Throughout October, our learning experiences were inspired by two special occasions: Thanksgiving and Halloween, providing many opportunities for creativity, teamwork and self-expression. One of the highlights of the month was our Halloween art activity, where the children created friendly ghosts using cotton balls. Each child had the choice to design their ghost independently or ask for support to draw an outline. Some decided to make their own unique shapes, while others followed the educator’s outline. Educator Sree guided the children on how to use glue effectively, showing them how to spread it evenly with their fingertips or the spreader before sticking the cotton balls. They later drew and cut out eyes and mouths from black paper to complete their creations. During this activity, a touching moment occurred when Dami ask Rosa, “Can I help you make the eyes and mouth for you?” Rosa replied, “Yes, you can help me.” After finishing his ghost, he carefully drew what was needed on the black paper and cut it for her, which is a wonderful example of cooperation and kindness. The children showed great focus, creativity and pride as they completed their spooky but fun art pieces to take home. Another classroom favourite this month was playdough time, which naturally encourages creativity and open-ended exploration. The sparkly playdough made by educator Janeth quickly captured the children’s attention and imagination. Although a variety of tools and cutters were provided, most children preferred to create their own unique items such as pizzas, cupcakes, snakes and animals, demonstrating their ability to think creatively and use symbolic representation in play. The experience took an exciting turn when Naomi approached educator Janeth and asked, “Can you help me write ‘Thanksgiving’ with this playdough?” Janeth responded, “Yes,” and with the help, Naomi began shaping each letter using the playdough. As she carefully rolled and formed the dough to create each letter, she engaged in early literacy development and fine motor strengthening. The process helped her recognize letter formation, practice spelling and connect her play to real-world concepts, reinforcing the meaning of the holiday. Other children observed with interest and began attempting their own words and names, turning the activity into a collaborative literacy experience. This playdough activity not only supported the children’s fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination, but also encouraged language development, problem-solving and social-emotional growth. By inviting peers to join in, sharing ideas and celebrating each other’s creations, the children demonstrated confidence, cooperation and a growing sense of belonging in the classroom. As Halloween approaches, the children are filled with excitement and curiosity about what the celebrations will bring. We look forward to seeing their creativity shine through in costumes, activities and new adventures ahead.
