The children of Hazel Drive Early Childhood Center continue to learn, grow and have fun as we make our way through the winter months.  Our days are filled with precious moments as sparkling as the icicles and as glittery as the snow!

The children have been enjoying our snowy yard!  Miss Laura has been busy with the snow shovel, cutting trails in the deep snow.  A line of "penguins" in brightly colored snow suits can often be seen waddling and winding their way along the snowy corridors!  Now and then they'll stop to watch Miss Gloria create a face in the snow by placing colorful paper shapes to be the ojos (eyes), nariz (nose) and boca (mouth).  Buttons, scarves and hats complete the little frosty amigos, and crowds of  cute little snow people are popping up.  Sometimes the penguins reach a "room" at the end of a trail, complete with snowy benches carved into the snow!

Some of our artistic endeavors have been a reflection of the season as well.  They  learned about circles and squares in the making of paper and glue versions of snowmen and of our friend Mr. Ice Cubes who lights up our cubby room. The children assembled  paper snow people on the rug using many shapes and colors.  They learned the parts of the cara (face) in Spanish, and these snowmen had brazos (arms) resembling tree limbs!  Our other art activities have included various media: chalk on black paper, crayons, markers, painting (and mixing) with two colors of tempera paint, and colorful collages of paper and glue.

Music is an important component of each day.  A CD playing provides opportunities for spontaneous singing or dancing, and a wonderful backdrop for activities such as play dough, water table and art.  The children are encouraged to sit at the Rainbow Piano and play nicely with their fingers.  Ludwig, the music-loving sock puppet, asks the children to find the colors on the piano keyboard.  Songs accompanied by Miss Laura on piano or guitar have everyone exercising, singing, dancing and laughing!  Some of our favorites are "The Train is A-Coming" (complete with tickets getting punched), "Teddy Bear" (they love to walk the dog, cat, mouse and...elephant!) , and "Bingo" with the woofing dogs!  Music is also a wonderful teaching tool, as the children learn their colors in English and Spanish with the " Spanish Colors Song."

May you find joy in the shining gifts of the winter season!  Keep warm!

Miss Laura and Miss Gloria