Creating in Clay It started with a box of air-dry clay. The kids loved it. They made all manner of things--from doughnuts to turtles, to colorfully-painted beads. They had such a good time working with the clay that we knew we had to go deeper. Fortunately, right across the street from PIC is the...

The Silent Coyote Summer-time in a pre-k classroom is a time of many transitions. While some Grasshoppers move on to summer camp, others might stay in the classroom until kindergarten begins, or perhaps a child is in pre-kindergarten for two years. With all that movement, there is bound to be a...

Our Pet Dragon When we brought our new hamster into the classroom in March we spent a week or so brainstorming names at morning meeting: Hamster, Hairy, Prince, Softy, Pillow, Carpet, Speedy, Princess, Dragon, Cat, Cow, Fluffy..and so on. We took a secret ballot and settled on Dragon (with Prince as...

Simple is Best a paper study This September the Doodlebugs began our study of paper. The first stage of our study was touch. The teachers made a collection of various types of paper to provide variety. The children were invited to feel the different textures by squeezing, tearing, and tossing the...

written by Fireflies teacher Michael Roach. All summer long, the composition of PIC classrooms has changed. Many students transitioned to new classes, which means that they had to navigate new environments, learn new routines, catch up on established rules and get to know lots of new people. This is...

Taking trips near and far The Starlights were super busy this summer taking trips both near and far. Locally, we saw wildlife, masterpieces, mummies, and real history when we visited the Bio-Pond, Institute of Contemporary Art, University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archeology, and the Woodlands. At...

When feelings show At PIC, summer is full to the brim with transitions. In our classroom Roadrunners from the last year are moving up, and new children are joining our class. As parents and teachers know well, transitions can be challenging for children. For your child, leaving their familiar...

Playing in modern times Keys, phone, and a wallet full of cards…these are the ubiquitous tools of modern times. The Moonbeams are aware of their importance in the lives of adults, and that awareness has trickled into their play. The teachers have amassed a collection of expired bus passes, zero...

written by Assistant Teacher Latosha Green What's happening in the Caterpillars? Change! Well, it’s transition time throughout the Center and there happens to be many changes in the Caterpillar room. The older Caterpillars are moving up, new Caterpillars are coming in and we have some coming back...

Summer is upon us! This summer, I am thrilled to be back at the Parent-Infant Center PIC for my second year as the Summer Camp Leader. we are already in the third week of camp having survived our first heat wave; it’s official: summer is upon us! And what a summer it’s shaping up to be! Last week we...