Splash Child Enrichment Centre Newsletter 2025

Nursery / Kinder

Happy New Year!

The beginning of January came in gently weather wise and the children were able to enjoy some snow fun, continuing to build on the forts that had been started on winter break and continuing to work with the snow saws and shovels to manipulate the snow in various ways. We also brought some art outside by repurposing dried out markers and bringing them new life by coloring the snow.

On cooler days, temperature dropping beyond safe outdoor play temperatures, we brought that same sensory manipulative play indoors, with water tables, snow tables, arctic play provocation, construction play provocations, kinetic sand, fake snow and others to allow this groups that type of play they need.

The children were provided with dried-up markers again and used them to colour the snow. As they worked, they observed the snow melting and colours mixing together to create new shades. This experience encouraged scientific thinking, observation, and inquiry as the children explored change and cause and effect.

An interest displayed on the Titanic got us learning more about the ship and ice and icebergs through books and videos. Reflecting the weather, our preschoolers also created various snow related artwork, using cool tones in painting, creating snowman, and snow flakes, painting with ice cubes. After reading The Mitten, we worked on sequencing by reflecting back to what order the animals entered the mitt.

Inspired by Titanic

The group has shown a continued interest in the physics of rolling and cars. With this in mind, we have set up different ways of exploring and expanding on that interest. With the use of tape for building roads, bridges, and cars, with a focus on learning about different types of bridges through hands-on play.

Bridges were first introduced using see-through packing tape. The children used the tape to connect different roads and, as they experimented with the material, they discovered that the underside of the tape was sticky. Some children creatively used this discovery to attach toy characters to the bottom of the tape, demonstrating curiosity, experimentation, and problem-solving skills as they explored how materials work.

Based on observations of the children’s interests, a construction provocation was set up in our tuff tray using dirt, pinecones, and small construction vehicles. The children used their imagination to dig, pour, and manipulate the loose materials, engaging in sensory exploration and creative construction while developing fine motor skills and cooperative play.

Constructuon Activity

During lunch hour, the children have had opportunities to help set the tables, earning Splash Cash in preparation for our upcoming cash-out days on January 23 for the Wolves and January 26 for the Bears. This responsibility supports independence, teamwork, and a sense of belonging within the classroom community.

Early Letter Writing

Our preschoolers have also continued with name recognition, organizing their letters to build a name snowman and started some early letter writing. We plan to work on more literacy skills, especially with I Love to Read, next month.

On January 26, we will be celebrating Robert Burns Day. The children will enjoy oatmeal muffins, listen to Scottish music, and design their own tartans, supporting cultural awareness and creative expression.

Looking ahead to February, we will be celebrating I Love to Read Month, Black History Month, Festival du Voyageur, and Lunar New Year through a variety of meaningful and engaging activities.

We hope you have been able to stay warm this month. We'd love to see you or family members out to read with the children as a guest reader for I Love to Read next month.