Little Squirrels Child Care
Little Squirrels Child Care
There’s a buzz of excitement in the air at Little Squirrels Child Care. We’ve officially launched our Bug Unit! Rooted in hands-on exploration and child-led learning, our environment is full of rich opportunities for discovery. We’ve transformed our space to spark curiosity and invite little minds to investigate the incredible world of bugs!
One of the highlights of our setup has been the bug investigation lab. Our kitchen area has been completely reimagined! With tools, charts, specimens, and more, the children are stepping into the shoes of tiny entomologists, investigating and imagining with joy and focus.
Our fine motor station has been a huge hit too, where little hands work hard to clip bugs onto a potted plant. This not only strengthens finger muscles but also encourages concentration and creativity. Nearby, children are busy with bee sorting, a Montessori-inspired transfer activity that’s all about coordination and care. The older kids are using tongs and tweezers for this, and the little ones are just using their hands.
In the sensory bin, fake grass and bug figures offer a world of tactile and messy exploration. Magnifying glasses are always in hand children are examining bugs up close, whether it’s at the sensory table or outdoors on bug hunts. These tools have been a favorite for the kids, giving them a sense of control and genuine curiosity about the small creatures around them.
We’ve also introduced bug color matching, bug letters and sounds, and even bug puzzles. The puzzles have been particularly challenging for our group, but we’ve been so proud to see the determination and persistence in each child. They’re not giving up. They’re problem-solving, helping each other, and celebrating every little success.
We’re also learning how to be gentle observers of nature. At Little Squirrels, we teach the children to respect all living beings, even the tiniest ones. We don’t kill bugs. Instead, we talk about their role in nature, observe them safely, and always release them back to their homes. It’s a big part of how we nurture empathy and responsibility.
Other favorites this week include:
Finger painting bug jars
Singing songs like “The Ants Go Marching” and “Here Is the Beehive”
Daily bug hunts and observations in our yard
Mother’s Day Fun in the Dirt
We also had a wonderful time preparing our Mother’s Day gifts! The children loved digging into the dirt (literally!) to plant flowers for their moms. We started indoors due to some chilly spring weather, but the muddy fun quickly moved outside. It was the perfect way to combine sensory play with an act of love.
As the weather warms up, we’re thrilled to move more and more learning outdoors where bugs, gardens, and sunshine are waiting! We’ve also made an exciting addition to our outdoor space, fresh layer of pea gravel in the backyard! This has quickly become a favorite among the children. With the addition of a kid-sized wheelbarrow, shovels, buckets, and a variety of scooping cups (recycled and reused items of course), the kids have been fully immersed in imaginative, hands-on play. Whether they’re hauling loads in the wheelbarrow, digging deep with their shovels, or carefully pouring gravel from cup to cup, there’s been no shortage of joy and creativity. It’s the perfect invitation for open-ended play that builds fine motor skills, encourages teamwork, and provides endless hours of fun.
Exciting News!
Next week, we’re welcoming butterfly larvae from Insect Lore to Little Squirrels! The children will have the chance to witness the incredible transformation of caterpillars into butterflies, a real-time lesson in metamorphosis. Once our butterflies have emerged, we’ll set them free together.
This will also be the perfect lead-in to our next learning adventure: gardening and discovering how important bugs are as pollinators and helpers in the garden. We can’t wait to dig deeper!
Stay tuned for more updates from our Little Squirrels explorers!
Warmly,
Ms Sarah
May the world be filled with beautiful, peaceful little children.
Book Wishlist
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Supplies Wishlist
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