delight, the concept of three-dimensional designs. 

In conjunction with our multi-cultural theme, a Mexican dessert was introduced.  Tortillas “painted” with melted butter and sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar were a feast to the senses!  The children’s excitement was contagious as they anticipated the baking completion of their Mexican treats.  We hope they enjoyed this festive and delicious salute to Mexico! The recipe follows: 

Red and white paint at the easels transformed our “artists” into “scientists” this month.  Our artists learned that by mixing red and white paint they could make pink paint.  What fun  they had!  It was especially delightful to listen to the excitement in their voices as the scientist in them discovered the pink color they created! 

We also had multi-cultural colored crayons available at the easels.  It was fun to try and match these “skin-toned” crayons to our own skin.  It helped us see we are not all exactly the same color.  Also, the children really enjoyed coloring pictures and writing the letters they know.  Up next: white paint and roller stamps. 

Modeling clay was available at the playdough table this month.  

The children discovered right away the differences between clay and playdough.  They thought the clay was harder than playdough and that it had a different texture.  Some of the children really enjoyed molding mountains, dogs, snakes, and hotdogs.  Using clay is a good work-out for their fine motor muscles.  Green playdough is available now in honor of St. Patrick’s Day! 

Our sensory table was filled with a variety of wooden and colored plastic beads of all shapes and sizes with scoops, muffin tins, and string.  What a great activity for fine motor  skills, eye-hand coordination, and math skills.  Some of the children made necklaces with patterns, both simple and complex.  They were so proud of their creations!  There was also lots of counting and sorting of beads into muffin tins.  We love these fun activities that teach all on their own! 

Currently the tables are filled with multi-cultural play people along with a book of houses from around the world and Legos and Lincoln logs to build with.  This provides the children with an opportunity to learn about igloos, mud huts and log cabins, to name a few of the houses they are building.  What fun!  Up next: sand with birds and nests.

The month of March introduced the children to a new math game created by Miss Maryann.  Small paper plates complete with both written and printed numerals, along with stickers representing the numbers were on display.  Large colored dice enhanced the game and an assortment of items  ranging from shells, pencils, clothespins, and red foam hearts provided a valuable visual representation of numbers.  The children discovered various ways to play the game; some using one die while others preferred two and still others viewed it entirely as a matching game, corresponding numbered plates to the appropriate number of items.  Up next will be wooden beads, trays with poles, and pattern cards.

The Science Center was a very busy area this month as the “pendulum” was on display.  A clear plastic pastry bag, suspended above a wooden base filled with colored sand invited the children to examine and explore the distribution of sand.  Scoops aided the children in pouring the purple colored sand into the pastry bag, dispensing it with a swinging motion and ultimately witnessing their creative