A Day at Burkeville

It had been years since I personally went to Burkeville and we had never been with our preschool class. It is such a lovely community of people revealed by their attention to their homes-gardens, innovative fences, rocks, and artistic shrubbery are just some of the ways it is apparent people like living here and take pride in their abodes. There is a playground, which truthfully could be updated but still works well enough. At the end of the road, a very cool new place called The Larry Bird Flight Path Park was recently built.

Our time together was magical. I had taken lots of notes… lots of snippets of conversations and when I re-read them later that day and looked at our pictures, I realized that the day really was about trust and friendship.

Trust: belief that someone or something is reliable, good, honest, effective, etc

I think as Early Childhood Educators, we sometimes take for granted how much trust people put in us to care for their children. Each day, parents leave their loved ones with us– to teach them, to be their friend, to facilitate their learning with others and to ensure they are safe. Each day, children come to our centre trusting that we will be kind to them, that we will make sure their friend's treat them respectfully, that we will help them learn about their interests, and that we will love them. Just a wee bit of responsibility.

As always, we discussed the trip with our children to front load them on the day. But, truthfully, it is only the framework of the day that is shared. We leave the details for our adult minds, unless it comes up. So, when we hopped on the bus and ventured out, I wondered if anyone would ask more questions since we were going to an unfamiliar place (although some students had been there with their families). No questions asked. They bounded off the bus and we played at the playground, ate snack, went for a long walk to the Flight Path Park and then ate lunch. We walked through a field looking for a bridge. We came across some unusual objects, we smelled flowers, we looked at people's homes. All the while the children trusting us. Completely.

I am feeling humbled and grateful for the children's trust; the parents' trust; and, to my colleagues who 'show up' with the care and attention the families deserve. Thank you.

Friendship: the state of being friends: the relationship between friends

As I watched the children play as of late, I noticed that new friendships have been established. It seems like the group is truly one unit now. Everyone plays with everyone. Any barriers that previously existed are no longer there and each child is recognized for who they are. They have come to accept each other for who they are- sometimes enjoying each others company, other times fighting against a personality or action. But, all the while, demonstrating a common understanding that we are friends and we are a 'family'. The sense of belonging is so apparent and vital for healthy development and I believe they are very fortunate to have found this within their class. I am thrilled that the children have these relationships.

A few snapshots of our day.