Joyful Beginnings Hummingbirds: May 12-16, 2025

May 16

Dear Joyful Beginnings Hummingbird Families,

Last week, the forest matched the children’s end-of-semester energy and was brimming with life! Snakes, frogs, and turtles were spotted all around campus, and the Hummingbirds even had the opportunity to witness a turtle laying and burying its eggs!

Similarly, the children’s play was lively. We introduced a few simple flat boards into our forest space, and they quickly became dump truck ramps and balance beams. It is amazing how simple, natural materials take on a life of their own in the children’s hands and imaginations. This type of play, often referred to as “loose parts” play, involves open-ended materials that children can move and transform. These items have no predetermined function and allow children to develop creativity and flexibility in their thinking. Many modern toys have fixed goals and instructions; for example, press this button and the car will move down the ramp. While there is a place for structured games, toys, and puzzles, filling a child’s home and world with items that leave plenty of room for exploration and experimentation is a gift.

This is our final week together for the semester! While maintaining the semblance of rhythm, we are leaning into the energy of the last week of school with some fun additions.

We look forward to enjoying a few more sweet days together as a class in the forest!

Wednesday, 5/21: Laundry Day and popsicles. We will bring soapy water down to the forest and have fun hand-washing our linens, dishes, and shovels! Last day of school for our M/T/W students.

Thursday, 5/22: Bring a baby photo to share with the class! We will reflect on each student’s growth and measure how tall they are, marking it on one of the trees in our nest. Banana caterpillars for snack. (Bananas, sunbutter, chocolate chips, and two pretzel sticks)

Friday, 5/23: Laundry Day and popsicles. We will bring soapy water down to the forest and have fun hand washing our linens, dishes, and shovels! Last day of school for our Th/F students.

Announcements and Reminders for Hummingbirds:

Please start packing insect repellent and sun hats in their backpacks.