Having Fun in the Sun(flower)

During the summer months, the Toddler Bunnies often watered the sunflowers that were growing on the Infant/Toddler playground. After the seasons changed and the petals fell off the sunflower, we brought one of the sunflower heads into and let the children investigate the parts of the sunflower. Many of the children enjoyed feeling the texture of the plant and the seeds. When we finished, the whole class went outside and left sunflower seeds on the ground to feed the birds and squirrels who are preparing for winter.

Exploring an Etrog

Eli and Zoe watch closely as Terese cuts open the etrog.

The Toddler Bunnies enjoy opportunities to learn about the world around them. after Sukkot, the toddlers got a chance to explore the inside of an etrog. The etrog is the fruit of the citron tree and closely resembles a lemon. We told the children that "It's the lemon's cousin." The children got to feel, smell, and taste the etrog. Later we put part of the etrog (the part that we didn't use to explore) in the slow cooker with some water, filling the whole room with a citrus scent. We attempted to make etrog jam. Here is the recipe and the finished product below.

Etrog Jam

• 1 Etrog (citrus)
• 1 Orange
• Sugar
• Water

Rinse the Etrog and orange. Cut them lengthwise and slice them very thinly. Remove the seeds. Soak the fruit overnight. Change the water (and make sure the fruit is fully covered). Place it in a pot and bring it to a boil. For a second time, change the water and bring to a boil again. Pour out the water, and weigh the fruit. Match with an equal amount of sugar. Cook over a low flame for about 45 minutes, or until it takes on a jam-like appearance.
Etrog jam has a strong and distinct flavor that will carry the spirit of Sukkot long into the year. Many people have the custom of saving this jam for the holiday of Tu B'shvat. (Source: Post-Sukkot Uses for the Etrog http://www.chabad.org)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eli tasting the etrog.

Color week in the Zebra Room

Last week the Zebra room chose to do a color week. The children loved pointing out that they were all wearing the same colors. We also incorporated the color of the day into our small groups for the week. We colored with red crayons, played with different colors of shaving cream,  different colors of dot markers, and also yellow play dough.  Special thank you to the parents who made our color week a great success!