What a great first week of school! In just four short days, we have become more comfortable in the classroom environment, as well as begun to develop budding relationships with one another. The first few weeks of school will focus greatly on classroom routine. Understanding routine does not only involve remembering to wash our hands and put on our school shoes, but also understanding how to engage with classroom materials, how to transition along with the group, and how to participate in clean up. Once the foundation of classroom routine is set, the possibility of experiences are endless. Take for example, Indoor Exploration time. This is a time for children to explore the classroom environment, build in the construction area, investigate new materials on the light table, explore the impact of water on sand, take on the role of mother in the dramatic play, and more. This is also a time for us as teachers to work with children in smaller groups, and capture their understanding of the materials they engage in. For example, this week, children took to the dramatic play environment to begin cooking meals for one another. As an observer, I was able to question where the children were eating. This led to the idea of a restaurant, which led to multiple roles of chef, server, and customers. Our server used mock handwriting to imitate an adult’s writing and two children had the notion to create signs for the restaurant. A few girls were intrigued by beadwork this week and were eager to create necklaces and bracelets. When it was time to leave for the day, they decided the necklaces needed to be kept in a safe spot to return to the following day. A proposal was made to hang the necklaces from the bike wheel that hangs from the ceiling. The children have embraced the provocation to create a classroom chandelier. We will follow up this inquiry next week by providing the children more intricate beadwork. It is through these types of play and observation that we will capture our children’s developmental progress.
Another important routine that was focused on this week is Morning Meeting. Once everyone arrives, we gather at the carpet to begin each day. We believe that beginnings matter, therefore, setting the tone for the day is an important value in our morning routine. This is why we take the time to greet each child by name. This week, we sang a song that required keeping a rhythm and saying our name when it was our turn to do so. This required attention, active listening, and the important self regulatory skill of waiting. As children become more confident in our greetings, they will individually greet each other by name, possibly with a handshake or high five. Ask your child to share the name song with you from this week. Next week, we will learn a new greeting, as well as introduce new materials that will be available during Indoor Exploration time.
Another important routine that was focused on this week is Morning Meeting. Once everyone arrives, we gather at the carpet to begin each day. We believe that beginnings matter, therefore, setting the tone for the day is an important value in our morning routine. This is why we take the time to greet each child by name. This week, we sang a song that required keeping a rhythm and saying our name when it was our turn to do so. This required attention, active listening, and the important self regulatory skill of waiting. As children become more confident in our greetings, they will individually greet each other by name, possibly with a handshake or high five. Ask your child to share the name song with you from this week. Next week, we will learn a new greeting, as well as introduce new materials that will be available during Indoor Exploration time.