Small Steps Daycare and Preschool

Watching children paint firework art with forks is pure joy. Armed with just paint and forks, they transform simple strokes into dazzling explosions of color. Each child’s unique touch turns the canvas into a vibrant sky, filled with bursts of creativity. It's amazing how such a simple tool can ignite their imagination, making art time as thrilling as a real fireworks show!

Bouncy Ball Fun at Daycare: A Day of Learning and Play!

Today at daycare, we had an exciting and educational activity: making bouncy balls using a special kit that included colorful crystal powder and molds! This hands-on project was a hit with the children, who were thrilled to create their own toys from scratch.

What Was in the Kit:
- 25 bags of colored crystal powder
- 5 molds for shaping the balls
- Cups for water

Steps We Followed:

1. Selecting the Colors: Each child selected two bags of brightly colored crystal powder, allowing them to choose their favorite colors and express their creativity.

2. Filling the Molds: The children poured the crystal powder from their chosen bags into one of the five provided molds, creating unique color combinations.

3. Submerging the Molds: Once the molds were filled with the colored crystal powder, we submerged them in individual cups of water for 2 minutes. The children watched in awe as the powder absorbed the water and began to set.

4. Setting and Drying: After submerging, we let the molds sit for 10-15 minutes to fully harden and dry. The children eagerly anticipated the final result, practicing patience and anticipation.

5. Unmolding and Bounce Time: Once the bouncy balls were ready, the children carefully removed them from the molds and tested their creations. They delighted in seeing how high their balls could bounce, learning about elasticity and motion through play.

Benefits of the Bouncy Ball Activity:

1. STEM Learning:
- Science: Children learned about chemical reactions and the properties of materials, enhancing their understanding of basic scientific principles.

- Technology & Engineering: Using the kit's tools and following instructions introduced concepts of precision and problem-solving.

- Mathematics: Measuring ingredients and timing the submerging and setting process reinforced their numeracy skills.

2. Creativity and Artistry:
- Choosing their own color combinations allowed the children to express themselves creatively and enjoy visually appealing results.

3. Sensory Development:
- The activity involved various textures and sensations, which is excellent for sensory development in young children.

4. Fine Motor Skills:
- Pouring the powder into molds and removing the balls helped improve dexterity and coordination.

5. Social Skills:
- Sharing the molds and working together in small groups encouraged teamwork, communication, and patience.

6. Confidence Building:
- Successfully creating a toy from scratch boosted the children’s self-esteem and sense of accomplishment.

Using the kit made the process straightforward and ensured that all the necessary materials were at hand. This allowed us to focus on guiding the children and enhancing their learning experience. The children left with their new toys and a greater appreciation for science and creativity. We look forward to more exciting projects that combine learning with play!

Dear Nikki and Nathaniel Burkey,

I wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt thanks for the wonderful birthday gifts you gave me. Your thoughtfulness and generosity truly touched my heart. It means so much to me that you took the time to celebrate my special day.

Working with Hannah and being a part of your family’s journey is a gift in itself. I am deeply grateful for the trust and kindness you continuously show. Thank you once again for making my birthday so memorable.

With warmest regards,
Amanda Hall

🌟 At Small Steps Daycare and Preschool, we believe that play is the foundation of a child's development! 🌟

Playtime isn't just fun—it's a critical part of learning and growing. Through play, children develop their cognitive abilities, physical skills, social interactions, and emotional strength. From solving puzzles to playing pretend, every moment of play is a step towards a brighter, more capable future.

Small Steps Daycare and Preschool, where learning and play go hand in hand! 🧸🌈

Http://www.bookitprogram.com

Struggling with the cost of childcare? If so I encourage you to apply for a Child Care Scholarship through Child Care Network’s Family Support Program. There is an interest form that will get you started and it can be accessed on the Child Care Network’s website: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=oWUeoxjZrUOl0iMI0vp-IrztlTtpEupMipMv4wXOL-JUQkE0VEhPNzAxSFg0WExLVVhaSVdROUVQNyQlQCN0PWcu

Happy Mother’s Day to all the wonderful mothers 💐 🌺 🌸 🌹 💜 💖

☀️🪟📣 🤣

https://youtu.be/hyf5JF_VxwM?feature=

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Happy Easter 🐰 from Small Steps Daycare and Preschool

Just received all of the extra food that we purchased to stock our grocery store shelves!!! So exciting😊

A BIG THANK YOU to Amber and Duane for their generous gifts to Small Steps Daycare! The kids love the new grocery store ❤️ 🛒 🫑 🍅 🍌 💳 💰

❤️

Young children learn best through play!

C is for cat🐈

Stickers are fun for kids and have educational benefits! They can promote creative thinking, reasoning, and understanding. The peeling of stickers helps with fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination, which strengthens a child's ability to write and draw. Stickers can also help build confidence and independence by tapping into a child's areas of interest.

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Everyday is a good day at Small Steps Daycare and Preschool

We had a lot of fun painting and creating today 🤩 🎨

It’s starting to look a lot like Christmas at Small Steps Daycare 🎄 🎁 ❄️ ⛄️

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Here our the turkeys disguised as other things so that they don’t get eaten for Thanksgiving! We have a minion, a rainbow 🌈, a bucket of delicious popcorn 🍿, and last but not least is a gato 🐈‍⬛! Great job and thank you to the families who participated in this activity with their children, we appreciate it ❤️

Today we read the book Turkey Trouble. I am sending home a Turkey for each family to disguise along with their child! Have fun and I can’t wait to see all of the turkeys in their disguise 🦃 🥸

Turkey is in trouble. Bad trouble. The kind of trouble where it’s almost Thanksgiving…and you’re the main course.
But Turkey has an idea―what if he doesn’t look like a turkey? What if he looks like another animal instead?
After many hilarious attempts, Turkey comes up with the perfect disguise to make this Thanksgiving the best ever!
You can watch the Turkey Trouble read aloud on YouTube with your child or borrow the book from your local library.
https://youtu.be/rsgEv5l_gzY?feature=shared

Halloween party 2023!!! Happy Halloween 👻 🎃