Joyful Beginnings Hummingbirds: January 12 - 16, 2026
Dear Joyful Beginnings Hummingbirds Families,
Last week, the children showcased their ever-growing sense of comfort and confidence within the school rhythm and in the forest itself. Even on very cold days, they managed multiple layers of winter gear with impressive independence, discovered new trees to climb in our forest classroom (carefully testing each branch for sturdiness), attempted to hold chickens at the farm with tenderness and care, and moved with increasing skill and intention in their watercolor paintings.
Earlier in the year, these same experiences often looked quite different: children frequently asked for help when wanting to climb trees and structures, became overwhelmed during transitions that required changing clothing, and sometimes spilled jars of watercolor paint or hesitated to fill the entire page with color. Their growth has been perfectly paced, developmentally appropriate, and a true joy to witness.
Also of note, the children have fully embraced “Tasting Time” at our meal table. Each morning, we sit down together to share a bite to eat before heading into the forest for free play. This time is held with reverence in the classroom. Each day, a child helps to set the table with cloth napkins, wooden cups, pitchers of water, and warm tea. Once everyone is seated, we share a mealtime blessing, and each child is served our shared snack alongside their snack from home. Once all food has been served and is ready to be eaten, the fire fairies visit our table as the teacher lights three candles. For the first few minutes of snack, the children are invited to enjoy their food quietly, allowing them to focus on taste and texture without distraction.
At the beginning of the year, “Tasting Time” required frequent gentle reminders to save conversation for later. Now, the children know this rhythm by heart and, once the fairies are invited to the table, settle in with ease. Even our youngest students are now able to remain quiet and centered, allowing teachers to gradually extend the length of tasting time so that bellies are full and ready for play. In that same vein, they have become well-versed in raising a quiet candle (a single, steady finger) if they wish to share a thought or story with the whole class. Their stories of chocolate bars, pink sparkly snails, and water bottles on roofs bring just the right amount of silliness and wonder to our school days.
Next week, the children will participate in a wintry nature craft, creating snowy owls from tree bark they have patiently worked for many months to loosen and remove from a large fallen trunk at the far edge of our outdoor classroom.
Announcements & Reminders:
Thank you for representing the Hummingbird community through your donations and participation in the MLK Day of Service. We are grateful for a school culture that values serving our local communities.
January 31: Community Work Day
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)
Warmly,
Ki Alycia
