Joyful Beginnings Hummingbirds: February 9-13, 2026

Feb 12

Dear Joyful Beginnings Hummingbirds Families,

We hope you all enjoyed meaningful time with one another over the break. Just before we parted, the children certainly sensed the whispers of warmer days ahead. The sun broke through our outdoor classroom, just enough for us to shed a few layers and rediscover the children’s full mobility outside the useful but sometimes cumbersome winter apparel. Their play during these days was notably both lively and settled. There was joyful running, careful tree climbing, and long moments spent standing on structures to observe their changing shadows.

As a Waldorf-inspired school, we hold cultural festivals and holidays with great care and intention. Rather than focusing on elaborate crafts, parties, or gift exchanges, we seek to meet the gesture and feeling of a celebration in ways that feel developmentally appropriate and true to early childhood. In this way, the meaning of a holiday can be experienced inwardly, rather than through excess or busyness.

In this spirit, our Valentine’s gesture was simple and heartfelt. The children spent a few quiet moments finger-painting small “love rocks” in the forest. The teachers offered a “wondering” rather than an instruction: “Maybe we could use our heart rocks to spread love to others.” From there, the children’s imaginations and social awareness naturally unfolded. They eagerly discussed who might receive their rock, with some children concerned that one rock might not be enough for two parents or caregivers. Together, we assured them that love carried through handmade gifts has a special magic, one that is much larger than the gift itself.

As the children return to class this week, they will notice subtle but meaningful shifts as we turn toward the next season. Our nature table, displayed on the far wall of the classroom and meant to be observed rather than touched, will quietly transform. The blue silk, snow angel, and watercolor postcard of hibernating animals will make way for a yellow silk, early flowers, a small bunny, and other signs of awakening life. These changes are never pointed out directly; instead, the children discover them in their own time, allowing curiosity and reverence to arise naturally.

We will also begin learning new circle songs and stories to welcome Lady Spring, including this verse that we will learn together in morning circle:

Little brown seeds so small and round,
Are sleeping quietly underground.
Down come the raindrops,
Sprinkle, sprinkle, sprinkle.
Out comes the rainbow,
Twinkle, twinkle, twinkle.
Little brown seeds way down below,
Up through the earth they grow, grow, grow.
Little green leaves come one by one.
They hold up their heads and look at the sun.

Announcements & Reminders:

Hummingbird conferences will be held in the morning on March 11 and in the afternoons on March 12th and March 13th. Please SIGN UP HERE.