Joyful Beginnings Hummingbirds: October 6 - 10, 2025
Dear Joyful Beginnings Hummingbirds Families,
Thank you for attending conferences. It is always a joy to take time together and reflect on each child’s unique school journey.
Last week seemed to mark the beginning of crunchy-leaf season! The children delighted in raking great piles of leaves, and some even asked teachers to help create a “race track” of smooth dirt winding through the now leaf-covered floor of the Hummingbird Nest. It is possible there are some long-distance endurance racers in our midst!
Our autumn shelter story carried these images as well, as Mother Earth calls all her beloved creatures to make their leafy beds in preparation for the winter ahead. This story, an example of therapeutic storytelling, helps guide our class in strengthening responsiveness during class transitions. In the tale, Hedgy Hedgehog hears Mother Earth’s gentle call and begins to make his nest when she sings:
“Come to me, my children dear,
When I call, I want you near.”
Busy Squirrel Nutkin, however, is not quite ready to settle down for the season and continues gathering nuts for his cupboards. In time, all the creatures, including Squirrel Nutkin, find rest and safety beneath Mother Earth’s soft, brown cloak.
Last week, the children also used dull needles, embroidery thread, and colorful wooden beads to make necklaces and garlands to adorn our classroom. This offered a beautiful opportunity to strengthen the small muscles of the hand, refine coordination and fine motor skills, and practice sustained focus. They were so proud of their creations, and many chose to wear them proudly throughout the day.
This week, we will revisit the story of Hedgy Hedgehog and Squirrel Nutkin and take part in a beloved Hummingbird autumn tradition: making miniature scarecrows! If your child would like to bring an item for our scarecrow friends —such as an old hat, a button-up shirt (button-up shirts work best), pants, socks, a scarf, or another small accessory —we will have a basket in the hallway at drop-off this week for these contributions. Please limit each child’s selection to just one item. We look forward to sharing our completed scarecrows with you when you pass by our classroom during the Kingdom of Halloween fairytale walk!
Announcements & Reminders:
October 18: Kingdom of Halloween: 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm
October 27: All School Meeting (Fall) 6:30 - 8:00 pm (adults only, please)
November 5 & 6: Joyful Beginnings Lantern Walk (In the Sanctuary from 12:10-12:30)
Warmly,
Ki Alycia
