During this investigation we explored shadows with our light projector. What a better way to learn about anything than relating it back to dinosaurs? Right? some friends cut out their own dinosaurs to play with the shadows on the wall. Other friends traced a "mama T-rex" and later decorated her with all kinds of wonderful colors. Check her out on the hallway heading to the toddler room. 

Some of the Colorado Early Learning and Development Guidelines targeted during this investigation include:

• Symbolic Representation: The use of symbols or objects to represent something else.
• Art: The use of a range of media and materials to create drawings, pictures, or other objects. 
• Initiative and Curiosity: An interest in varied topics and activities, a desire to learn, creativity, and independence in learning. 

It you have been around preschool students, you must be aware of the fact that these kids LOVE dinosaurs! Therefore we started a play area specifically designated for dinosaur explorations. With an old pool, some dirt, cat grass, plastic dinosaurs and some willing workers; this project is well on it's way! Feel free to donate any plastic dinosaurs or related items that could serve a purpose in our new "dino-playarea". Looking forward to the evolution of this project.

Some of the targeted Colorado Early and Development Guidelines include:

• Gross Motor Skills: The control of large muscle movement, navigation, and balance.
• Self-Concept and Self-Efficacy: The perception that one is capable of successfully making decisions, accomplishing tasks, and meeting goals. 
• Persistance and Attentiveness: The ability to begin and finish activities with persistence and attention. 
• Cooperation: An interest and engagement in group experiences. 

The preschool playground officially has a mud kitchen! Thanks for all the families that donated supplies for this project. So far it's a success and the kids love "cooking" outside. Also, we took advantage of our sunny day on Thursday and washed all our chairs! Kids have never napped better, let me tell you, hard work gets them snoring! 

We got into a summer mood this week at NRP. With a scavenger hunt and a lovely hike, the kids enjoyed a sunny day around the school property. During this activity we engaged in physical activity while nurturing the minds by searching for natural objects in our local ecosystem. In groups of two each team avidly searched for rocks, insects, and different types of vegetation, and checked them off their scavenging list. So much fun! We highly recomend trying this activity at home as a family. 

Some of the Colorado Early Learning and Development Guidelines we addressed during this activity include:

• Social Relationships: The healthy relationships and interactions with adults and peers. 
• Physical Health Status: The maintenance of healthy and age appropriate physical wellbeing. 
• Scientific Skills and Method; The skills to observe and collect information and use it to ask questions, predict, explain, and draw conclusions.