SpotHero Car Garage LIVE! June 15 - 19
This week, we’re taking a drive through our SpotHero Car Garage exhibit! Join us as we explore through activities, stories, and lots of free resources.
Educational Background
Download PDFs: English | en Español
The SpotHero Car Garage exhibit fosters exploration through dramatic play of how cars move and the importance of maintaining machines to keep them in working order. Children take the lead in their discoveries and make choices in their play, supporting developmental skills in many different areas.
- Language Development – Children engage in role playing and have the opportunity to engage in conversations and learn new vocabulary.
- Motor Skills – Children utilize fine and gross motor skills by manipulating toy cars, using mechanical tools, and moving through the pretend car wash.
- Cognitive Development– Children are encouraged to use problem-solving skills to explore how cars move, the effects of inclined planes, and making connections between the exhibit and the real world.
This week’s activities (all Facebook Live sessions at 10:30 AM):
MONDAY
Join Vito on Facebook Live at 10:30 AM, to kick the week off and act out Car Garage fun.
TUESDAY
Explore force, motion, and lines with Cori while you drive your very own marker car!
Marker Cars Explore force and motion and make your unique mark with toy cars!
Explore the Activity | Download the PDF
WEDNESDAY
It’s time for a Car Wash with Andrea!
DIY Toy Car Wash Use recycled materials to build a car wash!
Explore the Activity | Download PDF
THURSDAY
Map it out with Amelia
Cartography Cars Discover how to make maps and drive around your neighborhood.
Explore the Activity | Download PDF
FRIDAY
Wrap up the week with a Facebook Live read-aloud by Vito, at 10:30 AM.
Over the weekend, check out our recorded Story Times, Home Zone activities, and free Learning Resources!
Home Zone highlights:
- Let it Roll Activity
- Rampas Altas y Ramps Bajas Actividad
- Spotting Simple Machines Activity
- The Wheel Deal Activity
- Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus Read-aloud story
- Car Goes Far, by Michael Garland, Read-aloud story
- Actividad: ¡Buscar y Encontrar! ¡Mirar y Dibujar! Estudiantes desarrollarán herramientas para observar su entorno
Family Resources:
- NAEYC Article, Delighting in My Child’s Interests: Trucks!
- Illinois Early Learning Project, Keeping Young Children Safe in the Car
- Illinois Early Learning Project, Mantengamos seguros a los niños en el auto
- Fatherly Magazine, How Playing With Toy Trucks Drives Child Development and STEM Learning
- Scholastic, Your Toddlers Truck Obsession is a Vehicle for Learning