December 2023
A Quiet Place
Constant Stimulation of your child’s senses
creates insensitivity.
They see so much they become blind.
They hear so much they become deaf.
They taste so much they become nauseated.
They desire so much they become forever unsatisfied.
They do not come to know that which truly satisfies.
It will be hard to create a quiet place where your children can find their souls.
You must first quiet your own world and then approach theirs.
They are accustomed to the barrage of noise
and will complain loudly in its absence. But you can find a quiet way.
What will you do today?
A walk?
A book?
A simple game?
The Parenting Tao Te Ching by William Martin
Water Clan - A preschooler got stuck on Wild Cat Rock last week. My philosophy is “if they can get themselves up, then they can get themselves down.” I don’t say that out loud but that’s what I am thinking. She wanted me to get her down and she wasn’t budging. Instead of telling her things like “I’m not going to help, you can do it,” or “I told you not to climb up there, now you can’t get down” which could further aggravate the situation, I told her “Here is what I am going to do—get your warm gloves ready, stand right by you and I won’t leave. First you climb down and then we can put on warm gloves.” First—Then statements let the child know what you are willing to do and what the expectation is from them without a power struggle. It also helps them know what’s happening next, once they do the thing they don’t want to do. It’s important to use a positive tone and language so they don’t go further into the resistant. In a loving and positive tone say something like “It’s ok that this is hard, and when you climb down we can put your gloves on—I bet they will feel so warm!” First—Then, one of the best tricks of Positive Discipline! My favorite book is Positive Discipline for Preschoolers in case that wasn’t already obvious!
Earth Clan - This month in Earth class we continue to do our sign language letter work, even coming up with their own symbols and beginning letter sounds during circle time. The students are helping to lead parts of our circle time and are continuing to practice rhyming, beginning sounds, and letters. We continue to practice math and reading songs as well. We have been searching and finding agates at the beach as well and loving it! We are going to capitalize on the rock frenzy and begin our rock unit in the next couple months! We are also talking about reading emotions on the faces of our friends and trying to hold space for them to share how they are feeling. Keep sharing the love in your hearts with your friends Earth class!
Air Clan -Air Clan kids are learning so much! Recently, we started playing the Same/Different game at Circle Time, which allows each child to notice, not only the differences between us (which tend to be front and center in our brains), but also the ways in which we share commonalities. Those common traits and values are what lead to connection and friendship. Academically, every student is engaged and working hard. They are learning to be responsible for all their gear and remembering how to take care of their own bodies in this cold season.
Fire Clan - It’s been a busy month for the Fire Clan, and we’re on track for December to be just as wild! These kids have been hard at work carving their Forest Family animal into a rubber block to make prints for Forest Family flags, greeting cards and other artwork. They’ve been sewing up a storm on Mondays with Ms. Holly’s ancestral lessons, making small gathering pouches or amulets to wear around their necks. Fire Clan kids are working hard and engaged during our literacy, math and writing academic blocks. They are taking leadership roles in our community by helping to lead all-school circle on Thursdays and organizing/mediating/teaching large games (without adult help) that include kids from preK—5th grade during unstructured time! They are also doing the hard and sometimes uncomfortable work of navigating changing and/or new friendships, speaking up for their needs with peers and adults, and sharing insights with each other respectfully. This class is working together wonderfully!
One of the best ways for kids to stay comfortable in the forest on cold and/or rainy days is to have the appropriate gear and food. We talk about it a lot with kids and parents, but want to make sure everyone is clear that the time is now! Sending kids with the following items to school every day will make their days more enjoyable and comfortable:
Mittens, hat, warm base layer, warm mid layer, warm heavy layer and rain layer.
Warm boots with wool socks. (Please pack extra socks for kids everyday in their backpacks) Also, please send a smallish hand towel for each kid to help clean off muddy wet hands.
Hand warmers (many options - disposable, rechargeable, Hot Snapz)
Warm food/tea - Warm food and tea helps kids to keep warm from the inside out!
