Joyful Beginnings Hummingbirds: March 2-5, 2026
Dear Joyful Beginnings Hummingbirds Families,
Lady Spring was the esteemed guest in the Hummingbird classroom last week. She made her presence known in the warm air, in our story time, and especially in the children’s play. After hearing the story of Lady Spring awakening from her wintry slumber for the second week in a row, the students began to speak of her often throughout the day. During painting, one child shared, “I’m painting daffodils for Lady Spring,” while out in the forest, another announced, “I’m picking green leaves for Lady Spring!”
In Waldorf early childhood education, the living forces of nature are brought to the young child through simple, imaginative pictures. Figures such as Father Sun, Lady Spring, and King Winter help the child experience the rhythms and transformations of the natural world in a way that feels alive and meaningful. Through story and play, the children begin to notice and celebrate the quiet miracles unfolding around them: the return of the robins, the first green shoots rising from the earth, and the small earthworms (“wormies”) making their journey upward as the soil warms.
To honor the arrival of this season of new growth, the children got their hands into some soil and planted lima bean seeds. Each child filled a small coconut fiber pot with composted soil, carefully placed their seeds on top, and then enthusiastically pushed them down to “hide” them in the soil with their fingers. Over the next 7–10 days, they will watch closely for the first tiny sprouts to appear. Once the seedlings are strong enough, the children will bring their little plants home to continue caring for them.
As we planted, the children enjoyed reciting a verse from our spring circle:
A little seed for me to sow.
A little earth to help it grow.
A little sun,
A little shower,
A little wait…
and then…..a flower.
As the verse is spoken, the children curl a small silk into their fist to represent the seed, pat the “earth,” shine the “sun,” tap gentle “raindrops,” and finally open their hands to reveal the silk blooming like a flower.
After planting their lima bean seeds, some children returned just five minutes later to check if the “little wait” had already worked and whether their lima beans had sprouted! There will certainly be much joy when the first little green shoots finally make themselves known.
This week the children will also keep busy and festive as we celebrate three Hummingbird birthdays. We look forward to sharing these special celebrations with the birthday children and their families.
Announcements & Reminders:
Hummingbird conferences will be held on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday of this week. Your prompt arrival is much appreciated as it allows sufficient time for each family to discuss their child’s school journey.
March 11-13: Hummingbird Parent Conferences
(March 12: Early release from 12:00-12:15 and no school on March 13)
March 18–19: Picture Day - Class photos will be taken, along with a makeup opportunity for students who missed photos in the fall.
April 1: Grandfriends Tea at 11:00 (All students and family members are welcome to join)
Warmly,
Ki Alycia
