Meals and Snack Time:

The sun room is offered 2 meals and 1 snack through our new CACFP program. Children get exposed to new foods such as hummus, quesadillas, and meatloaf as they appear on our menu. Children get to practice using an open faced cup with milk at breakfast and lunch time. Children are also offered utensils to practice their fine motor skills. We encourage our children to be social at the table and practice proper eating etiquette 

Physical Activity:

Children in the sun room get to go outside to either the playground or porch 2 times a day weather permitting. Our children love swinging, pushing each other in the cars, and playing with balls. 

In the classroom, teachers offer dance parties with scarves, riding on rockers, and climbing on our wooden steps that also can be converted into a boat for children who have big body energy. 

Sensory Exploration:

Our blue sensory table in the classroom is always open and has been filled with fun things such as water with lilacs, a variety of cloths and clothing, and large beads with pipe cleaners. Children also have the opportunity to finger paint, utilize the classroom cozy spaces, and use teething chewies as needed during the day. 

Creative Play:

The sun room classroom has a variety of toys that allow children to use their imagination such as colored cardboard blocks, magnetic tiles, and our kitchen set. Children have the ability to engage with peers or play solo if they desire.

Music and Movement:

The sun friends love a good dance party! Our “sleeping bunnies” and “zoom zoom” songs are classroom favorites. During circle time we sing our good morning song, finger play songs that the children request that day and our shoe song to let children know it is time to transition to breakfast time. Our teachers are constantly singing tunes as children respond well to directions that are sung.

Language and Cognitive Development:

            The teachers in the sun room focus on clear concise statements that children can use with their peers and teachers when they need or desire something. An example of this would be “help please” or “my toy”. Teachers model and encourage positive language during all times of the day so children are constantly being exposed.

Fine Motor Skills:

          Children are able to experiment with different types of fine motor skills during different times of the day. During meal times children are offered utensils to practice eating with. 

           During art exploration children are exposed to materials such as markers, child safe scissors, playdough, and paint brushes to help build and  further their fine motor abilities. 

          During diapering and potty times, children are encouraged to “pinch and pull” either their diapers or pants down and up to work on independence in the bathroom. 

Gross Motor Skills:

         Our classroom has many different toys such as soft mats and a climbing bridge that our children love to make paths all around the classroom to walk, run, and jump on. 

          When children go outside to the playground or porch there are climbers, swings, and slides that challenge children in different ways to grow and further their gross motor skills and abilities. 

Social Interaction:

       We encourage our children to be social with peers and teachers during the day. Teacher model language for the children to practice on their own. 

     Our schedule offers many times during the day where children are in a large group setting that encourage dual conversations such as circle time, art explorations, and meal times.  

Rest and Nap Time:

        Each child in our room has their own labeled nap mat and bedding from home. We encourage our child to assist in setting up their mat before sitting down at the lunch table. Soothing music is turned on and the classroom curtains are pulled to create the perfect nap environment. 

Self-Care and Independence:

       Our children are encouraged to clean up their plates and cups after meal times. If they can they are asked to put their outdoor shoes on when it is time to go outside. Children are also given the chance to wash their hands and wipes their faces before and after meals. After our PM snack children are given their toothbrushes and brush their teeth independently while teacher sing our tooth brushing song.