The Preschool crowd

When we start school next week, Rosie will officially be a 'preschooler' Wow-what happened to my baby?
The last few months I have been busy making plans for my eldest, Elianna, but also for her 'big-little' sister Rose (big-little sister is how she likes to be known; she is not a 'little' girls, or a 'little' sister!). Rose is happy, as long as she is doing pretty much the same thing as her older sister, but sometimes her attention span wanes. so, here are my plans to keep her occupied:
this year, we will be begin studying The Mystery of History. For the most part, Rosie will be able to join in with us, but, if it requires too much of her, then she can have 'carpet time' - this requires her to sit on her little rug & quietly play with one of the items from her 'school box'. This is a tub I have put together that contains a selection of activities that dont require direct supervision. Each day, I will just need to grab one of the packs from the tub & away we go :)
here is our list:
coins & a piggy bank
Crayons & black construction paper
Scissors & paper(with no particular intention)
Lacing cards
Montessori Tower
Button box & ice cube tray
Magnet & paperclips, washers, nails etc plus non-magnetic items.
Post-it notes & pencil
Rosie’s notebook
Puzzles
Stickers & little book
pouring beans
File folder games.
Some beautiful shapes & a glue stick



Here is a must read article for parents of preschoolers. Lovely & inspiring.

The second major addition for Rosie is a Sensory Table.
Together, we scrubbed down & hosed off our outdoor water table & now it is sitting in our conservatory; just waiting to be filled with exciting things for little fingers to explore. My intention is to tie it in as much as possible with our monthly nature themes &/or the liturgical season.
For example, or first theme is a Beach/Seashell theme, so our table will be filled with sand, some wonderful seashells, spoons & little pudding bowls (to make sandcastles with, of course!)

If you are not sure where to begin making your own table, have a look at this amazing resource: Your ultimate guide to sensory tables.