Slimy Squash

We explored squash today in our classroom!  First we read a book called "Pumpkin, Pumpkin" by Jeanne Tetherington which helped us to understand the life cycle of a pumpkin. Then we discussed how pumpkins and squash are very similar. Children had a chance to pass around four different types and describe what they saw, felt, and smelled. These types were butternut, buttercup, acorn, and spaghetti. After being passed around, the squash were halved and placed at the science center along with scissors, tweezers, scoops, magnifying glasses, and collection trays.

"Tell me about what you did with the squash..."

In addition to helping children explore the life cycle and properties of squash and pumpkins, this activity promoted cooperation and oral language opportunities as children were required to work together on this task. The use of tweezers, magnifying glasses, scissors, and scoopers helped to strengthen their fine motor skills, promoting future writing readiness.

Successful Scissoring!

Have you ever wondered why young children have difficulty working with scissors? Managing scissors requires that a child combine fine motor skills - control and coordination of small muscles, especially hands, wrists and eyes - with an intellectual task.

Closely related to motor development is physical growth and brain development. As the body grows physically and the brain develops, children are able to perform more intricate motor skills.

Most children are eager to cut with scissors. If a child is reluctant, it is probably because the child is not ready. A prerequisite to cutting with scissors is tearing so we should allow young children many opportunities to practise tearing paper and materials such as lettuce and clay prior to teaching them how to use scissors.

When introducing kids to scissors, we first discuss safety rules and provide each child with appropriately designed scissors (initially with rounded points). So that we at school and you at home can work together on this skills, here is our approach to showing children how to use scissors. Show them how to hold the scissors. Have them practise opening and closing the scissors several times before they try to cut paper. Show children how to hold the paper in one hand and the scissors in the other, to open the scissors and slip the paper between the blades, close the blades, then open them. Encourage your child to keep his or her elbow down, and to cut away from their body.

Let your child practise snipping small pieces of paper, old wrapping paper, greeting cards, catalogues, and pieces of junk mail that will be tossed in the recycling bin. As children develop proficiency, let them practice by cutting picture from magazines, cutting along a straight line, and cutting along a curved line.