A Truly Grand Week

The week was full, beginning with Snowy Monday! The snow was perfect for creating a wide variety of snow creations- chairs, slides, angels, castles, forts, humongous balls, and tiny balls. Snow was tasted by many little tongues, reaching out to feel its coldness, its lightness, its whiteness. Eyes gazed up at me, looking for approval or disapproval– I let them decide for themselves if this was a good choice. I think we need to allow them time and power to make small decisions for themselves.

Children are often given what I term 'calculated choices' such as "Do you want to brush your teeth before or after your bed time story?" or "Do you want to wear your black pants or your jeans?"but often we do not allow them to make on the spot choices about their own safety, health or social interactions. I am concerned about our need to protect them from everything– what implications will this have down the road? As children grow and enter into the 'real' world, they will be faced with many dilemmas and decisions that they will need to make without a guardian angel whispering in their ear. Don't we want to arm them with their own power and integrity so they can make sound decisions for themselves? Choices that affect them and others positively, without harming themselves, others or their environment? I believe we do, so yes, I allowed them to taste the snow if they felt that was a good option. As an educator, I am always balancing being an experienced adult around an inexperienced child. I am here to keep them safe but I am also here to support their learning in all areas. There are many grey areas– how do you as parents manage these grey areas? I would love to hear!

Another moment of epiphany for me happened yesterday, completely out of the blue. Emma was eating snack and then she tapped her spoon on her thermos. Then she tapped it on her fruit cup. Then on her ice pack. Then on the table. You know where this is going! A natural rhythm developed. She stood up. She shook her hips and bum, wiggling to the beat. Then Jack tapped his hand on his water bottle, then he took the lid from his tiffin and banged it on his water bottle. Then Rhys started to tap his spoon on his container. Miele emptied her berries onto the table so she could use the container as a drum. Connor slapped his hand on the table creating a louder beat. Suddenly we found ourselves in a band! I danced to their rhythms. I asked Emma to stop and start the music so I could play "Freeze". We had so much fun!

And, then, naturally, it stopped. Snacks were tidied up and put away and children moved on to the other activities. At lunch, a few little taps were made but it did not carry the weight or interest from the morning snack. Later I thought about this moment and felt very happy and truthfully, proud. I feel that I have come to a place where I can honestly say I am a responsive educator. I am able to let learning occur as it arises without fearing every possible consequence. Could this have gotten out of hand? Yes! Could this become a problem at other meals? Yes. But did it? No! And, if it did, could I not, as their teacher, mentor, and friend, settle it down to the point where it is acceptable again? Yes! I am feeling so so wonderful about where I am in my teaching. I have so much room to grow and I believe I am on exciting personal journey as an educator.

Emma beginning the rhythms.

Jack and Rhys joining in.

Jack banging his tiffin lid.

Miele lining up her containers to make music.

Connor using his hand to drum.

Here are some other moments from our day–

Bingo has been very popular this week after playing with our grandpals on Wednesday.

Grace developing her fine motor skills.

Addie and Matias enjoyed the challenge of following 'instructions'.

The children are independently getting clipboards and working. This is a raccoon.

Jordyn spent a long time creating these designs and adding details.

Connor used his own hand to paint the raccoon's hand. He bridged his learning from circle as we talked about the similarities between human and raccoon hands.