INTERESTING TIMES

The following trailer is for the film Interesting Times. Produced and directed by ttweak, the film explores the challenges and opportunities Houston faces in the 21st Century based on the data and research of Dr. Stephen Klineberg's Houston Area Surveys.

Ttweak

Reminder

The center will close at 5:00 today. Please have all children picked up by 5:00 pm

Reminder

Waltrip Child Development Center will close on Friday June 1, 2012 and will reopen August 13, 2012.

Making Paint

The children where given paint to mix and create their color, and give their color a name. They will use their color to create art, then they use each others to make a painting.

Lena- Chocolate Melon
Isabel- Black Berry
Layla- Sticky Carmel
Kianna- Chocolate Peanut Butter
Ashlynn- Purple Grape
Justin- Fruit Flavor Candy

Announcement

The center will be closed Monday May 28, 2012 in observance of Memorial day.

Announcement

May 21, 2012
Dear families,
The staff of waltrip Child Development Center are being honored at a dinner sponsored by Exxon/Mobil on Wednesday, may 30, 2012 at 6:00 pm to be held at the Houston Children’s Museum. Because the dinner begins at 6:00 pm we are closing at 5:00 pm for that day only. This is a great honor for our teachers and I am very excited for them and want to make sure all of them are present. I apologize in advance for any problems this might cause you. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
Thank you.

Collaboration Of Magnus And Kaiden Painting

On Wednesday morning, May 2, 2012 Magnus and Kaiden of the infant Class of Waltrip CDC located inside of Waltrip High School participated in a painting collaboration for the first time ever. They were accompanied by their teachers Frances and Donna. The other babies were asleep during this event. Frances taped down some white paper to their table and set out some orange and white paint for these babies to experience and explore. They eagerly came to the table to begin their experience with this strange substance to them. At first they were a little hesitant to try it but when they saw their teacher Frances set it out for them they had confidence in her that she would not set something out they should not experience and their curiosity got the best of them and Magnus was the first to bravely initiate exploring the paint by putting his fingers into the paint. Kaiden was sitting beside him watching his every move and they began their wonderful investigation of this new material called paint. Their teachers were beside them talking to them about what they were experiencing by putting it into words using self-talk, narration, and non-verbal recognition. Please continue reading this observation of what the teachers and babies experienced.
Magnus Exploration Of Paint
Magnus, when you first saw Frances taping down some paper on the table you became curious about what she was doing, so you decided that the play that you were doing on the floor with Kaiden could wait because you had to check it out. You sat by and watched as she taped a sheet of white paper down. When she reached to the counter and grabbed a bottle and spoon, you became a lot more curious. Was it because you maybe thought that it was time for a snack or maybe lunch? You decided that you needed a closer look at the table. Frances picked you up and put you in a chair to begin your discovery of something new and exciting. She started to talk to you about this substance that you saw on the table. She described it as, “Something that you were going to put your fingers into and that you would be able to move it about because it was something new, something that was shiny, slippery and moved very easily onto the paper. It was called paint.” Needless to say when she finished putting the two different colors of paint on the table for you and Kaiden to try she moved you closer to the table and your curiosity took over and you put your fingers into it. You quickly picked up your hand to look at the paint that was on your fingers. The first thing that you did was you put it in your mouth but when you found out that it did not taste good, you quit. Kaiden was sitting beside you and Frances was taking pictures. Donna put some paintbrushes on the table but you had no idea what they were used for and you only used it for a short while when you dropped them to the floor and they were handed back to you, you were uninterested in them, you choose to use your hands.
Kaiden’s Curiosity With Paint
Kaiden, you were a little curious about what was happening at the table also. You crawled over to it and Donna placed you in the chair next to Magnus and the two of you waited patiently as Frances talked to you as she placed the finishing touches on the invitation that the two of you were going to eagerly participate in. When she finished, Donna moved the chair to the table and you watched as Magnus first put his fingers into the orange glob of paint that was on the table. You watched for a short while before you put your hands into the paint and began to move it about ever so slowly watching closely as it moved glided along on the smooth paper. Them you put your other hand into the white paint and you decided that maybe you should try it. You placed your hand into your mouth, you must of decided that it was more fun to spread this unto the paper because you continued moving the paint all around. When you noticed the paintbrushes that Donna placed on the table you picked it up and dipped it into the orange paint and you immediately began to inspect the brushes with the paint on them. You moved the brushes with your fingers as you watched the brushes move, it appeared that you became excited about what happen because Frances noticed that you looked at her as if to say, “Is it alright to do this?” She only smiled at you and nodded her head and you continued with your investigation of the materials. You also placed the paintbrush inside of your mouth but you discontinued doing this because your teachers think that you decided that it did not taste good and that it was more fun moving it around on the paper. You and Magnus seemed to really enjoy your experience with the paint and Frances and Donna liked watching you create your masterpiece. They would really like to hear from everyone what they think that you created. It is too bad that you cannot tell us but we enjoyed watching you create it.
Here is what your teachers think this invitation means:
As your teachers we learned that some of you are a little shy to try new and different things like the paint. The reason why the teachers think this is because Kaiden was a little afraid to start his investigation of the paint, he watched Magnus for a few minutes before he tried it. Your teachers also know that when you are introduced to something new and different, you like to almost always put the new items into your mouth. The teachers are aware of this and that is the reason that they are mindful of the items that they choose that they are non-toxic and will not harm you. They also try and make sure that you do not create a mess of your clothes, that is why your teachers took off your shirts while you participated in this observation. The teachers learn that you are learning in many areas because they studied the list from the Outcomes for Child Centered Curriculum. Approaches To Learning- We saw that the ones who participated in this observation came to the invitation on their own. We saw also that each of the babies that examined the paint put the pain in their mouth. That each of the babies cautiously put their fingers into the shiny, shimmering paint and used one finger before they used their complete hand. That each baby when they realized that they enjoyed the way that the paint felt that is when they felt comfortable enough to put their hands into it and explore the properties of the paint. The babies also learned that they can use other instruments to spread the paint and not only use their hands. We also learned that some of you like to watch before you feel comfortable enough to try an investigation on your own. Scientific Inquiry- We saw you showing curiosity when you started putting your fingers into the paint for the very first time. You put your fingers into it and when you took your fingers out the first thing that you did was you examined the tips of the finger that had the paint on it. You were also curious to see how it tasted. When you discovered that it did not taste good you immediately took your fingers out of the mouth and continued your investigation of the material. It appeared to your teachers that you discovered the change in the color orange when you mixed it with the white paint that it appeared a lot lighter in color almost a darker shade of yellow. Mathematical Skills- We saw using your hands to spread the paint out and make it cover the paper, while you were doing this your teachers called you artist. Your teachers also talked to you about what happens when you mix two different colors together and they said this while the counted the colors for you to use. Family Involvement- Your teachers would like to hear from the parents if they enjoyed reading about this observation and if they used paints with you at home and what the outcome of using those paints was. Frances would also like to hear if you have any ideas on how they may think how you may enjoy using paint, any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Written By- Frances.

Magnus And Nathaniel’s Exploration Of Clay

On Monday morning, April 16, 2012, the Infant Class of Waltrip CDC located inside of Waltrip High School were offered this invitation by their teacher they were also given an opportunity of using utensils. This picture does not show the utensils but they were on the table for their use. Magnus and Nathaniel were the only children up at that time so they were very happy to investigate the clay. They were given a number of utensils to use but they mostly used their hands to manipulate it they were very eager to start their investigation of the clay once more. They have been using clay for about two months now and each time that they use it they seem to be playing with it for a longer period of time. They are picking it up and examining it and they are still putting it in their mouth for a short time but once they find out that it is something that does not taste good they cease putting it inside of their mouth. They appear to be deconstructing it meaning that they are taking it apart. The teachers used self talk, narration, and intrinsically phrased rewards while conducting this invitation.

Magnus Using The Tools
Magnus, when I set up the invitation, you came crawling over and I placed you inside a chair so that you may start your investigation of the materials. The first thing that you did was you picked up the clay and turned it over and was looking at it. You observed the fingerprints that I placed in the clay and you stuck your fingers into them. Then you noticed the tools the first thing that you picked up was the knife and you attempted to put it inside of the slit that was made in the clay. You placed your fingers over that slit and followed it along the clay with your other hand. You noticed the pizza wheel and you picked it up also and with the knife in one hand and the pizza wheel in the other you tried your hand at using the utensils. When they did not work to your liking you started using your hands and picked up the clay and once again put it inside of your mouth but soon discovered that it did not taste good so you discontinued that and started pulling it apart. You seem to be enjoying the clay more and more because you are now playing with it for a longer period of time.
Nathaniel Adventure With The Clay
Nathaniel, you were taking a bottle when I started the invitation with Magnus and when you finished you were brought to the invitation by Donna. She placed you in the chair along side of Magnus and placed some utensils beside you but you did not use them much. You examined your clay very closely by turning it over and you placed it back over because you noticed that the other side was smooth and you wanted to place your fingers inside of my fingerprints that I left inside the clay that was in front of you. Unlike Magnus you did not attempt to put the clay inside of your mouth. You did in other invitations was this because you remembered that it did not taste good or was it because you just had a bottle. It is too bad that you cannot tell me why I will just have to think that it is because you were not hungry. You did pick up the utensils but did not use them with the clay you seemed to be more interested in just playing with the clay today and that is alright. Your teachers know that if you wanted to use them they were there for your use but you chose not to use them.
Here is what your teachers think this invitation means:
As your teachers we learned that some of you still need to be brought to the invitation while others can come by crawling when the invitation is offered. That it still appears that all of you seem to enjoy manipulating the clay by itself and that the more that it is offered to you it appears that you like it more because you are playing with it for longer periods of time. The utensils are added to the invitation for you to try out and they are put within your reach so that you may try them if you wish. The teachers use the utensils so that you may see how to use them because we know that you are too young to know how they may be used. The teachers wait for a while before they show you how to use them to see if you might try on your own but so far no one has tried. The teachers learn that you are learning in many areas because they studied the list from the Outcomes for Child Centered Curriculums. Approaches To Learning- We saw some of you being brought to the invitation while others came to it by crawling. All who participated in the invitation were very eager to start their investigation of the clay without seeing what the other was doing. I observed that you each put your fingers inside the fingerprints that I made inside of the clay. The utensils were placed on the table for you to use and at some time each of you picked up something but you soon lost interest and started exploring the clay just using your fingers. Scientific Inquiry- We saw you showing curiosity when you came to the invitation and you picked up the clay and was turning it over and over again. I was wondering was this because the clay was cold and you were enjoying how it felt and I noticed that one of you seemed to have noticed that one side was different from the other because Nathaniel turned it over and stuck his fingers into the fingerprints that I left on the other side. Mathematical Skills- We saw each of you taking the clay apart into different size pieces. Family Involvement- We would also like to hear from the parents if they have used play doh or clay with you at home and also if they have any ideas on how we could use clay with anything else. We would also like to hear how much they enjoyed reading this observation on how you manipulated the clay. All ideas are greatly appreciated. Written By- Frances.

Meet our director and consultant

[left to right]

Kasondra Brown - United Way Bright Beginnings Consultant
Candice McDowell - Director

View a the photo gallery

Program gives low income kids an early boost

Read the article about United Way Bright Beginnings.