Dear Joyful Families,
The children enjoyed learning some new finger games last week. These are traditional nursery rhymes that have fun gestures to go along with them that help the children to work on fine motor skills. Some gestures cross the vertical midline, helping to integrate both sides of the brain. We do these movements while reciting rhymes that can be quite tongue-twisty. These are challenging enough to capture the attention of every student, and fun enough that they always ask for more!
The children have been working on their gross motor skills quite a bit recently. They enjoyed lining up the weighted pillows in a row and leaping from one to the next like little frogs. They played in the mud pit on the big playground where there are lots of opportunities to practice balancing and jumping on the planks. The children have been working on their climbing abilities lately. Last week, they scaled a giant fallen tree and, with student teamwork that was beautiful to observe, all students were able to enjoy the experience. They were all very proud of their accomplishment!
On Friday, four of the children, at long last, were able to pull themselves up onto the tire swing! When our students ask to be lifted onto the tire swing, climbing dome, etc., our customary response is “when you can climb up there on your own, you’ll be ready for it”. This is developmentally appropriate and in keeping with our school philosophy for a child’s healthy and natural development. Well, the time finally came, and all at once the children were able to climb atop the tire swing. The sheer joy on the faces of these children was totally intoxicating as we gave them a big push. They were so excited to have finally made it onto the swing! These students developed patience and perseverance and the reward was so worth the wait! Their classmates had the joy of knowing they too will get to have the same fun when they are ready!
This week, we look forward to a Valentine’s Day tea party with the children on both Monday and Tuesday. In lieu of passing out cards, we will dress up the room in celebration and enjoy some tea and treats together. Parents, if you feel called, you are more than welcome to bring some treats that are gluten free, peanut free, and low/no sugar for the party.
Thank you all for another beautiful week!
Reminders
-This week is parent conference week. Please refer to the sign up sheet for your appointment time
-Please pack rain gear! Even on fair weather days, we are still playing in the lingering puddles around campus
-Please pack two changes of clothes and a spare pair of shoes for the reason mentioned above
-Here is the link to our wintertime circle if you have not received it: https://youtu.be/bI0L1EXULWE
In gratitude,
Ki Jessica, Ki Gabby, Ki Ieva
