Joyful Beginnings Hummingbirds: January 26 - 30, 2026
Dear Joyful Beginnings Hummingbirds Families,
Winter made itself fully known last week, offering the children rich opportunities for wonder, will development (so many layers!), and sensory play. The unusually cold weather brought the unique experience of ice play to the forest. On one especially cold morning, when keeping little bodies moving was essential, we set out on a long walk around our forest campus. Along the way, the children were thrilled to discover frozen puddle after frozen puddle, stopping to stomp, slide, and test the ice beneath their feet. What might appear as small puddles to grown-up eyes became miniature ice-skating rinks for growing feet. At times, we paused together to take deep, slow breaths, the children giggling as their breath appeared in the cold air as a “magic puff”. Several children joyfully declared themselves “ice dragons,” breathing out frosty clouds as we continued our walk.
When temperatures warmed enough to return to our usual free play in the Hummingbird nest, the children discovered large frozen “ice sculptures”, including an entire wheelbarrow filled with ice, frozen cupcake-shaped creations filling the mud kitchen muffin tin, and even a few shovels frozen into the center of solid ice blocks. The children worked tirelessly, chopping, chipping, and collaborating to “free” the trapped tools, fully absorbed in the purposeful work of their rescue mission.
Indoors, we turned our attention to color on painting day. The children began by spraying their paper with “muddy water” (a spray bottle filled with diluted yellow watercolor) before painting winter blue over the top. As subtle greens emerged across the page, they experienced color mixing through observation rather than instruction.
Thank you, as always, for continuing to donate apples and fresh produce to our class each week. The children are deeply accustomed to their afternoon apple bites, which we enjoy together during our Ladybug Picnic as a gentle transition and wind-down from forest free play. This rhythm is now so ingrained that some children begin seeking out teachers between 11:35 and 11:40, almost on the dot, to let them know they are “hungry for apples.”
Because this moment is so well loved, it has been a joyful experience to introduce new fruits and vegetables alongside the apples as they are donated. In recent weeks, the children have chopped and enjoyed fresh green beans, bell peppers, and pears. Many who began the year hesitant about unfamiliar fruits and vegetables are now happily crunching away on bell peppers, cucumbers, and more. Thank you for supporting this simple yet meaningful and nourishing moment of the children’s school day.
Announcements & Reminders:
We love seeing families connect at drop-off and pick-up—community is at the heart of our school! To help keep everyone safe while classes move through and cars are active, please keep your Joyful Beginnings student within arm’s reach during these times. Thank you for partnering with us to keep transitions safe for all.
We look forward to seeing you all this weekend (Saturday, February 07) for the Hummingbird Curriculum Meeting at 11 am, followed by the All School Meeting at 12:30 pm. We hope to have at least one parent/guardian from each family in attendance.
Our spring conferences have been rescheduled from February to March. This is a great opportunity for us to connect and discuss your child’s development and growth. Sign ups will be posted in mid-February. Hummingbird conferences will be held in the morning on March 11 and in the afternoons on March 12th and March 13th.
February 7: Early Childhood & Grade Curriculum meeting at 11 am & All School Meeting (Spring) at 12:30 pm
February 12: Lunar New Year Performance 2:30 pm (all families welcome)
February 16-20: Mid Winter Break (No School)
February 23: Teacher in Service (No School)
Warmly,
Ki Alycia
