Stout Street Children's Center

Driving with Baby in Toddler Class!

Today one of our toddlers took her babydoll on a little “road trip” around the classroom! With her hands on the steering wheel and her teacher singing “The Wheels on the Bus,” she proudly drove her baby to all sorts of pretend destinations. Moments like this are full of joy and rich learning.

This playful interaction supported several HighScope Key Developmental Indicators (KDIs):

Initiative & Curiosity (KDI 1): choosing to engage in pretend play with purpose

Pretend Play (KDI 33): using the steering wheel and babydoll symbolically

Fine-Motor Skills (KDI 16): gripping, turning, and steering the wheel

Language & Communication (KDI 18): responding to the song and engaging with her teacher

Relationships & Social Interaction (KDI 11): sharing the moment with her teacher through music and play

We love watching our toddlers bring their imaginations to life. These little pretend adventures help build confidence, creativity, and connection every day.

Dinosaur Sun Catchers in Preschool!

Our preschoolers had a blast today creating their very own dinosaur sun catchers! Using colorful tissue paper, dinosaur outlines, and plenty of imagination, they designed beautiful artwork that now glows in our classroom windows.

This hands-on activity supported several HighScope Key Developmental Indicators (KDIs):

Creative Arts – Art Expression (KDI 32): choosing colors, arranging materials, and expressing their ideas through art

Approaches to Learning – Problem Solving (KDI 4): figuring out how to layer and place tissue pieces to fill their dinosaur shapes

Fine-Motor Skills (KDI 16): peeling, sticking, pressing, and manipulating small pieces of tissue paper

Language & Communication (KDI 18): talking with teachers and peers about their dinosaurs, colors, and design choices

Exploring Materials (KDI 21): discovering how light shines through the sun catchers and changes the colors

We love watching their creativity shine—literally! These little artists bring so much joy and imagination to our classroom every day.

Big Imagination in Our Infant Room!

Today one of our infants explored the dramatic play area with so much curiosity and creativity. He used the play cups and plates to pretend he was serving food, stacking dishes, and “sharing” with his teachers. Even at this young age, dramatic play helps infants make sense of the world around them and begin building the foundations of imagination.

This simple moment supported several HighScope Key Developmental Indicators (KDIs):

Approaches to Learning – Initiative & Curiosity (KDI 1): choosing materials and exploring them with purpose

Fine-Motor Skills (KDI 16): grasping, lifting, and manipulating cups and plates

Creative Arts – Pretend Play (KDI 33): using objects symbolically during play

Language & Communication (KDI 18): responding to teacher words and modeling early social exchanges

Exploring Objects (KDI 22): discovering how items fit, stack, and move

We love watching our infants use everyday materials to build imagination, confidence, and early problem‑solving skills. These little moments are the start of big learning.

Outdoor Adventures in Our Infant Classrooms!

Our infants spent a joyful morning exploring the playground, taking in all the sights, sounds, and textures of the outdoors. From feeling the breeze to reaching for leaves and watching their friends move around the space, every moment was filled with discovery.

These simple outdoor experiences support so much learning through the HighScope Key Developmental Indicators (KDIs):

Physical Development & Health (KDI 14–16): strengthening muscles as infants practice rolling, scooting, crawling, and pulling up on equipment

Exploring Objects (KDI 22): noticing grass, leaves, and playground materials with curiosity

Initiative & Curiosity (KDI 1–3): choosing where to look, what to touch, and how to move.

Language & Communication (KDI 18–19): responding to teachers’ words, songs, and naming of what they see

Relationships & Social Interaction (KDI 7–10): engaging with teachers and peers while feeling safe and supported outdoors

We love giving our infants the chance to explore the world around them—every outdoor moment is a meaningful step in their development.

Paint Stick Creativity in Pre‑K!

Today, one of our Pre‑K friends explored paint sticks to create a colorful art project — and the learning was just as vibrant as the artwork! As they twisted, pressed, and made intentional strokes, they were building confidence, coordination, and creative expression.

This activity supported several HighScope Key Developmental Indicators, including:

Fine‑Motor Skills (KDI 4): Strengthening hand muscles and control while gripping and using the paint sticks.

Creative Arts (KDI 21): Expressing ideas, experimenting with color, and creating something uniquely their own.

Initiative & Planning (KDI 2): Deciding how to use the materials, choosing colors, and planning their design.

Exploring Objects (KDI 11): Discovering how paint sticks glide, blend, and layer on the paper.

We love watching our Pre‑K artists bring their imagination to life — one bold stroke at a time!

Exploring Paint With Purpose!

Today, one of our toddlers spent time using a paintbrush to move paint around his plate — a simple activity packed with so much learning! As he grasped the brush, dipped it into the paint, and made colorful strokes, he was strengthening important fine‑motor skills that support future writing, self‑help tasks, and creative expression.

This hands‑on moment supported several HighScope Key Developmental Indicators, including:

Fine‑Motor Skills (KDI 4): Using his grasp to hold the paintbrush and control his movements.

Exploring Objects (KDI 11): Discovering how the paintbrush works, how the paint spreads, and how his actions create different marks.

Creative Arts (KDI 21): Expressing himself through color, motion, and experimentation.

Initiative & Planning (KDI 2): Choosing how to move the paint and deciding what to explore next.

We love watching these little hands grow stronger and more confident each day!

Exploring Fruit Through an Alphabet Book!

Our sweet infant spent time today exploring an alphabet book all about fruit! As they turned pages, pointed to pictures, and babbled along, they were building early literacy skills in such a joyful, hands‑on way.

This experience supported several HighScope Key Developmental Indicators, including:

Exploring Objects (KDI 11): Investigating the textures, colors, and shapes of each fruit picture.

Fine Motor Skills (KDI 4): Using little fingers to grasp, turn pages, and point with intention.

Early Literacy (KDI 17): Engaging with books, noticing letters, and building early connections between images and language.

Language & Communication (KDI 8): Babbling, smiling, and responding as teachers named each fruit together.

It’s amazing to see how even the simplest moments — like looking at a book — become rich opportunities for learning and connection.

Pre‑K Explores Transportation!

Our Pre‑K classmates have been diving into a new study on transportation, and today’s learning took a very creative turn! One of our Pre‑K girls designed her own license plate, which sparked a great group conversation about what license plates are, why cars need them, and where they go.

The children shared ideas, asked questions, and made real‑world connections as they explored how vehicles are identified and kept safe on the road. Hands‑on moments like this help build early literacy, problem‑solving, and social learning — all through play and curiosity.

Our Pre‑K crew is definitely on the road to big discoveries!

Big Milestones in the Infant Room!

Today our curious little learner pulled herself up on the ballet bar so she could see her reflection in the mirror. She studied her face, smiled at herself, and proudly held her balance as she explored this new perspective of her world.

This meaningful moment supported several HighScope Key Developmental Indicators, including:

KDI 6: Gross-Motor Skills — strengthening her legs and core as she pulled to stand

KDI 8: Sense of Self — recognizing her reflection and showing interest in her own image

KDI 25: Exploring Objects — discovering how the ballet bar helps her rise and steady herself

KDI 11: Language & Communication — engaging with teachers as they labeled her actions and celebrated her effort

We love watching our infants grow stronger, more confident, and more curious every day.

Fireworks in a Cup in Preschool One!

Preschool One explored a colorful science activity today called “Fireworks in a Cup.” Using water, oil, and food coloring, the children watched as the colors slowly drifted and burst apart—just like tiny fireworks! Their excitement grew with every swirl and pop of color.

This hands-on experiment supported several HighScope Key Developmental Indicators, including:

KDI 25: Exploring Objects — observing how oil and water interact and how colors move through each layer

KDI 24: Cause & Effect — noticing what happens when food coloring drops hit the oil and then the water

KDI 21: Creative Arts — enjoying the beauty of the swirling colors and describing what they looked like

KDI 11: Language & Communication — sharing predictions, reactions, and observations with teachers and peers

KDI 2: Problem Solving — testing ideas like “What if I add more drops?” or “What happens if I stir?”

We love watching our preschoolers light up with curiosity as they explore science in playful, meaningful ways.