Weekly Update January 9 - Our Around the World Adventure Begins!

Reminders:

• January 19th - MLK, Jr. Day - NO SCHOOL

• February 16-20 - February Vacation - NO SCHOOL

Exploring Antarctica Through Play: A Week of Discovery at Fox Hill School

At Fox Hill School, we believe preschoolers learn best through hands-on experiences, meaningful stories, and joyful exploration. This week, our classrooms were filled with curiosity and creativity as we traveled to the coldest continent on Earth—Antarctica! Through literacy, art, sensory play, music, and special guest visits, children built knowledge, skills, and confidence in developmentally appropriate ways.

Focus Book of the Week: Here Is Antarctica by Madeleine Dunphy

Our focus book for the week was Here Is Antarctica by Madeleine Dunphy, a beautifully illustrated nonfiction picture book that introduces young children to the icy landscapes, wildlife, and unique environment of Antarctica. The book explains what makes Antarctica special, including its extreme cold, towering icebergs, and animals like penguins and seals that are specially adapted to live there.

Reading nonfiction texts like this supports early literacy by building vocabulary, background knowledge, and listening comprehension. It also encourages preschoolers to ask questions, make connections, and develop an early understanding of science and geography.

Creative Art Experiences: Icebergs and Penguins

Art activities this week were inspired by our Antarctica theme and designed to strengthen fine motor skills and creativity.

Children created iceberg multimedia art using chalk pastels to draw icy shapes and glue with tissue paper to represent the surrounding ocean. Through this process, they learned that Antarctica has icebergs and explored color blending, texture, and spatial awareness.

In Art class on Monday, we practiced cutting and gluing while creating adorable penguins. These skills are essential for preschoolers as they build hand strength, coordination, and control needed for writing and self-care tasks.

Sensory Exploration and Playdough Collaboration

Our sensory table featured cotton balls and white stuffing, giving children a tactile way to explore textures that resemble snow and ice. Sensory play supports brain development, language growth, and emotional regulation while inviting open-ended exploration.

After returning from winter break, we also made a fresh batch of playdough together. Children learned how to read and follow a simple recipe, take turns, measure ingredients, and work as a team. Making playdough encourages cooperation, early math concepts, and responsibility—plus it gives children a material they love to use for strengthening their hands and expressing creativity.

Learning From Our Community: Special Guest Visits

We were delighted to welcome Ms. Terri, a Fox Hill School alumni parent, who came to read stories about animals in winter. These meaningful community connections help children see reading as a joyful, shared experience and reinforce concepts they are learning in the classroom.

We also had a visit from a dental hygienist, who taught us how to brush our teeth properly and which foods help keep our teeth healthy—and which foods we should enjoy in moderation. Learning about health and self-care empowers preschoolers to develop lifelong habits and builds confidence in caring for their own bodies.

Music and Movement: Kindermusik’s Jazz Kitchen

In Music class, we began our first Kindermusik unit, Jazz Kitchen. In this playful and engaging lesson, children explore rhythm, tempo, and musical expression through jazz-inspired songs and movement. They practice listening, following directions, and responding to musical cues while developing coordination and a sense of beat.

Kindermusik supports early childhood development by strengthening language skills, social interaction, and emotional expression—all while having fun making music together.

Science in Action: Exploring Ice and Habitats in Antarctica

To deepen our understanding of Antarctica’s icy habitat, we conducted hands-on science experiments that encouraged observation, prediction, and discovery. Children explored what happens to ice under different conditions by observing two ice pieces—one left to melt on its own and another sprinkled with salt. This simple experiment introduced early scientific thinking as children noticed changes, asked questions, and learned that salt can make ice melt faster.

We also explored ice through creative experimentation. Children painted ice cubes with liquid paint, discovering how colors move and change on cold surfaces. They used frozen paint pops to paint, strengthening fine motor skills while experiencing temperature, texture, and cause-and-effect.

Another favorite activity was chipping away at blocks of ice to uncover mystery items frozen inside, promoting problem-solving, perseverance, and curiosity.

These science activities help preschoolers build foundational STEM skills while connecting directly to what they are learning about Antarctica’s environment. Through playful exploration, children develop a deeper understanding of the natural world and confidence in their ability to investigate it.

This week at Fox Hill School was a wonderful example of how preschool learning is woven across subjects—from literacy and art to sensory play, health education, and music. By exploring Antarctica together, our students expanded their understanding of the world while building essential skills that will support their growth now and in the years ahead.