On this last day of A Week, we welcomed another 23 children: 12 in the morning and 11 in the afternoon. We continued to act on what it means to “honor our impulses” (see the segment below) and make connections between apples, eating, drinking, going to the bathroom, etc. We looked more closely at different products made from apples and finished up Journal Time, brought a wooden apple into the Tub Table for the pretend worms to eat, played hard inside and outside. We finished both classes with our Goodbye Circle where I tell them the best things about my day (spoiler alert: it is them)….their faces lighting up when I say their names is ridiculously precious.
Here are 3 questions to learn more about our day:
What color paint is at the easel this week?
Red! We are using the red paper to make apples for all the pretend trees in our classroom. We confirmed in our book* that some apples are red (and some are yellow, green and many are a mixture of colors). We used real sticks from the playground for stems too.
*This week we have been reading Apple Farmer Annie. It doesn’t appear to be at our local library, but you’re welcome to borrow it from preschool if you’re interested.
What did you drink at snack time?
Water! This is the same thing that apple trees drink (either from a hose or bucket when the tree is small and from rain when the tree is bigger and established.)
In the morning we had Theo’s birthday celebration snack of donut holes aka donut balls and tried to taste the apple juice in the fruit snacks.
In the afternoon we had cookies, oranges and applesauce from Annie (not the apple farmer, the preschooler).
Thank you, snack friends!
Did you smash any play dough balls?
We pretended that little balls of play dough were apples and then smashed them to make pretend applesauce and apple pancakes! It was great muscle work to go back and forth between using the whole palm and isolating individual fingers for smashing too.
BIG SWING BONUS:
At the end of each class, I put up the big swing which can hold any and all children at one time. There is a wonderful low creaky sound and the children calm quickly while all smooshed together.
This week we are exploring what it means to “Honor our impulses”. In the first week of school what I want most is for children to feel safe in getting their basic needs met. For instance, they are allowed to get a drink of water, go to the bathroom, take shoes on and off and change positions whenever they like. In this first week of school we will be introducing all the ways that these needs can be met with or without teacher assistance. It is vitally important that children learn to identify their body’s needs and I have complete confidence that by honoring their body’s impulses now, they will be better suited to respond to social norms/expectations as they age (in other words: they do not need to be forced to sit still now so that one day in 2nd grade they will be able to).
This week’s Coping Skill questions you can ask your child:
What do you do if you’re thirsty at preschool? Children can find their cup in the kitchen (they are glass jars labeled with their names and color coded for their class schedule) and either get help filling it or fill it themselves at the fridge water dispenser. If children bring their own water bottle from home they are allowed to use it anytime (and carry it around with them).
What do your do if you’re hungry at preschool? There will always be food available for hungry children. Sometimes children bring their own food which they are allowed to eat anytime and teachers will help them find a space to eat. We also have saltine crackers and carrots available for a pre or post snack nibble.
What do you do if you’re hot at preschool? Children can remove outerwear, long sleeves, socks, shoes, etc. In warm weather months they can stand under our HVAC vents or use a paper fan. Some children like to have a cold wet paper towel pressed gently on the back of the neck, chest or forehead (and if you blow on the wet skin it is even more of a cool down effect!).
What do you do if you’re cold at preschool? Children can put outerwear on or use one of our many blankets (there are a variety of textures and sizes). In cold weather months they can stand under an HVAC vent to feel the warm air. Cuddling with another person or rubbing their own arms/legs can also meet the need.
What do you do if you have to pee or poop? They go! With the bathroom connected to our classroom there is never a need for children to wait (unless someone else is using it). Children are allowed to go to the bathroom anytime and do not need to ask permission. At the same time, I will always assist children who need or request help with any part of the bathroom experience.
What do you do if you don’t want to sit at Circle Time? They can lay down, stand, get a pillow, etc. What is most important in this skill set is noticing what their body wants to do and honoring it. If a child is uncomfortable for any reason sitting “criss cross applesauce,” I want them to move and adjust.
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