Joyful Beginnings Hummingbrids: May 4 - 8, 2026

May 8

Dear Joyful Beginnings Hummingbirds Families,

Thank you for your kindness and generosity during Teacher Appreciation week. Ki Angela and I felt your care in every thoughtful card and carb (thank you for offering your time and talents to nourish us so well.) We feel deeply honored to serve the Hummingbird community and are grateful for the heart and support that surrounds our class.

Last week brought deep muddy puddles to the forest, with many children endearingly recalling our old circle song about the pitter patter of the rain as they splashed and stomped happily through the water. The children also experimented with a more collaborative painting experience as small “color teams” of red, blue, and yellow painters each added their brushstrokes to one large sheet of watercolor paper. Slowly, the colors blended and swirled together into a playful tapestry of pastels. It was a lovely exercise in creative cooperation.

Last week also marked the beginning of a new original story that will carry the class through the close of the school year. The Hummingbird Nest was written as a therapeutic tale to help prepare the children inwardly for the rhythms of summer, changing classrooms, and the many transitions that naturally accompany this season. In Waldorf early childhood, these shifts are not typically emphasized through direct explanation or discussion. Instead, young children are best met through the feeling life of story, image, rhythm, and repetition, which allow understanding to unfold slowly and naturally from within.

In the story, a family of hummingbirds lives together in a nest high in the trees. As the little hummingbirds grow stronger and braver, Mama and Papa Hummingbird encourage them to listen inwardly and begin dreaming and discovering where their wings may someday carry them. Some feel called toward the cheerful play of the chickadees, some toward the shores of the turtle pond, and some toward the busy buzzing of the honeybee tree. Others feel they still need the comfort of the hummingbird nest a while longer and a few even imagine flying far away with Brother Wind toward entirely new forests and adventures. Throughout the story, the hummingbirds return again and again to a simple refrain reminding them that while little wings may someday fly in many different directions, the love and warmth of the nest remain always.

“Little wings, soft and light,
Growing stronger day and night.
When it’s time, we’ll fly away,
But our nest is here to stay.”

Upcoming End-of-Year Events:

Thursday, May 14 – Picnic by the Pond
Sun tea, homemade bread, and honey butter. Children may bring a small stuffie to school (must fit in their basket).
Friday, May 15 – Last Day of School (Thursday/Friday Class)
Nature crowns and homemade strawberry sorbet.
Monday, May 18 – Picnic by the Pond
Sun tea, homemade bread, and honey butter. Children may bring a small stuffie to school (must fit in their basket).
Tuesday, May 19 – Field Day
While we will not participate in formal organized games, our class will join in spirit with bubbles, water play, special gradient mud cakes, and popsicles.
Wednesday, May 20 – Last Day of School (Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday Class)
Nature crowns and homemade strawberry sorbet.

Announcements & Reminders:

TGS Families are invited to attend Class Plays, Presentations, and School Assemblies!

We hope you will join us!