions as "What places do you like to visit in your community?" and "Who do you see in your neighborhood?" By inquiring about their communities, children can have opportunities to share their experiences and knowledge with others. Letter Review: Ss, Cc, Rr. Phonic Words Review: sock, sun, snake, cat, car, carrot, rabbit, racoon, rainbow. Basic Concepts Review: orange, oval, fair.   Growing Bigger Growing Stronger Growing Smarter Growing Braver Belonging to a Community To learn more about what we will do in January, please use the buttons on the left.          Copyright - The Nurturing Nest All Rights Reserved