Grandmother Magic
As many early childhood programs across Maryland moved outdoors and our own program moved fully outdoors, we all soon discovered that there actually is such thing as bad weather. The answer, of course, is planning and figuring out how we begin our day in response to ANY kind of weather. In this case, we have something we call “grandmother magic” in crochet blankets and Teresa, our Seeds class teacher, a good bit of Tia magic.
There Will Be A Map
The year winds down. Only a few weeks, a handful of days, left. I’m specifically not counting , but this year’s Tracks class is keeping count in a way that others haven’t. “Is this the last day I play the rhythm,” one asks. I force myself to think. Ada answers, though. She seems better equipped to think of the bittersweet in the beginning/endings, thankfully.
No Strings Attached
String is something that adults attach to boats. And why? We have to be honest with ourselves here — is it because we think the string secures us? Protects us from losing something too precious to let go of? Not just the thing, but the little hand holding it? Is the string a tether that keeps childhood intact? The happiness of never losing a thing? No tears today! There’s this string that will hold us together!
Yellow Jacket Sisters
Three children had been stung by yellow jackets. The stings had not happened at school, but the memories and the desire to not be stung again ruled the day(s). Play and story came to the rescue.
The Parents Aren't the Problem
Parents embrace the play. They also question. They wonder. They also disagree. They worry. They want more information. Oh my goodness, it is as if they CARE about what is going on with their children. And isn't that what I do as well?