Early Childhood Packet 2, March 26, 2020
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For You Dear Caretakers
How are you?
It is snowing here at home. The birds are eating down the black sunflower seeds and I get to see my neighbors more. There are things to be grateful for. I am also having bouts of distress, disorientation and anxiety. All of that seems to be a healthy response to having our world changed almost overnight. So, I am doing what I know. Keeping a rhythm, hugging my family, reaching out to my friends when I feel like I can and looking for the silver linings. All the while holding space in my heart for those who are suffering far more than I am in this moment. It is a lot. We are working to balance our own stresses and fears, and you have your little ones at home too. So, that is a gift and hard work.
As adults, we often feel like we do not have enough time for ourselves and for our children. We feel like we have to ‘do’ rather than be. My adult son just returned from a long stay in Merida, Mexico. He is filled with spaciousness from his time there. He seems to understand some things I had forgotten. He hugs me every morning upon waking and every evening before bed. He has time to just sit on the couch, up close, talking about not very much and laughing. He takes his time with everything and looks with a sly smile when I try to rush him. He knows that there is actually no rush. He is reminding me that being present with each other is the most important thing. Wow. It is so remarkable to feel like someone always has time for you. It fills my cup. I am so grateful.
This is what we try to do as teachers with the children. We try to value the slowness in which children inherently swim. We try to dive down into that space as often as we can remember too, to meet them there, right where they are. When we can do it, we feel replenished too. In this strange and complicated moment, we have a great invitation to be with our children at least for a little bit of time each day, right where they are, in the wonder, slowness and connectedness that is childhood. We are invited by the children all the time to enter this stream of warmth and presence. The miracle of it is that we only need to dip in with them for a few moments to experience connection, for our children and ourselves to feel full. Then we can move into the work and activity of the day.
Presencing
is something that takes attention and practice, but the children are inviting us and teaching us how all the time. Be gentle with yourselves. Know that we are struggling to do it too. Together we will make our way.
With love, Michelle, Janine, Valerie, Rachel, Chris and Magdalena
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Schedule of Weekly Communications
Weekly Letter to Parents, Monday
Teachers will send weekly letters to parents on Mondays.
Weekly Office Hours, Wednesday, 1:30-3:00 and 7:00-8:30
Teachers will offer office hours by phone on Wednesdays from 1:30-3:00 and again from 7:00-8:30. Sign up for these sessions will be by email or doodle poll.
Weekly Distance Learning Packet
Together the Early Childhood Faculty crafts a weekly learning packet. It will be sent electronically to you on Thursdays.
Weekly Parent/Caregiver Group Meeting Offering, Thursdays, 7-8
We will offer a weekly Online or conference call Caregiver Meeting on Thursdays from 7-8.
Daily Emails (Monday-Friday)
Teachers will check emails morning and evening every weekday. Emails will be responded to within 24 hours
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A Story for Young Children
by Susan Perrow
This story can be found in many languages on Susan’s website. Go to her website, then click on the STORIES section, then click for the language that you would like ~
susanperrow.com
“So Little Gnome had to trust. And Little Gnome had to wait.”
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A Story for Older Children
(5 and 6 years old)
adapted from Barbara Klocek
“So, Suma and her siblings returned home to their parents and their large farm with many llamas and they all lived happily ever after.”
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And here is a fun hand washing poem
10 Little Fishies
A Hand Washing Poem/Song for Little Children by Susan Perrow
I have 10 little fishies,
That love the washing rule.
They have so many swims each day,
In water clean and cool.
Each little fishy finger,
Gets a soapy bubbly rub.
From its head down to its tail,
Then I rinse them in the tub.
My fishies need to have
Many swims and rubs each day -
Before I eat my food,
And after every play.
Each little fishy finger,
When I have used the loo,
Enjoys two soapy rubs,
Such important work to do!
Each time the fun is over,
I shake the water free,
Then dry the fishy fingers,
That all belong to me!
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Movement Activities
The Silver Fish
(Log rolling activity)
- Make sure your child has a soft place to roll on the floor (rug, comforter)
- The child imagines they are a fish, a silver fish who has gone to school to learn to roll in the waves.
- Child lies on the floor, arms stretched above their head, hands together and pointed. Their legs are together and toes pointed. The Silver fish stretches straight and strong, from their nose to their toes. The tip of the child’s fingers is the fish's nose.
(The caregiver can apply gentle pressure, massage, or help stretch and straighten the child's arms and legs.) The Child rolls straight and strong from one end of the rug to the other.
This activity provides opportunities for development of tactile, vestibular and proprioceptive senses.
Create an Obstacle Course
(indoors or outdoors)
Child or caregiver chooses from these elements and creates an agreed upon order
- Balancing
- Rolling
- Stepping stones (small objects to step from one to another)
- Climbing up
- Jumping down
- Tunneling under
- Skipping, hopping, running, backwards walking
Nature Activity
EARLY SPRING SCAVENGER HUNT
Head to your backyard or nearest conservation land, and see how many of these you can find with your child!
- 3 buds from different kinds of trees
- 5 shades of green
- 3 bird sounds
- 2 early spring insects
- a sprout of grass
- a place that could provide shelter for a bird
- mud
- a warm place and a cool place
- something soft, something sharp, something crunchy, something hard
- something you've never seen before
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Extra Challenges
My Little Pony Hand Clapping Game
The rhythm is:
slap your left thigh with your left palm (X)
slap your right thigh with your right palm (X)
clap your two hands to your partner's hands twice (X) (X)
All slap/clap at the same speed
Here is the verse:
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Indoor Sensory Activities
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Create a Sensory Bin
- Find a large container (a shallow plastic storage bin works well)
- Choose and add a material (beans, rice, cornmeal)
- Add scoops, cups, bowls, funnels. Add small toys - cars, animal or people figures
- Establish the boundaries for this activity (ie. The beans stay in the box. All pouring happens in or over the box. We all help clean up.)
- Sit nearby with your own activity
(so they feel your presence but you can each be engaged in your own world)
Washing Dishes
- Partially fill the sink, a dish bin, or large bowl with warm water
- Add soap to make bubbles (essential oil for scent if desired)
- Find a stool, crate or chair to allow child to reach water easily
- Find sturdy dishes that need washing
- Set up washing tools (sponge, dish cloth, bottle brush)
- Establish the boundaries for this activity (ie. The water stays in the sink. All pouring happens over the sink)
- Expect a lot of play and slow productivity.
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The Hartsbrook School
193 Bay Road, Hadley, MA 413-586-1908 x100
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